The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-03-17
European Republicanism.

contemporary observes that 'eFeSy'
" thing seems working together against mon
8. arclIy In France" But itimmediatcIy con
ccdcs Tint there ais clear majority IN the
" chambers and q chief OF the executive
mower" !" entirely in favor Of the monarch
"ists.o Now, this fact IS not 10 the least Oh,
couragiug to Republicanism, though it may
he true tbs, the mopsrchsts are meeting with
some distractions. The main difficulty with
them is want of harmony as to who shall
be king or emperor. That is trouble tina;
will be settled with more ease than can tf
removed the difficulties in the way Of tn;
mockery of q republic which now exists in
France.
Republicanism in Europe is deluslon
The end of the outburst Of 1913. which
spread over Germany, Austria, Italy, and
France, should satisfy every one that 'hls i
true. Germany was the centre OF the i"s'f'
reetion Of the Republicans, and VIVA
land is more subordinated TO the one
man power than Germany Over every
foot of territory upon which the Republican
banner was in 1913 hoistcd, except France,
the monarchica power is firmly and rtgd!y
established; aud in France we all know
how feebly the Republican life exists. Spain,
which was too apathetic and self-indulgent
to lift an arm for republicanism in 1913, NOW
makes spirit for "freedon," so called. But
her return to arbitrary rule is unqucstioa'
ably near OF hand.
This country is ever going off with the
spread-eaele defamation about liberty and
republicapism, and we have as little Of either
as some nations that obey an emperor. Any
little moonshine of republicanism that ap-
pears in any corner Of Europe attracts the
attention OF the American delnacogueS, who
assemble around it with their patent bellows
and endeayor 10 blow il into lla,uc. If wind
would answer TO 50 increase the flame, their
supply Is inexhaustible. But it requires
something more solid and substantialto build
republic in Europe than American detna-
gogical "flabbergast.'
No Republic can exist withou! conscrva-
tive checks upon the vicious spirit of an
afchy; and the first ESSAYS at rcpubicaniSm
in Europe have in modern times always run
into the extreme of radicalism aud irreli-
gion. The security and peace of society
the very foundations Of civilization-werc
always placed in the EXTREMIST peril and
the intervention Of arbitrary power WAS in
dispensable to the protection Of mankind
from the destructive rule of the worst Of
passions. Therefore rcpubicaui>m cannot
exist in Europe. Being inaugurutcd by
anarchy, despoti,m is always the legitimate
offspring of its violent and terrible existence
People are too glad TO take refuge under tie
power of tie moElr Ii, backed by bayoncts,
from the wild beasts which IRE uncagcd by
the demon mi,namel repubIicaDisln.
This country is the only one on the globe
for centuries which has been adapted to re-
publican government, and iii which repuoii-
canism pure. and rcrublican;sm admins
tered with impalii1iity and justice, bas cX-
listed. We had 4 sparse population and Il
moderate standard Of wealth. These secured
equality and independence to men, and with
he / from public officers the temptations to
corruption and the betrayal OF public trusts.
But as we have grown in age the population
has increased, the wealth Of the people la.
increased, the power and the resources of the
Government have grown with uuprecc-
denied rapidly, and we have yearly seen
how public honor has wancd, how cor
ruptiun has spread over the land, and how
people have set their hearts on wealth
and become Indifferent TO their political
rights and the maintenance OF the Govern.
ment in fern and split as beIuca,hcd then
by their ancestors. An obseryan, nlan canno
fail 10 see what inrouds have been made upoI
our system, nor can he fail to be apprehcn
sive that wcare rapidly approaching the pc
Rod when arbitrary power will, us natura
consequence of the national condition, ID
indispensable to the national safety.
The world may well be sick Of the will
defamation about elderly" The wrong
done in her mInc may well excite terror Il
ITS sound. So far rs we are concerned, "
had better take care Of our own househo!
and leave other countries to govern them
selves. If they do SO no better than we hay
done for ten years past, God help them!