Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1870-08-04
The DIVINE RIsHr or KINGs.-The Nc

The DIVINE RIGHr OF kINGs.-The ac-
tual struggle in Europe is not over the
succession of Spain, the recti6cation of the
frontiers Of France, or the faithful execu-
ton of the treaty of Prague in respect to
Schleswig- Holstein and the fortresses along
the Rhine much less over any mere in
suit which the Prussian monarch NAV have
offered to the minister of the French ma
ton. The informing spirit of the contest
is derived from lower deep than causes
like these. Prussia will let the world
know what it is, if she should come of
victorious. The mistress Of all Germany.
having Denmark under foot. having grasp
ed Holland and then Belgium by the aid
Of Russia, that seeks in return to swallow
up Turkey and fasten herself on the Med
iterranean-thc civilizing influences Of
France and England being turned back
from Egypt and the easr-France, with
her ideas Of liberty and progress. circum-
scribed by the boldest military power that
ever supported throne-what becomes of
the hope Of popular freedom and liberal
ideas in Europe then? 1t strikes US that
the American people must sympathise in
such struggle with the cause of France.
remembering the historic attachment and
realising that the future of freedom, not
only in Europe but throughout the world
is bound up in the encounter.
Prussia's aim is for military ascendan-
cy. What she has thus far gained she
has gained BY the sheer force Of arms
Four years have been ample time in which
to develop policy Of popular progress. if
one such was ever cherished by the Ho-
henzollern dynasty; but we can detect no
measure of conciliation towards the Ger
man States. no act Of justice profercd to
the duchies wrested from little Denmark,
no relenting of the hard military power
that is entrenched at Berlin toward the
liberal party of Prussia or Germany. If
France draws the sword to suppress dis
contents in Paris or the provinces, much
more truly may it be averred that Prus-
STA puts on the iron peaked helment to ST.
lence the growing demands of the liberals
for reduction Of the military establish
ment.
The growth Of Prussia. on the princi-
pic that governs her. would shortly be re-
scented by the combination of all the wes-
tern powers. With Russia, she stands
ready to divide the spoils as fast a. they
can be secured. We have sketched the
outline Of the consequence already. Does
such purely military government. sup
porting throne which symbolises no idea
of the present age, promise anything for
trade and commerce. for enterprise and
invention, for the diffusion Of popular lib
erty and the growth Of popular power?
France, however governed. still repre-
sents the age Of oceanic canals and Al
pine tunnels, cfsteam lines. manufactures,
art. science and advancing civilisation.-
Frederick William appeals to none Of these
in bis ambitious absorption Of the German
States. With him and his dynasty, il d
thrones and supporting armies. . people
trained to obey, and first and last The old.
long-exploded dogma Of ''the divine right
Of kings."
Let such Q spirit have it, head amone
the smaller and weaker States of Europc,
with South Germany. and next With Hol-
land and Belgium. ~ with Denmark 81
ready, and Roumania, and - Wa aGtempt-
cd with disnantled Spain. and We of this
eootiscut would III tAaa ws - lsss q
great light i IL world We Refps %
seeepe he ar1egle neu ope3ed On %
grind ssals q oae hetvesa single Dr.
nssties. HPrsaia forms her expected
alliance With Russia. Tie liberal ideas Of
the century viii themselves be pus IN icon
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