Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
THE SITUATION IN EUROPE.

While prisoner upon the lsland
of ST. Helena, the great Napoleon
said substantially, that Europe
would become either Republican or
Corsack within the 10Th century,
Late events give this prediction of
the great Emperor peculiar signifi-
canoe. What do we see now in Eu-
rope. We see in the East the Ger
man Empire and the vast Empire of
Russia, backed by millions of train
ed soldiery, looming up as the pc
euliar opponents of Imperialism
and absolute hereditary power
Sooner or later, Austria who is now
at the mercy of her greater neigh
bors, must make their policy her
policy. What do we find in the
West? We find France drifting into
permanent Republic; Spain ac-
cepting quietly the abduction of her
chosen King, and declaring Re-
public-Portugal and Italy agitated
by Republican aspirations and soon
CIR or later to yield to the storm, to be
followed by Belgium, Holland and
Denmark, the whole to be backed
by free, though monarchial Eng
land. Then, and that then will be
very soon a realized fact, we viii
have Western arrayed against Eas-
tern Europe, the West, represent
ing the Re1o, and tho East the old
order of things. How this great
contest of the near future will ter
inmate, none can foretell; but this
much is certain it will result in the
Russiauizing or Republicanizing of
the continent of Europe as the great
French Emperor predicted fifty-five
years age. Look now at the situa-
ton. The slightest spark will cause
an universal eonflagration. France,
Belgium, Holland and Denmark,
hating Germany-Spain Republi-
canized in sympathy with her sister
Republic, and Italy awakening to
the fact that she has lost more than
she gained by the defeat of her old
Allie. Russia and England on the
eve of a gigantic conflict for SUI
premacy in the East. Germany in
sympathy with Russia-religious
and civil discord increasing through
out the German Empire-in all this
we see a conflict pending, more gl-
gantic and terrible, more pregnant
with good or evil to mankind than
any or all the wars that have ever
yet swept over blood-stained Eu-
rope. The Emperors of Germany,
Russia and Austria have exchanged
friendly visits. They will soon
meet again, and the next news that
will startle the world, will be the
announcement OF another "holy al
lance" between these monarchs, to
maintain the established order of
things, the ''diyine right of Kings"
against the Republican aspiration of
Western Europe. This will be the
beginning of the end of that mighty
conflict that will change the whole
map of Europe, and the political
constitutions of the nations. Should
the "holy alliance" succeed, as it did
in crushing Republican aspira-
tions so years ago, the clock of hui
man freedom will be set back anoth-
or half century, and Russia, that
vast consolidated, inaccessible EN-
pire that lowers dark and threaten
ing in the Eastern sky, will dictate
to Europe. For in twenty years,
should the Alliance triumph, neither
the German or Austrian Empires,
or both, will be a match for the grim
giant of the Steppes, and in saving
their crowns they will become the
vassals OF Russia, and like the rest of
Europe, be at the mercy of her five
millions of trained, obedient and
fanatic soldiery. But should the
west beat back the devastating wave
of absolutism, Republic after Re
public will rise upon the ruins of
imperial power, and the dreaded
northern giant will be confined to
his mountains and SteppeS, to be
gradually liberalized by the great
tidal wave of Freedom. Indeed,
the prophecy of the great exile
draws near its fulflment.