Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-09-27
The War in Europe.

it. Crowned heads fight for the
balance of power; God works for
higher Christian civilization. The
enginery of carnage, the shock of
armies, are terrific, but amidst the
roar and turmoil, "a still small voice
is present, more potent than all. 1t
penetrateS where cannon balls and
steel can never 60, and pro-
duces results which physical force
can never accomplish. Ideas under
lie the war, and will survive it. En-
rope is to take an entirely new atti-
tude, start on a new race of progress,
rise to a higher civilization, and a
better work for humanity, from this /
time onward. America will be safer
and better for it, and the world will |
be safer and better for it, and the |
world will be the gamer. The world |
is not as large as formerly; it was
three years around it, it is now scarce |
three minutes, so that American ideas
are more Immediately and deeply felt
in Europe, and European ideas affect
US more than formerly.
But how is Christian civilization to
be the gamer? First, this war ends the
foolish dogma of the "balance of pow
err" We are to have no more Of
that. Balance Of power" means
immense standing armies, crushing
taxation, despotism, constant wars
and hinderance to human progress.
A united Germany decides who is to
be dictator in Europe. That settled,
the nations can disarm and trust to
justice, since it viii be usele5 to ap-
peal to arms.
And united Germany means a
free people. The chief intolerance
to German liberty has been their
divisions into petty despotisms. The
people have been separated into frac-
tions and could not act together;
their despots were at their doors, and
so numerous and vigilant, that the
voice of the people was stidod in the
dictations Of dukes and princes. One
central government brings them TO-
gether and makes them one people,
homogeneous in interest, nationality
and aims. This accomplished, their
voice, through their Parliament, viii
be invinciDle; their monarchy will
become like that Of England, nominal
the people will be free. Their edu-
cation, their popular ideas, their reIi-
gion, and their intimate relations
with America, inevitably lead to this
result. The petty despots, who have
held them in sections, divide and OPP
pressed, hated liberty, but the people
are in advance Of any other nation
ality, except our own, il their coucep-
ti0ns of the right Of man and they
are not likely to retrograde, sin .
their petty dukedoms have been swal-
lowed up liz one central government.
1 The war WITH Austria did much to
effect this; the war with France will
complete it. For the sake Of liberty.
we hope that the work Will be thor
oughly done. When the whole Ger
man people freely in.ermingle, act
together, feel the dignity Of their
4 position, appreciate their rights and
duties, they viii not only be free
themselves, but by silent, peaceful in
/ fuence. will give constitutional gov
eminent and civil rest to the nations
around them.
And what renders this all the
more certain is the fact that Prussia
is Protestant. Her Christianity is
not Of the highest type, but vastly
superior to Papacy. 1t does not
/ foster ignorance and oppose popular
education, as Papacy does, but pro
mote it with enthusiasm. The Bible
| is not forbidden; liberty Of conscience
. is allowed, religious prescriptions are
yielding to better ideas, and ultimate
freedom in religion Is at hand 4 bad
religion ALWAYS makes bad govern.
ment 4 Dnre Christianity necessi
tates liberty. The superiority Of hel
religion has Injured superiority in edu
ca,ion. in Intelligence. force IF charac
ter. and placed Germany where She
now stands, at the heal Of European
powers. Character lies back of the
needle gun. religion and the spelling
book do more for her than weapon.
Of war. PapacY. and the conzequcn.
/ ignorance nd decentralization il
France, are the real source Of all hcI
disasters.
This great war marks the seconl
stage Of the reformation. Protestant
ism is heuceforlh to rule Europe. Pa
, pal u8urpatious, Concordats and Bull
, are no more to be dreaded. The Pa
pal nations cannot withstand the NOR
al influence of Protestant Prussi
and England. The intelligence, power
enterprise and prestige Of the worlt
will be on the side of Bible readers
= Can there be any duobt about til
= ultimate results of this state Of thing
! upon Italy, Spain, France, and Austria
. The bands Of superstition and relig
Gus despotism will be dissolved.
: Papacy stands, it will be in spite {
4 advancing light, Sharp discussion
+ severe criticism. general education
And this state oftIines must rreatI
improve the religious condition {
l Prussia itself. the more will he 4,