The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-13
European Topics,


misses to be scarcely less exciting and import
ant than the Presidential contest in the
United States. Perhaps even greater interest
is attached in England to the struggle for Par
lamentary power on account of the fact that
while scarcely doubt is entertained in this
country of the election of Grant and Colfax
a considerable degree of uncertainty surrounds
the British canvass. The chances are appa-
rently in favor of the Wings, but in view OF
the new elements introduced into the contest
by the discussion of the Irish Church gues-
tioD, and by the extension of the right of
suffrage, the result cannot be predicted with
much confidence. A striking illustration of
the rottenness of the English electoral system,
notwithstanding the many efforts to reform
it, has recently been given by the change
in the representation of an important
district which has been effected by young
school-boy. He is Marquis, owning the
landed property occupied by the electors, and
having, for such reasons as seemed to bis own
mind conclusive, deemed it fitting that the
politics of the sitting member should be
changed, he has issued vermillion edict
which the free and independent electors are
expected to obey without murmur. Thus
the slavish old doctrine, that the lord of the
manor should control the votes of his tenantry,
seems to remain in full force, and it is only in
portion of the districts that the real voice of the
people can find expression. Considering that
open bribery prevails to frightful extent in
many of the English districts where the voters
possess a comparative freedom of choice, and
that in others they vote, not as their judg-
ments dictate, but as they are directed by their
feudal lords it is evident that with all her pro-
fessions of liberality, and boasts of progress.
Great Britain has made but slight advance
on the highway OF true Republican freedom.
The influence of her aristocracy remains
supreme, no matter which party triumph, and
in her warmest contests, the question after all
is as one of her many novelists has described
it, mainly whether Lord Poodle or Lord Moo
die should exercise controlling power.
A recent speech of the Emperor of France,
which is apparently mere commonplace
effort, has again set the critics to disputing
whether he intends to maintain peace or to in
augurate a war. There is nothing in his re-
marks, or the occasion which called them
forth, to justify this discussion, and it could
scarcely have been started if the Emperor was
not in the habit of occasionally indicating
in oracular sentences his policy on
great questions. He is evidently de-
termined to be prepared for war, but there
at present no sufficient motive for precpi-
tating a conflict. He has recently endeavored
10 confirm and strengthen his friendly rela-
tions with England, and he still maintains
apparently, his entente cordiale with Austria,
and if he has not forgiven Bismark, he ap-
pears to have no good reason at present for
precipitating a conflict with Prussia. 1t has
been suggested that the real design of
the French Emperor is to attempt
in the present revolutionary condition
of Spain, to gain control of that
distracted country, and thus rather initiate
than punish the ambitious Prime Minister o.
the North German Confederaoy. This may
prove mere idle conjecture, but in no other
direction could the French monarch seek with
equal hope of success territorial aggrandize-
ment, and the French people are growing tired
of fighting other peoples battles for mere
glory.
Baron Beust, has recently written significant
reply to the allocution of the Pope, from
which it clearly appears that the new policy
of religious freedom is to be firmly maintained,
and that any further interference from Rome
will provoke retaliatory measures inimioal to
Catholic interests.
A pacific interview between the Gear of Rus
sia and the King of Prussia occurred at
Langensohwalback, on the llth instant These
monarChs probably intend to perfect and
maintain close alliance, as an offset to the
alliance between France and Austria, and it is
settled part of their policy to cultivate
friendly relations with the United States
From the Czar we recently obtained Alaska,
and from the North German Confederation the
first treaty which fairly and fully recognized
the right of adopted citizens to change their
allegiance.
We regret to learn that it is reported from
Russia that the benefits of emancipation have
been greatly weakened, If not entirely neu-
tralized by the idleness Of the serfs and their
inordinate love for brandy. They have con-
strued freedom into license for intomperance
and an abandonment of all forms OF
useful industry, and as natural re-
suit production has greatly diminished
and some districts, once fertile, are now
threatened with famine. The freedmen
OF the Southern States appear to have. passed
the ordeal OF emancipation in a much more