Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-10-11
The Question of the Day.

The tendency of the age is to
expansion. Under the influences of
steam, electricity, and civilization,
old political landmarks are being re-
moved, and the limits OF the larger
governments are being extended.
Steam and electricity are powers by
which Nature herself carries on some
of her most important operations;
and our Christian civilization has
given these mighty agencies into the
hands of men. These agencies are
some of the laws of Nature; and,
when welded by men, they will tend
to bring their affairs into accord with
all the other laws of Nature. Hence,
the divisions of race, which are ma
tural divisions, will have more weight
hereafter in political matters than
the mere artificial divisions Of govern
ments, tribes, or nations.
In Europe there are three princi.
pal races, which are markedly dis
tinguished from each other by origin,
religion, and manners and habits.
ThesChristian civilization is tending
to unity these races, and will operate,
ultimately, to obliterate the lines
which now divide them; but as pre-
sently conditioned, they are as liable
| Lo +brouo .D+o bactiIa ra1o+io
to each other as mere governments
and tribes were hundred years ago.
These races are the Slavic race, in
the northeastern part Of Europe, the
Teutonic race, in Central Europe,
and the Latin race, in Southwestern
Europe. The first consists princi-
pally of the Russians; the second, OF
English, Dutch and Germans, embrac-
ing the Scandinavians; and the third
embraces the French, Portuguese
Spanish Italians, part Of Austria,
and the Danubian principalities, or
Kingdom ofRoumania. The religion
of the first race is Greek Catholic,
that Of the second is Protestant, and
that of the third is Roman Catholic;
and each race may be regarded as
containing about one hundred millions
of souls, or three hundred millions
in all.
1t is quite natural that among races
marked by such distinct peculiarities
Of religion, language and manners,
there should exist a strife for the
predominance; and especially when
crowded into a space not much larger
than that of the United States. As
there is hardly room enough for them
all, and as each must aim for preemin-
ence, under a gloomy, Respondent
sense of decline, in case of failure,
| there are great stimulants to action
for gaining the ascendency.
Besides this general motive for &C
ton, there is another cause operating,
which is felt by the Latin race more
| powerfully than by the others, and
which impels that race to take the
initiative. That cause is this: the
migratory flow Of the human race is
from the East towards the West;
and hence, there is a pressure of the
Slavic race ubon the Teutonic, and
of the Teutonic race upon the Latin
race. which feels crowded down into
the southwestern part Of Europe. 1t
was naturally from that quarter of
Europe that the explorer set forth.
stimulated doubtless, by the Eruption
of Turks into Eastern Europe, to open
new world for receiving the growing
/ millions of the old. But it is remark
able that, willie the Latin race soon
/ overran and occupied large part of
/ the new world, yet since that period,
it is the Teutonic race, chiefly, that
migrates to America, while the Latins
stay at home in their ancient seat.
| The Slavic race, also, stay at home,
and are pressing constantly, instinct
lively, habituaIIy, and by policy, to-
wards the Bosphorus and Western
Europe Add to this the fact that
the Slavic and Teutonic races are
both robust, vigorous, and rapidly
increasing in numbers, while the Latin
race increases but very slowly, and
we can see why France, the acknowl
edged head of the Latin race, feels
compelled to some decisive energetic
course Of action, in order to save it
self from decadcnce and decay.
Napoleon l., born on an island in
the midst, as it were, of the govern
ments into which the Latin race was
then divided, formed the scheme of
uniting the whole race under his own
leadership. And not only this, but
be sought to form an alliance between
the Teutons and the Latins, in order
to push back the heavy pressure from
the Slavic race. But Napoleon l.
was half a century in advance of his
times; and it has been the leading
object with Napoleon Ill, ever since
his ascension to the throne, to renew
the policy of his uncle. His success,
thus far, has been wonderful. He has
removed the little governments into
which Italy was divided, and by which
Italian power was lost, (it always
being the policy of the people to d.
vide the political power, in order that
The church might rule , he has formed
a close alliance with Austria, closer
than that formed by Napoleon |, in
his marriage with an archduchess; be
has dethroned Isabella Of, Spain, and
has virtually brought that kingdom ur.
; der his control; and, to conclude all
not a few will believe that, by his
: inaction in 1866, he has laid Prussia
under diplomatic obligations to keep
+ the peace, while the Latin power i;
: being transferred once more to the
L Bosphorus, and the Slavic race is
taught that its true course is toward,
the unoccupied wilds of Asia, anC
. not towards the West. The NANTES
i tendency is towards the consolidation
9 of all the German powers under
Il Prussia, while the Latin race shall
again embrace the population upor
; the eastern bank Of the Danube.
t The Latin race is now restricted
t in its limits; it must expand eitheI
/ to the East or the West, or it mus
9. lnnlinn nnA Lo,o.,,n nhrnrhnl -. IL.