The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-03
THE HUSS ANNIVERSARY.
FROM the ". y. Herald.

At Prague, on the 4th, 9TH and 9Th of this
month-Saturday, Sunday, and Monday
will be celebrated the five hundreth annIver-
versary of the birthday of John Huss Great
preparations are on foot to give this festival
an imposing character. All parts of Bohemia
and Moravia will be represented by deputa-
tions. A large number of guests are invited
from Russia, Servia and other SlavOnic coun-
tries. France and England are also to send
their contingent of visitors 1t is stated that
Guizot, Victor Hugo, and other distinguished
Frenchmen will be present. This festival,
intended to do honor to the memory of a man
who inaugurated one of the most remarkable
movements in medieval Europe, is sugges-
tive of many reflections at the present time.
1t is four hundred and ffty-four years since
John Huss was burnt by order of the Council
of Constance, and after death his ashes scat
tered to the winds. According to the SEN
tence his body was delivered to the fire and
his soul to the devils. This was done although
a German emperor had pledged his word to
give the great Doctor of Prague a safe con-
duct to the council and back.
1t was supposed that with the death of Huss
the ideas which he represented would be
| stitled. What was the result All Bohemia
rose up. and for twelve years undiscipllned
| peasants babe defiance to the best troops
| which the empire could send against them,
and compelled Rome and Germany to make
terms with men whom they affected to look
| upon as heretics and rebels. All this would
have but little interest at the present day,
except for the student of history, were it not
| for the fact that questions raised in Bohemia
| by Huss i'll the fifteenth century are pre-emi-
nently the questions of to-day i'll Europe. On
their proper settlement depend the peace and
development of the world OF these ques-
tions one is political and the other religious.
At the present time peoples Of the same
aroC triNy In than
selves into homogeneous groups. This has
given rise to what is now called the question
of nationalities, which is without doubt the
chief POLITICAL question of Europe in our
time. The great struggles and rivalries are
between governments which have placed
themselves at the head of the national move
ment and those whose personal or dynastc
interests are opposed to 1T. The anlmatlng
idea of Germany is united fatherand, which
till Bismarlks time seemed to be merely q
dream of poets, but which since the battle OF
Sadowa is fast becoming a reality.
Austria. unable to bring about Ger
man unitv does not wish that il
should take place under the auspices of hel
J great rival; hence the grievances OF Count
: Beust. who, if we may believe his speeches
I and despatches bestows much unrequitet
r love on ungratetul Prussia france, o.
= course. cannot but give a word OF sympathy
}. to the ill-used Austrian Chancellor She sym
pathizes with his separatist movements, fear
ing that a united Germany might have too
much significance, and the 'Grande Nation
Al be forced to take a second instead OF the frs
e place in Western Europe. Italy is yearnin1G
Il and struggling for national unity; but tn
le Pope stands in the way. The Slavonic ant
l. Greek populations of Turkey are struggling
d. for position among the Christian nations
le the earth Western Europe, or at least tn
ID Governments, affects to believe that the rul'
OF of the ''sick man. is wise dispensation o
st Providence.
IL Everywhere we find the traditions and in
u; sututions of ages of conquest and violenc
OF coming in conflict with the legitimate aspira
81 tlons and tendencies of the people. Th
ey struggle may be long, but its issue cannot b
OF doubtful. On every side we find the questio
or OF nationahties to be the question taken u
as by the people, and as such destined to col