The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-01-06
One Hundred Years in France.

MR. EDITOR One hundred years
have French Republicans been strug-
Cling to overcome internal and exter-
nal foes, and now are bearing aloft in
thescenter Of the MOI archical world
the proudest and grandest standard
ever upheld by a Republic. Belea-
guered and waylaid on every side,
alone ard without aid or sympathy,
with singleness of purpose, night and
day, they fought on, and came out of
the chains and despotism of thousand
In the mean time they have extended
helping hand to fellow democrats on
Q new continent, and kept away the
enemies that would interfere with the
establishment OF free institutions in
the new world. o.,. M
When few years ago the Prussian
Autocrst sought to place German
prince on the throne of Spain, not
only to curb the Republican tenden-
cies of that country, but to hem in
and threaten the aspirations of the re-
publicans of France, he met with a
protest, feebly maintained, it is true,
by reason of circumstances, both then
and now capable of easy explanation.
He conquered. He took Paris. He
dismembered France. He helped re-
publicanism to overthrow imperialism
and at length went homo the worst
whipped hero that ever drew q sword.
He left France . Republic He did
precisely the last thing he thought OF
doing, either himself or his willy min
ister, or any of the wise monarchial
eracles of Europe or America. He
took the burden off the republic =,
FrenchDae,a, that has already cheerful
ly paid him his expenses, and now bids
defiance to all inside aud outside enc.
mics and no thanks to the people OF
government Of the United, States
where republican principle, As well al
common gratitude, are forgotten in
adapting their texts and condition te
the rule Of President and his house.
hold for life. .....
To build up . somewhat equitable
government out Of and among poor
emigrants, in fresh country, requires
much hsrdihood aud muscle. but nc
great outlay Of wisdom, justice OF
statesmanship.. 1t has required bstll
muscle and mind, endurance and pa.
tiesce, to make q living brood of rich
rebea priests and royal spendthrifts,
put off their gay apparel and look fer
their living in some other quarter; to
waken up the industries, and intro.
ducc comfort and prosperity among
IN oppressed and despairing people.
We should not confound the labor OF
settling America with the duty of re-
publicanizing it. We had NO long es-
tablished and powerful systems to
first clear away.
To attack Bourbonism was to strike
at all the crowned heads Of Europe.
Hence, for the last hundred years they
have; made common cause against
France. She was about to be crushed
when Bonsparts came to save her.
He was q necessity for time to the
republicans. The next difficulty arose
from not being able to determine the
exact time when he was not. This
same difficulty arose in after years,
when the second Bonaparte was found
at the head of French affairs, where
he was placed by the peculiar cendi-
tien of tho parties. Both Of the Bona
parties had been necessities; and now
Bismark became another necessity, to
remove former necessity and all for
the benefit Of republicanism. Repub-
lican France to-day returns thanks to
them all. i-a.9i5..
The German Will nave no prince i'll
Spain, and Allsaca and Lorraine will
yet be attoned.
The race is yet to be run between
Fsench and American democracy. The
former has the more difficulties to con.
tend with, but it would be safe to BET
en- France at the end Of the next cen.
tnrv ..- ...If.-5 PIINJITs