The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-06-13
PROGRESS.


dominates such, and yet the world has
made, and is now making, substantial pro-
gress. Mankind are coming to better
understanding of the nature oftrue liberty.
What are and what are not the evidences
of progress constitute two important ques-
tions, and each might be considered sepa-
rately and to great length in the elucida-
ton Of the subject. Viewing this subject
o! progress and civilization from one stand
point, and considering one class Of facts
and evidences, the conclusion therefrom
would appear inevitable that the civiliza-
ton and progress Of which we boast so
much is but a short remove from the bar
barism of the dark ages Take single
fact and ponder upon tread, for instance,
the record of crime which daily appears in
the newspapers and note its unmistakable
increase. and to what other conclusion
could We legitimately come than this that
civilization is q humbug, and all our
boosted progress lie. That, after all, in
the multiplicity Of crime and in the dia-
bolism Of its manifestations, VIC have done
nothing more than to get up sort OF re-
fined system which is superior to anything
which existed in the leudal ages. This, how
ever, is but narrow view Of the whole ques-
ton of mans progress and destiny; and, il
it be admitted that there is an increase OF
crime, it must also be admitted that there
is an increase of virtue, of intelligence, Of
liberty, and Of all things which 60 to make
up the sum Of human welfare. When we
view the race in the aggregate, and note
the advance that has been made towards q
higher and better state, We can dismiss our
fears and say farewell to the views which
we have taken in from the narrow stand.
point and from the limited vision which
we cast out in one direction only in sur.
veying the field of crime.
Let us, for we can now only glance at
the subject point to few patent facts,
which denote the progress of the age. 1t
was only the other day that the Emperor
Of Austria, FRANcIs JosEPH was made
king Of Hungary. To those who did MOI
know, this appears but the extension Of thu
despotism OF Austria over Hungary. Their
is more than this in it, and though LOU
KossuTH may not have conquered, still tn
land of his birth so long Jenationalized, ha
again been created a nation. The restora
ton Of the constitutional liberties of Hun
gary is an event to be marked, and We ar,
not surprised, therefore, that the mobiles ant
the people held grand jubilee at Pesth
on the 9Th Of June. War sometimes
teaches nations what ages of preaching
may fail to impress upon them. II was SO
in our case, as We know, and through war
we got rid of slavery. 1t has been SO with
Austria. The disastrous battlefield Of
Sadowa taught her lesson, and it will not
be strange should this very conflict lead to
the political regeneration of all the Ger
manic States. When we look to Italy we
note her immense progress, in civil and re-
ligious freedom, since Prince EMANUEL
assembled the throne Of the United King
dom; and should this man do what some
allege that he will attempt to do, lead the
people back to the bigotry from which
they are emerging and restore the old
regiDsc he may look to retain his throne
but short time it must soon fall and his
reign will come to a speedy close.
We look to RussiaSand we SEQ serldom
abolished to the United States, and behold
slavery is no more; to Brazil and we see
the Emperor moving for its extinction.
Wherever we turn our attention, the people
are moving. And princes and potentates
are yielding to the peoples clamor fol
popular rights. In England, the Lords in
Parliament are daily making more and
more concession to the demand for uni
vcrsal suffrage, and JONI STUART MILE OBJ
tanned in the House Of Commons seventy,
three votes TO confer suffrage upon woman
Whatever, therefore, VIC may think o
say respecting the increase of crime, tn
world is making progress in intelligence
in virtue, in freedom, and in all those cor
stituent properties which enter into, an
which constitute the sum Of human welfar
and human happiness.
For truth shall conquer at the last,
50 round and round we run.
And ever the right comes uppermost
And ever is Justice DONE