The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-09-18

Reconstruction In Europe.
We live in peculiar age. It Is the age Of
steam and electricity and printing, of revolu-
tons and of public opinion; but dominant as
are these characteristics, it may with the utmost
propriety be described as the age Of recon
struction. Reconstruction is the dominant
question in the New World. From the Gulf to
the Arctic Ocean, from Halifax to San Fran
cisco, in Mexico, in the United States, in the
Canadas, reconstruction is the all-absorbing
topic Of discussion. A little later, and recon
struction will equally be the condition Of
South America, from Panama to Cape Horn.
As to the character of the America Of the
future, we are not debarred from indulging
the very highest hopes; but time and skill and
toll and sacrifice will all be found necessary
before the various States and nations have
settled down into q satisfactory and healthful
condition. When reconstruction shall be COM
pleted We may not have reached the millennium,
but we shall certainly have advanced to bet
ter and nobler state Of things.
Reconstruction is not less the condition of
the Old World. Within the last few years all
old things have been passing away many
ancient and venerated landmarks have disap-
peared institutions hoary with age have
persisted, and not few States and kingdoms
have sunk into the grave of oblivion. Many
old things have passed away, but all things
have not yet become new. 1t is the agony of
a new birth which is now convulsing Europe,
paralyzing trade and commerce, defeating all
calculation, and putting the most accomplished
and experienced statesm en- to their very wits
end. The doctors are, no doubt, doing their
BEST but the doctors, it is just as undoubted,
are sorely puzzled.
Ii would not be altogether an unpleasant
task to forecast with some minuteness of detail
the Europe that is to be. Judging from the
present aspect of things, and with the help of
some Of the HERALD's mysterious guides, we
think we can see picture like the following =
Italy, united and prosperous, with her national
capital on the seven hills, the seat of ancient
empire. Spain and Portugal, the theatres of
so much strife and revolution, no longer pur-
suing their separate ends, but united in heart
and aim, and under one vigorous central gov
eminent, giving fresh scope to the energies Of
their once high-spirited and enterprising people.
The various German States, including not only
the States Of the Southern Bund, but those as
we'll which still adhere to the House of Austria,
all gathered under one central government,
and forming one Of the most powerful, COM
pact and intelligent empires Of the world.
France still counting alliances, but less eager
for war, and consoled, 1t may be, for the growth
Of her northern neighbor by some Insignificant
patch on the banks Of the Rhine A Scandi-
navian union supplanting, or it may be only
giving new life, strength and purpose to Swe-
den, Norway and Denmark. Austria, if the
name continues, will transfer her headquarters
to Hungary, finding, it may be, for her losses
in Germany suitable compensation along the
banks Of the Danube and on the shores
Of the Euxine. The Turk, il not actu-
ally driven from Europe, will be shut
up in the narrowest possible limits, and out Of
the ruins Of his empire and under the patronage
Of Russia will be formed South Slavonian
kingdom. Russia, satisfied with having secured
the liberty and consequent gratitude Of her CO.
religionists, and probably despising, for time,
at least, the barren honor Of occupying Con-
stantinople, will give herself up to the work of
consolidation and development Greece will
benefit somewhat by the breaking up of the
European dominions Of the Sultan; but Greece
has yet to give proof that she is worthy of q
glorious future. Switzerland will remain rs she
is, nestled among her glorious hills Belgium
and Holland, as they cannot unite, may be left
for time undisturbed. The Latin Church will
give species Of unity to the Iberian kingdom,
Italy, France and Austria. The Greek Church
will give bond Of union to Russia, Greece and
South Slavonis. Germany and the Scsndina-
Wan Union, backed up by Great Britain, will
be the representatives Of Professionalism. Such
is the condition into which Europe is all but
certain to settle when the present reconstruc-
ton process shall be ended.
Whether this state Of things shall be reached
peacefully, or whether there must first be much
blackness and darkness and tempest, much
blood aud hre and vapor Of smoke, we shall
not venture to say. Our object simply is to call
attention 10 the fact that Europe is in this tran
sition state, Is undergoing this reconstruction
process, and that this il precisely the reason
why the situation is dificult-so difficult, indeed.
that Napoleon and Bismarck and the best of
them may yet be found TO have grievously mis-
calculated. The fates are more subtle than the
diplomatists, and in their strong grasp the
strength Of mighty armies IL weakness itself.
The Coming Fight.
The public has been excited over all sorts
Of fights. The fight between the oligarchy Of
Southern slave owners, with JEFF Davis at their
head, and the Northern ideas Of union and lib
erty, with Abe Lincoln as their standard bear