Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-12-15
stirring news from Europe.

Stirring News from Europe.
The cable news from Europe is just now
of more than usual interest. 1t may lie
said without exaggeratiOn that the entire
British nation are waiting i'll anxiety and
suspense for the crisis that Will decide the
fate of the heir to the throne. The issue is
momentous, and the political parties are
earnestly specializing upon its result. The
Princes death will doubtless give fresh
impetus to the rapidly growing republican
party. Its leaders held meeting last week
and resolved to take no immediate action
in case of that event, but they will be
watchful for an opportunity, and a Crisis
may be expected when the throne be
comes vacant. If, OH Tire contrary, the
Prince recover and being cLastened by his
near approach to death, lead new and
better life, the unpopularlty he has incur
red may give way to a reaction OF tho pub
lie feeling already moved to sympathy by
his dangerous condition. lie is probably
neither better nor worse than the average
of young peers Of his age and Wealth-but
his countrymen expect and have right TO
expect him to be better than the average.
The republican leaders have boldly avOwed
their determination never to allow him to
ascend the throne of his ancestors. n
mightier Hand than that of mortal man
NAV have sealed the decree before this mo-
ment. But even if such is the case, it is
be hoped for England's sake, that she
| &, tI,a11 abandoning
herself to the guidance of Sir Charles Dixie,
Mr.. Odgcr, Mr.. Bradlaugh and their
fellow republicans. The order of success
sion has been before regulated by an act OF
Parliament The day has gone by when
men believed that the government
of a great nation belongs by divine right TO
| the heir at law of Il certain family. the
supreme right to which all others must give
way is that of the nation to select thai gov
eminent and that ruler who will best
promote its greatness and prosperity.
Nothing would be easier than for Parlla-
ment to alter the order of succession SO as
| to avoid long regency, after the Queen
death, and at the same time to preserve the
monarchy. After the nation had spoken
through its parliament, there would be no
fear of pretenders or civil wars in the Eng
land of our day.
Not SO with France. The news
from that country is equally impor-
tant Everything there seems upon the
eve of new CONFUSION or coup detm'
Vessels of war are cruising around the coast
to prevent another return from Eliza" ill
which Mcmahon might act the part OF Mar
shal Ney On the other hand, the Duke
Hummelshine, best of the OrleanS--iS on
the spot, and adyiccs say that if he is
| bold enough he can obtain the crown
The last kilograms add that Theirs is
about to surrender his powers into his
hands with the sanction Of the Assembly
If this is true, we fear it means another pc
riod OF civil war for that unhappy land
The army by all accounts are strongly Ill
favor of tho Bonapartes, and the Republi-
cans are numerous and bold. With three
parties all nearly balanced, all eager for the
possession Of power, it is improbable that
peaceful solution will be obtained. The
voice of the Assembly will have but little
weight, for it has long ceased to express
the will Of the people; and by undertaking
to settle the dynasty and the form OF gov
eminent it is going clearly beyond its pow
| erS.
The populations having been disarmed
since the fall OF the Commune, the army
hold the balance of power. If MacMahor
is disposed to effect a Napoleonic restora
ton, the refugee Of ChiseiiIrst may once
more tread the soil Of F1antc, but even il
this case it is very improbable that his re
turn will be as unressted as was that o
his uncle from Elba. The next few day:
will determine .'under which King, BezO
! MAN %