The New York herald., 1870-03-16

Influence Upon tho Destiny of Nations.
The boundaries and destiny Of nations and
empires through all ages up to the present
time have been marked ont by the sword The
great heroic names of history, which are as
familiar as household words all over the world
are those Of men who subjueated nations and
created empires through rivers Of blood. The
right of the strongest in war has been the law
to which mankind have submitted. 1t was so
from the earliest recorded history, in pagan
and Christian times and countries and under
all forms of civilization; and that law only now
begins to yield to the higher one OF intelli-
gence and modern progress which the magnetic
telegraph, the press, steam power and the
scientific achievements of this age have
developed. The great conquerers and fouu-
ders of empires and dynasties-the Alex
anders, the Caesars, the Charlemagnes, the
Napoleons-w only filibusters on large
scale. The masses Of mankind were merely
herds Of animals or mere machines, to be
used for the glory and ambitious views Of
these ilbustering chieftains. The rights Of
the people were not known and their interests
hardly recognized. National rights even were
little respected. I. is only of late years that
international law has been acknowledged with
any binding force or that some respect has
been paid to the rights Of the people and
nations. The existing dynasties and ruling
aristocracies of Europe and the world gene
rally were founded by the power Of the sword
in the hands Of flibusters. Through blood
and rapine they established their assumed
'divine right" to govern. The old Latin
motto, Vor popuh Vor Del, was not generally
recognized and, indeed, rarely recognized, till
the rise Of the American republic and this last
century
1t seems strange that four thousand years
or more should have passcd-that is, from
the earliest reliable historic period to
the dawn of the nineteenth century-before
the world reached its present civilization.
But now we appear to have sprung all at
once into the full blaze Of sunlght-to have
made greater strides within few years than
were made in many centuries or in all preced-
ing times. The science Of the present age, 80
making this wonderful revolution. We have,
in addition to the accumulated knowledge and
discoveries of past ages, numberless inven-
tions and discoveries Of our own. Some of
these are so surprising that the most learned
and scientific of the ancients never dreamed
of them 1t has been said that some Of the
arts and sciences Of antiquity have been lost.
The Pyramids Of Egypt and the ruins of
Thebes and other ancient cities are mentioned
to show this. Then, again, the beautiful
works Of Greek and Roman art, as
well as the rich literature of Greece
and Rome, are referred to for the
purpose OF showing that the peo-
pie of modern times are not superior to the
ancients. Very few Of the arts or sciences, If
any, have been lost. If we do not excel the
Greeks or Romans in some Of their finest pro-
ductions, we approach them and understand
the principles upon which they worked. In
this age the minds Of men are occupied with
far greater variety and really more important
objects. AS consequence, therefore, the
same perfection may not be obtained in any
particular thing. But in amount of know
ledge and in the application Of that to the
progress and well being Of society we are far
in advance of the Greeks or Romans and Of
the people Of all preceding times. Still, as
was said, civilization has been progressive
from the time of the ancient Egyptians all
through, and although there have been dark
Ozark Ages" as they have been
light has never been extinguished.
Through the printing press all the storehouses
Of ancient knowledge have been opened, and
now the mass of mankind are learning more
than the philosophers Of old knew.
But, in addition to the accumulated know
ledge Of the past that has been brought down
to us, how much has been acquired within the
last century! Yes, how much has been
learned within quarter Of century! Look
at the magnetic telegraph, which brings the
people Of continents far removed from each
other within speaking distance; which flashes
instantaneously to all parts Of the civilized
world the ideas that ferment in the brains of
great thinkers everywhere; which places the
peasant on footing with the statesman in
acquiring information; which Is rapidly break
ing down the barriers Of caste, races, sects
and prejudices Of all kinds, and which is
changing the whole financial and political
ideas of the world The natural ally Of this
new and wonderful agent Of civilization, the
press, lays before the people from day to day
and hour to hour news Of what is transpiring
in all parts Of the globe. The great thoughts
of the first men of all nations in every branch
of knowledge are furnished as regularly
10 the people as are their meals. No
education is 80 valuable or comprehen-
sve as this 1t difuscs knowledge, enlarges
the mind, inspires ambition, stimulates
activity and increases the intercourse, trade
and resources of every people. We might
mention the other co-agents Of progress in