Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-07-23
VOL. AZ: NO. 81

peoplo had learned their rightsand moaarcht
bad learned their power. Many Of the old
abuses which had been swept away BY The
reyolation were gone forever, and the new
monarchy goyorned with comparative Just
ice, Gberality and humanity.
/ The spirit of liberty bad entered into tho
hearts Of the people, and from time 10 time
asserted itself il various ways, and, in IS4S,
France retarned again to a Republic This
lasted but short lime, but the new mon
arch who oyertbreR it and established him.
self upon lis ruins, was constrained to ae-
knowledge the sovereignty Of the people,
and to profess TO accept lis crown by the
vote Of the majority While we cannot sag
much for the freedom Of that election, nor
believe that the result was the will Of the
people yet it was Of vast significance that
the usurPing government was compelled
70 claim lis title from preten1ed popular
election In many respects the Govern
ment Of Napoleon Ill has been excellent.
He has recognized the &c lom Of re'igiols
opinion He has protected lie people in
their persons and property He has en-.
couraged trade aud industry, stimulated
manufactures, and extended tbeircolnmerce
He has given them constitution which
creates legislative body, and guarantees
many rights and privileges. But the peo-
pie are not satisfied Tisey are denied lib
eriy Of speech and ofth press upon politi-
cal questions. They are not allowed to as
semble for the discussion Of measures in
which they are vital'y interested. Their
legislative body i 50 constructed and man
aged as to be a mere registry Of the will of
the Emperor The recent elections show
the spirit Of discomfort, and the existence
Of powerful party who understand their
rights and are determined to assert them.
peaeeably if they can. and, as we have rea-
s1n TO believe, fo-eibly ifthey must The
attentive observer, and student of French
history, is led 70 the conclusion that nothing
can preserve the throne aud dynasty Of Ma
poleon III, but the concession of popular
rights, and the establishment of freedom Of
speech, and of the press. of the elections,
and Of the legislative body.
The Republican sentiment Of France,
though it has been unfortunate, and from
time to time suppressed and apparently ex-
tinguished, il still vital, is growing in intel
ligence and power, and cannot be restrained,
unless monarchy becomes so liberal and
free as to confer the substantial benefit Of a
Republic
We cannot doubt that Napoleon appreci-
ates the situation, and IS preparing to make
such concessions as viii keep the popular
discomfort this side Of revolution.
The march Of liberty in Gerhany is slow
but steady. The great German family are
struggling for unity and freedom. The in
sttutions of Germany are becoming more
I liberal from year to year. aud the condition
Of the people better and happier
The evil Of large standing armies. anuu.
ally Withdrawing the young men from home
and productive pursuits, Is s6ll endured,
because Germany IS surrounded by war-like
and powerful enemies, clad in complete ar
NOR
But everywhere the tendency Of the Ger
man mind is to the fullest liberty of thought,
and TO the recognition Of the equal rights -
of men,
Austria, so long oppressed, feels and re-
spends to the impulse Of liberty. An intel
ligent Emperor. who has not shut his eyes
to what is going on in the world around
him, perceives that he cannot stem the pow
erful current everywhere setting in toward
free institutions, and that the security Of
his throne depends upon his coDceding to
the people, rights and privileges which have
been denied them since Austria was an EN-
pire, and giving back to Hungary the enjoy
ment of her ancient Constitution.
The abolition of9the Concordat, the esiab-
lishment of religious freedom, theequal tax
alton of all classes, are among the hopeful
beginnings Of Austrian reform.
Italy, the ancient seat of the power and
glory Of the Roman Empire land of histo-
ry. philosophy, poetry, music, painting,
sculpture and romance; land Of starry
climes and sunny skies, whose delicious
climate, lofty mountains, and beautiful val
leys and plains have ever excited the ad-
miration of the traveller and poet, has made
great progress in unity and freedom
Suffrage nearly universal, the habeas
corpus, freedom Of religion, and free schools,
are some Of the principal features Of italian
liberty.
The spirit Of liberty is abroad in Russia
mighty empire of the North, whose gov
ernment has represented the perfect idea Of
Absolute Despotism--an autoeratic power,
unrestrained by constitution or law. An
enlightened Car, animated by love for his
people, and perceiving the individual hap
piness and material prosperity produce d
| BY free institutions, abolished Slavery
throughout bis dominions, made TIE serfs
freemeu, and gave to them local free insti-
tutions, based upon the right Of suffrage.
Ii is true the imperial power still extends
over ala dark impenetrable canopy-bCt
beneath its shadow there is individual iber-
ty and local selfgoyernment. Thus far the
prosperous Re salt has established the VS.
DON of the Car, and may We not believe
that be has laid the foundations Of fee
government, 20 lie developed into g,aud
Republic in tie far future. and nearer, into
a Constitutional Monarchy with reGresen-
tatiyc institutions? Liberty is Ike living
seed wherever planted it WHITES, cxpsnds,
DEVELOPS Thus planted in Russia among
the lowest people and for local purposes, il
will grow, develop, and finally conquer.
Russia Is among the progressive nations, aud
is our friend ard il was The American ex
ample which touchtd the heart and intellect
of the Emperor
The spirit Of liberty 10 is onward marei
has invaded Spsin, and is stirring the greaI