The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-09-20
The WARM Europe.

: 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 pen
etrates where cannon balls and glittering
steel can never go, and produces results
which physical force can never accomplish.
} Ideas undcrlie the the war, and will sur
J vive it. Europe is to take an entirely
new attitude, start on new race of pro-
; gress, rise 10 higher civilization, and a
better work for humanity, from this time
onward. America will be safer and bet
ter 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 for
merly; it was three years around it, it is
now scarce three minutes,so that Americas
J ideas are more Immediately aud deeply
felt in Europe, and European ideas affect
us more than formerly.
But how is Christian civilization to
the gamer? First, this war ends the
foolish dogma of the "balance of power"
We are to have no more of that. "Bal-
ance of power" means immense standing
armies, crushing taxation, despotism, con-
stant wars and hinderance to human pro-
gress. A united Germany decides who
is to be dictator in Europe. That settled,
the nations can disarm and trust to JUS
tice, since it will be useless to appeal to
arms.
And q united Germany means free
people. The chief hinderancc to German
liberty has been their divisions into petty
despotisms The people have been sep
arated into fractions and could not act
together; their despots were at their
doors, and so numerous and vigilant, that
the voice Of the people was stiaed in the
dictations of dukes and princes. One
central government brings them together
and makes them one people, homogeneous
in interest, nationality and aims. This
accomplished, their voice, through their
Parliment, will be invincible their mon-
archy will become like that of England,
nominal ; the people will be Free Their
education, their popular ideas, their reli.
gion, and their intimate relations with
America, inevitably lead to this result.
The petty despots, who have held them
in sections, divide and oppressed. hated
liberty, but the people are in advance of
any other nationality, except our own, in
their conceptions of the right of man =
and they are not likely to retrograde,
since their petty dukedoms have been
swallowed up in one central government.
The war with Austria did much to effect
this; the war with France will complete
it. For the sake ofliberty, we hope that
the work will be thoroughly done. When
the whole German people freely inter-
mingle, act together. feel the dignity of
their position, appreciate their rights and
duties, they will not only be free them
selves, but by silent, peaceful influence,
will give constitutional government and
civil rest to the nations around them.
And what renders this all the more
certain is the fact that Prussia is Protest
tant Her Christianity is not of the
highest type, but vastly superior to Pa
pacy. 1t does not foster ignorance and
oppose popular education, as Papacy
does, but promote it with enthusiasm
The Bible is not forbidden liberty of
conscience is allowed, religious proscrip-
tions are yielding to better ideas, and
ultimate freedom in religion is at hand.
A bad religion always makes bad gov
ernment. A pure Christianity necessita.
tes liberty. The superiority of her religion
has injured superiority in education, in
intelligence, force Of character, and plac.
ed Germany where she now stands, at
the head of European powers Character
lies back of the needle gun, religion and
the spelling book do more for her than
weapons OF war Papacy, and the con.
sequent ignorance and Generalization in
France, are the real source of all her dis
asters
This great war marks the second stage
Of the reformation. Professionalism is
henceforth to rule Europe. Papal usur.
pations, Concordats and Bulls are no
more to be dreaded. The Papal nations
cannot Withstand the moral influence Of
Protestant Prussia and England. The in
telligence, power, enterprise and prest;ge
of the world will be on the side of Bible
readers. Can there be any doubt about
the ultimate results of this state of things
upon Italy, Spain, France, and Austria =?
The bands of superstition and religious
despotism will be dissolved. II Papacy
stands, it will be in spite Of advancing
light, sharp discussion, severe criticism,
general education. And this state of
things must greatly improve the the re.
ligious condition Of Prussia itself; the
more will be demanded and the separa-
tion of church and state will come in due
time That will be Il grand deliverauce
to religion. A pure, vigorous Christian
ity is next to Impossible under state pat
ronage and controal. When religion in
Germany is entirely free and voluntary,
when it has thrown upon its own resources
and left to fight its own battles, it will
become more spiritual and vital and make
headway against both Papacy and in6del-
ity. A state religion is always heartesa
servile and powerless, and tempts thought
fut men to scorn it all as a show and de-
lusion. Hence, with strong desire and
nope, we anticipate tnat the commlng
civil liberty for the German nation will
bring complete separation of church and
state. When England and Prussia stand
with America on that basis, Christianity
will be clothed with irresistible energy
aud aggressive power. That day will
come. Europe travails to-day for its
birth. The destiny of the future is invol-
we'd in the tremendous struggle on tn
banks of the Moselc and the plains Of
Chalons The question of dynasty is
nothing, but that Of what ideas shall rule,
is vital
No nation in Europe is SO susceptible
to American influence as Prussia, and she
! will feel that influence all the more in her
new position of freedom. And Germany
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