Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-11-10
Shadows and Coming Events in Europe.

There are many editorial writers IN this eoun-
try who can never take look st the European
horizon without discovering that g small cloud
of war no larger than mans hSn1,' and
upon the strength Of which they prognosticAte
horrors untold for the future. Oaly once in s
generation does the cloud get any larger, snd
events Justify all their blood-curdling prophesles
Bpt today the situation, political, sOoisl and
religious, in Europe, is such as may well excite
the gravest apprehension in the minds Of all
who desire the welfare Of the human race, and
who know that the best results for humanity can
only be achieved through the conquests of peace;
and the cloud is larger than msn's hand Tue
1 ar il yezed with rumors Of wars and mutterings
[ Of discomfort Through the forced calm Of
despotism breSk now and then the fierce fires Of
political snimosity, religious bitterness, party
disSfection and class hatred. Every one Of the
great powers has old scores to settle with each
one Of its rivals. Every nation has in its body
the spear marx Of some one Of its sister States,
AID only gun-powder and blood can heal the
wound At the centre Of Europe sta the IN
scrupulous schemer, the arch plotter Of the
world, and fans the fires Of Jealousy and hatred
between the different governments whom he en-
desvors to bring into collision, and make the
results contribute still more to the glory Of the
"Vs;eflsnd," already glorious through hit
efforts. sud the results Of his consummste Gun
ming and sdroit diplomacy. The great powers
are all awake 70 the danger Of the hour.
Through the European cabine,s goes the warn
ing whisre., " beware Of Prussia, and the old
statesmen and rulers shake their heads and
mu,ter. " No Maeed5n for our Greece" Craft
cannot always avail. Aterr;ble trial of strength
must come. snd the nations are preparing for It.
England ia making ready for the contest
which all anticipate, though none can tell
how, or from whl. quarter OF when the storm
will burst Last week, daily cabinet meetings
were held, snd the army is rapidly increasing.
The reorganization recently undertaken is nearly
CONNECTED. Great quantities Of military and
naval stores are being accumulated, and the
greatest acigity prevails ia all the arseua.s aud
ship ysrls. On thecluti1eat, France crswis out |
from beneath the heel Of her oouqueror. wipes |
The blood and dust from her face, and calls her
scattered lesions together. and concentrates all /
her efforts upon the organization. equipment |
and reestablishne1t Of her aruy,-her glory and .
her curse. Prussia refuses TO entirely disbani I
her great armies, sends lev Of her soldiers Z
home and omiuousy msia,sias her amy organ /
izs,iou complete Austria Is alarmed, sni her .
Emperor, Francis Joseph. disnayei ii The .
stormy prospect the future Of Europe presents,
shrinks from the trial AMI asks to abiicate, on
the plea inst be is not competent to lead his
nation through the troubles that threaten.
In Russia the preparations Tor Esr are on 3
gigantic scale Nearly teenty yezrs Of peace
nave given the empire an opportunity which has
not been neglected By WEI. planned railroad
lines, troops asy row be hucsisl with the ut
most rapidly from one part OF tA- frontier to
smother. The whole army mss been completely
reorganizad, placed OF q war footing, armed
with the finest weapons known to modern war
fare, and equipped in tie most perfect manner
conceivable With a few hours notice Russia
can seai into the field an army Of twelve hun
irei thousand men Turkey watches these vast
with dread. ami while Fsiting with
fear and trembling FOR the next move Of the great
Northern Bear, hastily prepares her OVID army
for an emergency. All over Europe the croakers
may now fad plenty Of material from which TO
fashion their dire predictions Of the bloody
struggle that the world is soon TO witness.
The Battle Of Dlrkins,' the oniu1us proph-
sces Of the exile Of Chiseharst, the bold
threats Of Frenchmen. even before the last
spiked helmet has resrossel their borders, the
meeting at Gasde1, the Conference Of william
md Gortschak9f, are all s;rsws which show that
he wind is blowing from the quarter of storms
" hen the storm comes 1t will be shJr. aud awful
rs political results it is impossible to predict
Is effects upon the prosperity Of Europe the hap
liness Of iis uyriajs OF people, upon civilization,
he arts and sciences sul religion, sre TOO fearful
o contemplate May Col avert the threatened
LANCER and grant that this great asliction may
iot be visited upon the wgild as the GROWING
catastrophe %. a cllsmitous year.