The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-20
first it might be thought very simple matter.

Say they
"There will be merely q vote. a simple resolu-
tion-st the most the taking an attitude. the
upon the coast of Spain, and your duty is full.
filled; no more will be spoken of monarchy
Europe will be republican without firing
shot"
We would certainly be unworthy the title
of republicans and the name Of men If we
refused vote and vessel to free Europe from
the crowned tyrants and armed despotisms
that have for ages crushed out its liberties,
ground out its life, and tTampled down its
people. Congress shall take the vote, Farra-
gut will command the ship, and-Man will be
enfranchisedi
But hold Suppose a cloud should arise in
yon clear heavens, and storm burst forth
threatening to shake the world, what then
Why then thus shall it be;-
"Should there be a struggle. as there is cause
to fear, you will not fail TO send n fleet to pro-
tect your citizens. Very well; in this mission
of defense include the republicans All re.
publicans are your citizens"
Ay, indeed Here we have battle in earn
est, war with vengeance, and world in
arms 1t begins with snowflake" vote,
and ends with planetary cataclysm
1t is feared, say the radical Democratic-Rs-
publican delegates, who represent "all nations
assembled in public meetings." that France,
Prussia, and their allies may take a part in
the Spanish imbroglio. 1t is feared that the
tyrants may combine; and it is in that event,
to take issue with them that we are called
upon in the name of liberty. This is the
appeal
We have had many appeals of this kind
before from the Radical Liberals of Europe.
They always touch our feelings and sympa-
thies. We have heard them in the matchess
eloquence of Kossuth. We have felt them in
the strong language of Garibaldi. We have
read them in the passionate rhetoric of MAJ
zini. They come from earnest men, and
from the depths of their souls. We cannot
hear them without response of the heart.
We cannot refuse them without grief at its
necessity.
But that which is impractcable and impos
sible--tbat which would be ruinous in the
very attempt-that which would bring defeat
as its first result and dismay as its inevitable
consequence-that whose assured effect would
be the damage of the cause it was started to
serve-might as well, first as last, be under
stood as sure of refusal.
And yet we know that upon the American
Republic is imposed mission for freedom and
republicanism thrOug ghout the world not to be
shiIked. 1t is our mission to hold up before
the nations the high attractions of democracy,
the greatness of a free people, the supremacy
OF man. 1t is our mission TO develop from the
democratic idea better government, purer
society, wiser and JuSter laws, and higher
type of national character, than have ever
been possible under system of repression and
spotism-under kings and aristocraces, and
great armies and ecclesiastical establishments
under Machiavellianism and intrigue or
Casarism and force. When our developed
power and character shall be unfolded to- the
world-when we are able to display the result
OF institutions hardly yet complete in their
formation. every despotism in Europe will be
undermined, and the reign of the people will
be established. But were we to go forth in
folly and madness, fighting for Spain aud
Hungary, and Italy aud Ireland, and Crete
and Cuba, we should quickly find our own
power undermined, and the Great Republic
CONSIGNED to history.