The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-12


BoTH parties to the European war look
gratefully to the United States, and both
seek encouragement in our example. Avoid
ing armed and diplomatic interference, we
still exercise more powerful influence upon
them than any of the contiguous nations.
The Germans point to this country as an
illustration of the political and military
achievements of which their race is capable,
and they claim that the contrast between our
Republic and the Spanish American abortions
is produced by the inherent superiority of
the Anglo-Saxons over the Gauls and Spa
niards. The French, on the other hand,
since they have proclaimed republic, base
their hope for future prosperity and great
ness not only upon their own exploits during
their first Revolution, but upon the wonder
full results attained in this country under the
sway of free institutions. They look to our
system for deliverance from the depths of
despair, and their statesmen, orators, and
writer's point to the great things done under
the banner of freedom in this country when
all other attempts to revive dropping hopes
and inspire heroic courage are fruitless.
In Spain and Italy, which are also in per-
turbed condition, the example of this coun-
try is constantly exercising powerful infu-
ence, and some of their republican leaders,
in conjunction with those of France and
Germany, have advanced the idea that the
true way to destroy present complications
and to avoid bloody dissensions in future is
to establish grand government of United
States in Europe. This is but vague dream
now: yet if the war is to go on; if Garibaldi
is to array his bands of Italian followers side
by side with new French levies; if Castellar's
advice to the republicans of Spain, bidding
them to get ready to aid France with arms, is
followed; if the feeling which is springing
up in portions of Germany, that her soldier
citizens should be rewarded for their bravery
and sacrifices by increased liberty, is resisted,
who can tell how soon this dream may assume
tangible shape?
The most hopeful solution of the present
war, however, is to be found in a speedy
peace. Long conflicts, whatever be their
avowed motive or their final issue, are dan
gerous to freedom on account of their inevi-
table tendency to establish military despot-
isms. France can do infinitely more for re-
publicanism in Europe by demonstrating her
capacity to maintain free government, and
to combine liberty with law and order, than
by suicidal attempts to enforce freedom in
other nations at the point of the bayonet;
and twenty years of peaceful and prosperous
progression of a French republic would do
more to iberalize European institutions than
twenty aggressive conflicts
If our example is rightly understood by the
liberal leaders of France they will accept a
II &c k1,o
sity, and they will seek to improve in peace
the opportunity they have unex-
pectedly gained by the destruction of
the empire. They will also avoid the q
cesses which have brought discredit and de-
feat upon their former efforts, and suppress
the dangerous agitators who abuse freedom
by their endeavors to demolish the whole
framework of society. Former revolutions
have nearly completed the work of demoli-
ton. The old aristocracy, the Bourbons,
the Orleanists, the Bonapartes, and the EN-
pire have all been swept away. Now, if the
invaders can be persuaded or forced to retire,
the great work of French liberals will be no
longer to tear down, but to build up. Here
tofore, even when France was relieved of the
dominion of Kings and Emperors, she was
too busy in resisting foreign aggression, in
destroying old abuses, or in quelling domes-
tic dissensions to enjoy real freedom. M.
Theirs concludes his history of the first
French Revolution with the declaration
''Liberty was yet some day to come. She
has not yet come; but come she will" If
this great boon is to be gained now, it will
richly recompense France for the loss of her
regular army and the destruction of her
military supremacy, and if she needs assur-
ances of the possibility of success, in spite of
her past failures, our example should fur
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