New-York tribune., 1873-01-01
TILE YER.

Even a meager retrospect of the events of
the year which has just passed may have its
value to those who are accustomed to think
methodically and to look for effects long after
causes have been observed and recorded A
wise man orders his private life by the ex-
perience of the past; and in his public rela-
tiOns he has duties to perform which require
an adequate cOgnizance of what has gone by
as well as of what is still present. Nobody
can afford to be unacquanted with the history
of his own times; and our own rapid resume
need prevent no one from carefully making
one more extended and particular for himself
In Europe the year has been marked with
comparative quiet, though the great forces
which were set in action by former wars
and revolutions are still working their way
toward prOportionate results. Russia has con-
tinued to exercise her Incompatible diplo-
matte skill in keeping free from Western en-
tanglements, while she provides for her pre-
destined future by strengthening her influence
OH the Danube, the EuXine, and the B0sphOrus,
and pushes her cOnquests every month little
further into Central Asia. No other nation
has life so isolated and so independent of
all others; yet slowly and steadily a strong
though as yet unenhghtened movement is
awaking throughout the Empire, which tends
to democracy in politics and liberty
in religion. Germany is going through
an experience of the utmost importance in her
political hfe 1t appears as if the German
people may yet reap some advantage to them
selves from their colossal victories, which the
Kaiser would be only too glad to use for the
benefit of the dynasty. The danger to liberty
there has always been rather from the'aristoc-
rHy than from the Crown and the recent COP
fsct between them, resulting in favor of the
latter, cannot but be advantageous to the
movement of progress. Another quarrel is
even now menaced-this time a theological
one and such debates, under conditions like
the present, invariably end in the destruction
of more or less superstition. in a greater or
| less widening of the area of toll
Grafton and light Austria is working
out in peace and prosperity the problems
assigned her by her fortunate defeat in
1866. More rapidly even than Prussia is she
learning the lesson of tolerance and reform.
When the world goes to Vienna next May to
the festival of civilization in the Prater it
will find city and a nation abreast of the
age in industry, in politics, and religion.
Italy pursues without shock or delay the
quiet course Of her consolidation. Every year
the Crown loses some of its luster, and the
people learn to rely little more upon them
selves. The Pope still delays his threatened
exodus from Rome, and one by one the ma
tions of the world are withdrawing their mock
legations from his pbantOm court. 1t can
scarcely be another year before he ceases to
exist even as a shadow of sovereign, and re-
mains only as the spiritual head Of world
wide religion.
In spite of all the drawbacks which will
occur to every one, the cause which We con-
slider the righteous one has gained ground
during the year in the West of Europe. Spaia
is troubled and turbulent, but no more than
it has been for many years, while the princi-
pies of democracy incorporated in the COnsti-
tuition are taking deeper root in the customs
and the daily life of the community. The
reactionary party is losing strength, the Re-
publican leaders confine themselves to legal
propaganda, and the Radical Government,
which there is no reason to suspect of insin-
cerity, is carrying out with as much diligence
as it would be reasonable to expect the
pledges of Liberalism upon which it came to
power. The struggle in France between the
party of progress and the party of reaction has
reached stage where we are not permitted
TO be sanguine, but where dependency is
equally uncalled for The Assembly, which
has outlved its functions, is face 10 face with
the country. The Government lacks energy Of