New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-06-24
THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.


the combat which seems to be on tn
point of occurrence will end disastrousl
for the cause of liberal ideas, because it i
being forced to a premature solution
Absolutism is too strongly supported a
present by the united strength Of Austria
Prussia and Russia to be overcome, ever
if the republicans were in sympathy witt
each other in France, Germany, England
and Spain. But the misfortune is that the
liberals of Europe are separated by ma
tional antipathies, and by theoretical diff
ferences. Even in France the republicans
are divided in thought between the ultra.
ism of the International Association, with
its novel ideas about the duty of govern
ment concerning property and labor, and
the conservative liberalism of NJ Theirs,
who holds to the notion that republic is
but an elective monarchy. The madness
of the commune, or rather, of the
followers of the Partisan revolution
was of such character as to alarm
the moderate republicans, because it
threatened to disturb all manner of vested
rights. There was no proclamation of
this idea by the leaders of the commune
it is true, but when the people saw that
the most trusted leaders of the reyolu-
ton were gradually withdrawing from its
direction, or were being driven out of
their public employment, terrible APP
prehension seized upon them that
the Utopians were preparing for
final measure of agrarianism. Acting
under this impulse they hailed with
delight the conquest of the city by the
forces of the National Assembly. 1t was
their relief from this inward apprehension
that made them so anxious to be re-
stored to the rule which they had but
lately risen to overthrow. Paris is I'M
doubtedly republican, but she is welded
to the rights of property, and if liberty
means what the International Association
pretends that it does, the Parisians will
never unite in its support. Owing to this
distrust the republican party in France is
weaker to-day than it has been for years,
because some of its soundest and strongest
partisans doubt the animus of their fol-
lowers. They are afraid to trust their
own friends in the hour of triumph, be-
cause they dread the excuses of men un-
accustomed to liberty.
As a matter of course the enmity
between the French and the Germans is
too fresh to allow them to cooperate in
any contest which might originate from
the interference of Prussia to suppress
repubhcanism in France. The English
branch of the International Association
will have its own work to attend to at
home, because no sooner will the rovolu-
ton break out in England, than Ireland
will declare her independence, and this
will prevent English liberals from lend
ing any help to French republicans.
Spain is too weak in liberal ideas to assist
France, and moreover she is too Catholic
to lend hand in overthrowing the
Church in neighboring state. Belgium
and Italy are slightly infused with men,
bers of the International Association,
but the society is too weak in either COM
munity to make any movement which
might resist the repressive force of the
local authorities.
1t will thus be seen that the republi- |
cans, as they call themselves, or the In |
ternational Association as they are more
entitled to be named, will be |
forced to rely upon their strength in
France to uphold them, and this we have
shown to be support that is not calcu-
lated to impart confidence to the public
in the success of the movement. In the
first place, they will meet with the oppo-
sition of the republic itself in the shape
Of the present government of France. In
the second place, they will meet with the
united opposition of Austria, Russia and
Prussia, whose armies will at once ad-
vance to uphold M. Theirs until a new
regime can be selected. In
TACT, now is the best time imaginable to
extirpate the International Association,
it can be done with the willing
consent of Europe on account of the
Irregularities and excuses committed in
he name of republicanism by the mem
oers of that society.
If M. Theirs could be allowed to pro-
ICED with the experiment of republican
government which he is attempting in
france at present, we have no doubt that
n very short time he could establish
epublic. But the ultraists seem deter
mined to provoke contest with the au-
horities in the interest of the inter-
lational association, and as this is but a
evival of the leveling suggestions of the
commune, the effort will be a failure, and
is overthrow will bring down the exist
ng order of things. Absolutism only de-
Tres an opportunity, and it will not go
ar for the excuse to commence its work.
Armies are even now ready to move, and
he first indication of the initiative is
given in the dispatch which informs us
hat Prussia has arrested the retirement
Of her troops from France, and that
she is leagued with Russia and Austria to
preserve the peace The Emperor Will
liam can afford to move in the matter, for
his recentexploits have made him so dear
10 the Germans tho4 4LA I'll 49, - |