The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-01-02


tions Then it becomes the plain duty of Con-
gress to reconstruct this Court for even to this
extent, sooner or later, the issues decided in
that final appeal to the sword will be enforced
by the loyal States. This constitutional twad-
die Of Mr.. Justice Davis will no more stand the
fire Of public opinion than the bred Scott de
cision.
Europe-The Treaties Of 1Si5-The Holy
Alliance asd It's Consequence.
The year 1915 stands alone in the history Of
modern Europe. It marks the close of one and
the commencement Of another epoch. The
immense empire built up by Napoleon had
persisted by its own weight. Europe, from one
end to the other, was completely disorganized.
A huge organization, composed of emperors
and kings, planned its reconstruction. The
plans of this organization were embodied in
the Vienna treaties. II was the earnest hope
of many that the arrangements then effected,
backed up as they were by the forces Of the
Holy Alliance, would secure for Europe the
blessings of firm and lasting peace. Nor can
it be said that this hope was doomed to COM
piete disappointment. Compared with many
periods of corresponding length, that which
has siuce elapsed cannot be spoken Of in
other terms than as o period Of peace. 1t
would be in the last degree absurd, how
ever, to conclude that this comparative tran
quillity is due to the wisdom Of the Vienna
Conference or to the benevolent and Christian
intentions of the members Of the Holy Alliance;
for more selfish assembly than that which
met In Vienna to decide the destiny OF nations
never met in council; nor has greater con-
spiracy against the liberties of mankind than
that of the Holy Alliance ever existed.
Europe, since 1916, can only~be understood
when looked at by the light shed upon 1t by
the plans Of the Holy Alliance aud by the
treaty arrangements of Vienna. No one who
has given attention to the affairs of 1915 can
have any doubt that the allied Powers, in re-
constructing the map Of Europe, were influenced
mainly by two thoughts to undo as COM
pletely as possible the work of Napoleon, and
second, by an effcctual crippling Of the people
to guard against such work in future. In other
words, the reconstruction of Europe was ccn-
Quoted entirely in the interests OF the govern
ing classes. In no one instance were the wishes
of the people cared for. Spain and Portugal
were restored to their former masters. italy
was as completely divided MS she had been be-
fore the French domination, and was more
thoroughly under the power Of Austria than
ever. In every case. where there was
difference it was In favor Of the rulers.
Genoa and Venice, which were both robbed of
fhot fnHa uIo CIV
The union Of Belgium and Holland is another.
The non-tulf'mcnt of pledges solemnly and re-
pcatedly made to the people by all the German
governments during the heroic and selfsacri-
6cing struggle against the tyranny and oppres-
sion of Napoleon points in the same direction.
1t is difficult to speak of the treaties of 1915
with respec. 1t ID equally difficult TO explain
why those treaties were tolerated By the people,
except upon the principle that after the wasting
anxiety and misery Of years anything was &C.
ceptable which offered them temporary reposc.
The view We have taken of the Vienna
treaties has been amply illustrated during
the years which have since transpircd. Scarcely
were those treaties signed when disturbances
had arisen in Spain and PoItugal-disturb-
ances which wiser arrangement might easily
have prevented. The Italians almost immc-
distely arose against their rulers, whom
they regarded in the light Of oppres-
sors. Belgium refused to have her destiny
permanently united with that of Holland,
and was successful in eRecting . separation.
Tho French people remained quiet under tho
peaceful and benevolent government Of Louis
XVIII; bat their long suppressed feelings ex-
ploded under the reactionary policy Of Charles
K Nor was the change Of dynasty that
followed other than . compromise. The evil
sulA remained. The terrific outbreak Of 1885,
which appeared simultaneously in France, In
Italy, In Austria. in Prussia, and which, but
for the laundering Encouragement Of the re-
publicans Of Paris might have overturned
every government in Europe and resulted in
the complete triumph Of liberal principles, ID
| to be traced to the same cause. The events Of
the last four years are familiar to oil our
readers, and their bearing on the treaties Of
1915 are too patent to require illustration.
The treaties Of Vienna have been weighed In
the balances and they have proved to be I'M
mitigated failures.
One thing specially noticeable throughout
these years has been q growing power on the
part Of the people. They are evidently acqur-
ing q more perfect mastery Of themselves.
| With an increasing consciousness Of their just
| rights they are obtaining clearer perception
Of the means Of attaining them. In the crisis
which cannot be long delayed we are encour-
aged to believe that right and justice will
triumph, and that the treaties which shall de-
termine the future Of Europe will be made in
the interests Of the people and not in the In
| terests Of rulers.
BIT or ADVICE TO THE DEMOCRATIC ASSEM-
BLYMEN.--The New York representatives In the