Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-10-07
= Tre netrlbutlon of history.

History is the experience of nations
Her lessons should guido their course
but lust as individuals are frequently need
less of the teachings Of tIeir own clearly
houobt experience, so nations shut their
ewes to the warnings of history until they
have to mourn over their blindness IN
sackcloth and ashes.
Nations have no souls to be punished IN
the world to come, hence their punish
nent must come In this. For them the
"nills of the Gods grind slowly put
retribution oyertakes them sooner or later
and chastises their national iniquities
"He that exalteth himself shall be
abased," True of nations as Of lndiVld-
uaIs
It is interesting and instructive to
study these retributions Of history and II
those who have it in their power to decide
of peace or war would ponder them more
carefully, how they would shrink from
drawing the sword for purposes of an
bition.
Look ate the downfall OF the colossal
empire OF Charles ", embracing Austria,
Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Mexico,
Peru, Naples, Sicily and the greater part
of Italy, and the Spice Islands of the far
East. AS the gigantic statue OF Nebu-
chadnezzar's vision was shattered by
little stone, SO this huge empire received
its first mortal blow from the dcsplsed
burehers and fishermen OF the Neither
lands. What is Spain now and whcro the
plories of the House Of Austria?
rCFuu;nCr in lp1' NF.Ie TO
listen to the petition Of her North Amerl-
can colonies, and thereby losing the mag
nifieent empire of the West. Look ct her,
who once SO arrogaDtiy dictated to the
world, now reduced to O second-rate power
whose voice is UNDECIDED and nnaskod.
Then turn to that marquisato OF Bran
denburg-now the kingdom OF PRUSSIA
The first great impulse to its progress was
given by Ferdinand the Great, and COM
menced with the epoliation Of Silesla, as
barefaced an act OF robbery as WIS ever
perpetrated by any nation, cIvlHHed or
barbarous. From that day to this, Prussia
has increased her territory by similar
means. But see what terrible retrIputIon
came upon her in 1906, when, after lena,
her capital, and all her territory were
utterly at the mercy OF the conqueror'
And Austria and Russia, her accomplices
in that shameful crime--tho Partition OF
Poland-they, too. felt the hand OF retrl-
button when their armies, being defeated
on the field, tho one surrenderinR Vienna
and the other destroying Moscow to avoid
greater evils.
Now came the turn of France. When
first aroused to arms for the defence OF her
territory and her liberties, her cause was
that of Justice and freedom {; but when the
soldiers of the Republic became the Pl@
torians of an Emperor, they s0bserged only
the ambition of despOt Then swift and
fierce retribution came down npon her.
Twice in two years tho Cossacks OF the
Don, the Pandours of tho Danube, water
ed their horses in the waters of the Seine,
and her humiliation gavo q memorable les
son to all the world.
Coming down 10 Our own day
Russia, animated by ambition and
the lust of conquest, threatens thu
conquest of Turkey. Franco and England
seeing their interest endangered, interfere
and by the destruction of SebastopOl, and 0
the Russian fleet sunk in its harbor, effec
tually bring down the Mocovito pride, ant
for time, check the course of Russia
ambition.
Five years later comes the italian war, il
which unluclzy Austria loses LIombardy
seven years afterwards comes the Sadow
campaign, in consequence of which sh
loses Venice and her last foothold in Italy
and finds herself excluded from Germany
Now, let US look at the retribution whic
these nations see in the disasters OF France
England, deeply mortified by the con
tSasts between the British and FfcncI
armies in the Crimea, is glonting owe
French defeats and secs in them n com
pensation for her humiliation.
Austria and Russin, both defeated b
France, now find their revenge i
the terrible misfortuncs of the lat
ter. Prussia is settling their score
of retribution with France and, i
her satisfaction at this result, Austria
willing to forget for a time tho shame c
Sadowa. Italy, too, kept out Of her right
full Capital by the Imperial policy, doe
not regret overmuch the disasters whlc
enable her to plant her tri-color upon tn
dome of st. Peter aud the Castle OF 81
Angelo.
Prussia seems to have no obstacle IN be
career of success, but, although othe
nations may find satisfaction in her hu
initiation of France, the day OF retributio
is coming for her, too, and at no distar
time. Starting in 1866 upon new cares
of aggression, she first kicked Austria OF
of the joint occupation of the Duohit
which she took from Denmark, and appr'
priated them to herself The next step WI
theseizure and annexation ofHanover by
barefaced robbery as that of Silesia, an
che defeat of Austria followed by the virt'