The New York herald., 1869-02-15

Tho Approaching serusgie In Europe.
Europe is just now under conditions which
have had no parallel since the time when the
States system began TO struggle into that pecu-
liar kind Of existence which, with certain mod
ifcations, has lasted for some centuries The
first Napoleon disturbed it for brief period.
But the first Napoleon rose and fell, and Europe
was not so different after his fall as Napoleon
believed it would be. Time has rolled on.
Europe has undergone changes. A new Ma
poleon has appeared, with new thoughts, new
plans, new purposes. The new Napoleon has
been compelled to admit the existence OF forces
which are not in perfect harmony with his
own. For the last twenty five years the arma-
ments Of Europe have been growing. They
have now reached point which has no pa
rallel in the history of the past Over five
millions of men are now under arms on
that. Continent. France, it is said, has an
army of one million three hundred and fifty
thousand. North and South Germany COM
bined have an army of one million two hum
dred and thirty thousand Austria has an
army of one million and fifty three thousand.
Russia has an army Of one million four hun
dred and sixty-seven thousand. Italy has an
army of nearly five hundred thousand. We
have not spoken of Spain or Portugal, or of
Denmark, or of Sweden, or of Holland, or of
Belgium, or of Greece, or of Turkey. But
from what we have said it will naturally
enough be inferred that Europe has seldom in
her whole history bristled with arms as she
does now.
What does it all mean2 It can only mean
that Europe is in no settled condition, and
that an appeal to arms at no distant
day is regarded as inevitable The truth
is Europe has come under entirely new
conditions. The railroad and the telegraph
have made the people impatient of the old
fashioned boundary lines. Why should the
nationalities remain what they are? Why
should the great future be stayed simply in
the interests of nationalities ? No one can
answer these questions in favor of the present
order of things. The peoples are gradually
emancipating themselves. They are no
longer entirely at the mercy Of the dynasties.
The press generally, but particularly the
newspaper, has given voice and an energy
to public opinion which public opinion never
had before. This growth of a common senti-
ment, limited not by nationality, by language
or by religion, but world wide in its range,
is one of the most prominent and also one OF
the most hopeful characteristics Of the age.
But the power is yet in the hands of the dy-
nasties. These immense standing armies are
unmstakable proof of this. The thrones are
propped by bayonets, and the prestige Of an
cient and parvenu houses alike can only be
maintained by the pomp and circumstance Of
war; The European nations are already at
war with each other; for this armed peace,
although It may breed fewer bitter enmi-
ties, is scarcely less grindingly oppressive and
even destructive than actual war.
This state Of things, however, cannot last.
A change is necessary and imminent. Europe
is on the eve Of great struggle. The strpg-
gle viii be for the mastery OF the Continent.
Not Immediately, but at an early day, Europe
win be arranged in two hostile divisions. 1t
VIII be the Latin races against the German
races. Which will win cannot for moment
be doubted. The Latins have had their
triumph. But there can be no second Roman
empire. The empire of Charlemagne, great
as in some senses it was, has not been called
a success by history. Held together by one
strong will, it perished when that cohesive
force ceased to exist. Napoleon the First
tried to build up the old edifice, but it
would not do. In spite of all his skill
the attempt proved an egregious failure.
The new empire persisted and its architect
perished with. it. The empire which shall
grow out Of the approaching struggle shall
find its headquarters In the North, and shall
be controlled by forces born in a northern
cline. The great German race is to rule
Europe, and through Europe the Old World,
the same great stock, Is to rule the New. We
shall have in Europe terrific conflicts. Nation
will war against nation; race will war
against race. But nations viii become less
numerous and races win amalgamate. Europe
Is doomed 10 become u great federal associa-
ton; but the centre Of the new association
win be found in the North, and the controlling
power win be In the hands Of the Germans.
We have nothing to do with fate. We.speak
only of force, and the history Of the ages and
the aspect Of the times justify our judgment.
END OF THE SPoIs PLAH.-0ur ancestors
OF not the most honorable memory held that
''to The victor belongs the spoil" This was o
figure drawn from the experiences of war,
but Of war in an age that did not understand
the true spirit that gives power to armies.