The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-01-27
THE YEAR 1874.
A Retrospectfve vicw---NofabIe Events---
What Hns Been DONE

What Hns Been Done.
The year 1874 will be remembered
among the noted years of the worlds
history. Although, not an epoch like
those which saw the falling of the Bastils,
the Declaration of Independence, Water
loo and Sedan, it has been full of instruc-
tive experiences. In all the world, with
the exception of Pyrenees, South
American State, -jungle-hidden realm
in Africa, an island in the China sea and
far distant colonial acquisition of Hol-
land, there has been peace. But even
this peace has been feverish, uncertain,
and with anxieties almost as intense as
those of war. The heavens have been
dark with rolling clouds, the smoke of
smoulderlng enmities, now and then
lightning flashes and ominous tokens,
thunder and rain. ( Europe has not for
gotten the terrible struggle of the Rhine.
All Its enmlties still live in the yearnings
OF the Frenchman for revenge and the
resolution of the Germans to hold the
provinces won with German blood. The
peace which was to have come with the
overthrow of the Napoleon dynasty is
not peace, but . tumultuous and ostenta-
tious preparation for war. The genius.
the resources and the industries of two
mighty nations have been subverted to
martial ends. AS we learn from the dis
patches Of Prince Bismarck to Count
Arn'm the question of peace and war
even when the year 1874 opened de-
pended upon the slenderest chance, His
tory shows how the results of gigantic
war may influence for years to come not
ealy the nations concerned in the strug-
gle but the neighboring nations united
to them by commercial and social ties.
The whole political life of Europe during
the year 1874 has been controlled by the
results OF the French and German war.
and by the necessities which peace has
imposed upon Bismarck and MacMahon.
Europe has during the year been as an
armed camp. Russia breads the ambition
OF Germany to extend its frontier along
the Baltic. Austria fears that the aspira,
hon for united Germany may seek to in
clude Vienna in the Fatherland. Belgium.
occupied by one Napoleon, and menaced
by another, is alarmed for the integrity
OF dominion which represents Saxon
fear of French ambition. Holland is
not certain that she may not also become
necessary to the Fatherland." Eng
land thinks that Napoleon's scheme of q
channei invasion may be attempted by
the trained soldiers Of Moltke, and that
q powerful navy is necessary to protect
from possible harm the slver-coasted
island
So, as we have said, Europe. during
disciphne.E2 There are more armed men
now marching and countermarcbinp he
tween the English seas and the Ural
mountains than were ever known in the
heighth Of the French wars, when Ma
poleon was master and all Europe march
ed to beat him down. AS if to add to
these anxious complications we have n
religious Question. as grave as that which
introduced the Thirty Years War. The
policy OF Bismarck looks beyond the
dream OF united Germany. That astute
and dar1ng statesman emrlates the fame
OF Gustavus Adolphus, and aims to be-
come the leader of q areligiousreformatio
blsmarck's aim has been to unite Prote-
stantlsm under the flag of Prussia. The
relations between Germany and the Holy
oee which Mt the beginning of the year
were smpiys an estrangement are now
those OF violent hostility. The Pope
hurl5 his anethemas at the Emneror
Bismarck publicly charges the Jesuita
with having sdriven Napoleon to war.
The prosecution and the trial of Count
Ar,inn have been among the extraordi-
nary events Of the year, and the result,
which is accepted as n practical acauittal
OF the Count, is regarded as the first
check which Bismarck has received in
ms extraordinary and brilliant career.
In tho nieantine France has been steadi-
iy marching to republicanisnn, dragging
with 1T she reluctant MacMahon. The
SepteEnate, which was to have fallen be-
fore iss first year closed, lives mainly be-
cause OF the patient conservatism of the
fepG ''lican iea.l .lar3. This admirable poll
cy OF regarding republicanism as some
thing to grow, like the oak tree or the
coral arock,ato. slowly gather life and
strength, has preserved order, stiniu-
lated property and added vs1tly to the
good opiuioasl entsrtained of France.
The only parties who havs disturbed
France are tho monarchists. Republ-
canism is no longer destructive but a
conservative force. Whenever the cleo
tions have spoken France has declared
for tho Republic. Whathor the coming
year will deal as gently with the Septen-
nate 81 1874, or whether, as Is feared
now, tho intTigues of tho monarchists
may compel coup detat and dictator
ship. is q problem. But no government
that can now be established in France
will live but the Republic.