Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1866-10-27

ABsorrS Lscruns.-Ws would regret
very much to see the literary and intellec.
tual character o. he citizens Of Davcnpo--
Judged by the attendance at the lecture OIL
Rev. Jno. 8. G. Abbott, st Metropolitan
Hall. last evening. wssxpsessd y ~ he
gifted historian greeted ~ith . crowded
house. On the contrary, however, any
strolling band Of negro minstrels could have
drawn . larger sssemblsge. Nr. Abbott's
elucidation Of the European question :"
wss very simple, concise, end sstisfsc'sry.
His old time, and somewhat extravagant
sdmiraten Of the First Napoleon. b reflected
too much upon the present Emperor 70 be
very pleasing . Aresicaa hearers who
have the Mexican outrage fresh in their
minds. In Mr. Abbott's opinion. the Empire
established BY Napoleon l, wis immeasura-
bly, superior to oil other governments on
the continent. iu that prince end peasant
we're dealt with alike before the law, and
that rank and birth had no superiority over
talent IN the racs for position. To crush oct
THE daring Innovation, all the despols Of
Europe combined, and nssss ceassd The
struggle till the Bourbons wsss 'sinstated
on the throne OF France. Az Italy had
tasted the sweets Of liberty, Il wss resolved
to bind il, hand and foot, and over every
province vas placed some satrap Of the
Austrian Empire, TO keep guard over pat-
riotism. and wiring princs'y revenues from
the suffering psopls. From these disposi
tions sprung che celebrated treaty Of 1915.
which NJ. Abbott characterized - Q com
bins'ioo Of desPots against the liberties Of
mankind, and against he csmuonsss die
tatss Of humanity.
When Victor Emanuel inherited the throne
Of Sardinia, it was With The ambition OF ~.
generating aud uniting his native land, end
Of introducing therein the code Of the
French Emperor. A the present Emperor
held his throne in opposition to the wishes
Of al Europe excepting Victor Emanuel. i,
was but natural that the two royal reform.
ers ould entertain . sympathy aud friend
ship for Que another. Ia Sardiois France
saw necessary and reliable ally. Fearing
that victor's liberal measures might engeo
der discomfort in the Austrian provinces
that bOrdered on Sardin;a, Francis Joseph
communicated his desire for more despotic
measures. Ills threats received no apparsu,
attention, and two hundred thousand troops
were concent' a,cd0n the Sandman frontier.
In the war that ensued, a. every general
reader Is aware, France bore . prominent
part, and Austria was shorn Of oil her ltal
ian provinces. excepting Venitia. A. shs
instance Of oil the other great powers. Na,
poleon was forced to pause IN bis victorious
course, leaving his rhole aim unaccomplish.
ed. Imma,usl improved the interval. how
ever, in consolidating bis power and calmly
aw .,iting an opportunity to renew the strug
gle. This soon came. Prussia, then Z
second rate power, animated by the am ,
tion Of Bi-mark, determined on the acquisi-
,ion Of S;hleswig and Holstein, which it
conjunction with Austria, it had wrune
from Denmark. The lecturer give minute
narrative Of the Prussian aims in endeavor-
ing to secure the two d,minutive provinces
which may be condensed into the fact thu
che desired seaport IN that quarter. A,
Austria vas overwhelmingly her superior
she turned to Italy for aid, relying on th,
strength Of the Venetian question. 1tsl,
was ready. and with Gsribald, on one hand
and the terrible needle guns on the other
the power Of Austria was soon broker, Ital
completely restored, and Prussia raised 4
= foremost rank among nations. Ar. Abbott
characterized the present - the sublimss
era Of history, and Vas Of the opinion tha
great changes would soon occur, completed!
rsconstructihs the map Of Europe, an,
building up three colossal powsrs. Russi
with her seventy millions Of Inhabitants
would soon absorb Turkey in Europe, AM
constitute the first power. France AM
I'aly, essentially one empire, with sixty
four millions Of iuhabitants Y uld consti
tute the s, cond power, afscs the addition 4
France Of the coveted Rhinish provinces
which, Mr.. Abbott believed, would soon oc
cur. Prussia, with the recent conquest
xhich she had determined 10 hold, woul,
constitute the third power, with popula
ton Of thirty-six millions. In the ives,
Mr.. Abbott believed the Republic woul
eventually absorb the whole contiasnt, On
reach such state Of power and isdepsnd
e7cs, that were ell the rest Of the world +
s,nk in the sea, very respectable univers
might here b found.