The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-01-06

ton, which was coolly planned and delib-
erately executed with the most signal sue
cess. Whether the motive which impelled
Russia to the subjugation of Khiva, a petty
Khanate in Central Asia, was conquest and
heconsequent sggrandizeme OF the terrific
ry, or only a desire to clean out a nest of rob
bers, who from time immemorial have been
the terror of the table lands, and barrier
to commerce between Europe and
India-tbe event, in the opinion of
most, will Justify the means employed The
approaching nuptials of Marie Alexapdrov-
ma, daughter Of the Gar, to the Duke Of
Edinburg, second son of Queen Victoria
may be said to be the only other event Of
general Importance in the history Of Russia,
for the year which has Just closed. The
country seems to be eminently prosperous,
with the single exception OF famine which
is raging in the province of Archangel. The
people Of that section have appealed to the
general government for aid. This will in
volve an expenditure of not less than eight
millions roubles, which is equivalent to
about the same number of dollars of our cur
rency. With France, the year has been full
of events. 1t is a country which is great in
literature, science, art and arms, and it is
not strange that it's varying fortunes
and shifting policies should be closely watch
ed by the whole world. The administration
of NJ. Theirs came into unpopularity i'm the
beginning of the year. The Extreme Left
became alienated from the Government. The
contest between Barodet and Remusst for
the vacant seat in the Assembly, inaugural
ed series of defeats which ended in the vir-
tual deposition of Theirs and the establish
mcnt of Mcmahon as as the rt;ler-one might
almost ssy-the sovereign of France. For
though but a tool in the hands of the Right,
he is the exponent and representative of
monarchial ideas: The by-play, during the
recess of the Assembly, between the
Counts do Chambord and Paris. and the
ultimate rejection by the former of the
propositions made him, are inter-
esting and puzzling The blow to
the Monarchists was sudden and terrible,
but they had the tact to meet it by clever
dodge, and McMahon's term was pro-
longed to bridge the hiatus and give the rep
resentatives of feudalism time to gather up
their resources and perfect their plans. Yet
with the apparent triumph of monarchical
ideas, republicanism has made vast strides
during the year. The present arrangement
can only be regarded as sort of truce.
Long before McMahOn's nominal term ex-
pires, the inevitable contest will recon-
mence @ routronce. The German indemnity
has been paid, and the invader has left the
soil, which speaks well for the energy and
enthusiasm of the French people, who have
borne their burdens joyfully to compass this
long wished for end. The Punishment of
Marshal Bazaine, the hero of Metz, forms a
rather dark setting to this otherwise fair pic
ture, for feeling of sympathy will follow
the unfortunate victim of the tickle chances
of war. Spain, of all the European,States
has seen the most vicissitudes. Nearly a
year ago King Amadeo declined longer to
wear a crown that chafed his gentle brow,
and almost Immediately the new republic
was heralded with Senior Figueras as its
President. His ascendency was brief, and
Salmeron and Pi Margall followed in rapid
succession. The terrible uprisings of the
communards, or internationalists, which
eliminated in the massacre of Alcoy on the
18th of July, demonstrate the insecurity of
a republic based upon centuries of almost alb
solute monarchical rule and the long
sway of a bigoted hierarchy. The
people, stepped in the most be-
nighted ignorance, mistook liberty for
license, and gave loose rein to it. The in
surrection of Cartagena followed Alcoy, and
the conflict of Malaga followed few days
later. Meanwhile the Carlist armies swept
the northeastern provinces with fire and
sword, and left ruin and desolation in their
track. Though the instructions in the
south have been suppressed, Cartagena still
holds out, and the Carlist cause shows no
signs of weakening. Intimately connected
with events in Spain, comes the atrocity at
Santiago de Cuba, in which the greater part
of the crew of the Virginius were merci-
Iessly butchered by the volunteers, nomi-
nally in the service ofSpain, but really an ire
sponsible mob of ruffians, a terror alike to
their friends and enemies. The whole history
Of the terrible affair is so recent, and has
been brought home so forcibly to the atten-
ton of American citizens, that any recapitu-
lation here is unnecessary. Suffice it to say
that complications Win Spain which at one
time seemed probable, are now happily
averted, and the Virginius, the apple of dis
cord, went down in gale off Cape Hatteras,
while being lowed to New York by the
Ossipee. The battle inaugurated in Ger
many, also engrosses Italy. While Plus
the TX still fills the Pontiff's chair, the
secularization of church property still goes
on, and the priest party grows daily weaker.
1t is curious anomaly, that in Italy, the
cradle of Catholicism and its stronghold for
many centuries, the influence of the clergy is
less than in any other European country.
All this, notwithstanding protests from
the Vatican and encyclicals without
end The Pope gives no signs of
giving out soon, Notwithstanding his great
age and late feeble health, and it is likely