, 1875-06-12
England and Peace.


England and Peace.
The Paris 1NOgitelT informs us that we owe
TO the influence OF England the fact that Eu-
rope Is now at peace. We do not know how
tar this Is exactly true, but the words of the
-H07de'T are carefully expressed "England. -
1t Gays, by raising her voice in favor of
peace has naturally recovered her lust author
ity and influence in continental affair. and
The present Ministry has acquired degree of
strength and power which will procure for it
the grateful respect of Europe" If it can
be demonstrated that Lord Derby has really
succeeded III preventing contest that must
have become one of the most extraordinary
calamities Of modern times, then he has won
tor himself an enviabie fame as a statesman
Ihe reproach so often addressed TO the late
Ministry of Mr. Gladstone was that ENGLAND
had abdicated her functions as Ieading En-
ropean power; that she has been content with
taking second rate position among the ma
tlons; that the glory she had won in the time
OF Napoleon had been surrendered to conn
mercial and money-loving spirit. we think
1t was Mr.. Carlyle who sand, in a conversa-
tlon reported TO us by an inquisitive Ameri-
can correspondent, that Mr. Gladstone WAS
simply Z" bagman," and that he dealt with
England as though he We're at the head of 4
large dry goods business. He believed that
MIR. Gladstone had surrendered the best inter-
ests OF his country at the dictation of Ameri-
ca when he consented TO the arbitration at
Geneva, and that this contributed more than
any other influence to the destruction of his
Cabinet. When Mr. Disraeli came into
power it was with the assurance thai Emo.
land was once more TO become a yirorous
member OF the European family of nations
If If can be shown that the influence of his
government has preserved the peace, even
against as restless country rs France and as
imperiOus a statesman as Bismarck, it will
90 far to redeem Victorla's reign from the
reproach which has fallen upon it.
1t is natural that England should ask for
peace and insist upon it by the strongest pres
sure. There could scarcely be war on the
! continent IN which England could remain
neutral. She is bound 10y treaty to guaran-
tee the Independence Of Belgium. She is
| closely allied to Germany by interests of re-
| lIgIon aud commerce, the family relationship
OF the reIgnIng houses and common ances-
| try. at the same time, during the last
thirty years there has grown up between
| England and France, hereditary enemies in
| the past, the closest relations of commerce
and friendship. While there does not exist
| between the French and English TIE same
natural and binding ties that we find between
Engllshmen and Germans, still in the move
ment OF affairs IN diplomatic interests they
are e:en more strong ly allied. France is the
only country in Europe upon which England
car depend TO assist her in maintaining the
route to the Indies. France is the natural
| ally of England in every question which NAV
lead to war, except, perhaps, the independence
of Belgium. Therefore any war between
/ Germany and France would necessarily in
volve England. II England We're to stand
| by and allow the destruction of France there
| could be no reason why Russia would not
march TO Constantinople.
England sees also that the misfortunes of
| France have become the opportunities of
! Russia. The recent war with Germany was
seized upon by the Russian power 10 abrogate
the Sebastopol treaty and allow Russia TO re-
sumo possession of the Black Sea All the
results of the war of twenty years ago were
destroyed by stroke of the pen, simply
| because France, which could have aided
England in cherishing them, was lying
bleeding at the point of Germany's sword.
| The public opinion of Europe Is in such a
! condition now that the next war must neces-
sarily be universal. 1t is hard TO see how
with these armaments growing larger and
larger every day, with the war spirit con-
| trolling the councils of the different empires,
with the soldiers making ready for the COM
bat, with so many angry questions at issue,
| questions like those between Bismarck and
the Holy See, calculated to rouse the deepest
| spirit of Indignation, how We could have any
war but one the most comprehensive and
| destructive in It's character. Nor can the
most far-seeing philosopher anticipate what
the result of such a war would be. Great
questions are brewing in Europe. The knowl'
edge of the people grows clearer and clearer
every day. The legend of divine right, the
time-honOred monuments of nobility and
royalty, the established churches, the estab'
lished castes aud established armies have nj
longer the same influence upon the common
people. In England especially We see public
opinion drifting rapidly from any allegiance
to either church or State. Tens of Thousands
of men assemble in Hyde Park to declare
that the Lord Chief Justice OF England is {
corrupt Judge and the verdict of an Englist
iury the result Of intimidation and fraud. 1
is easy enough for kings to make war, bu
can they control the people when war ha:
begun? England, therefore, in compelling
peace, has no doubt prevented revolution
the extent of which cannot be imagined.
|
IN the village of Sperenburg, about 2
miles distant from Berlin, is situated TN
daepest well in the world. 1t is for some dis