The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-09-06
SPREADING The EMPIRE.


Bismarck'S purpose has been to iso-
late France from the other European
powers. and in this he has about sue
ceeded through the Triple Alliance.
Having thus diminished tue defensihle
powers OF France, it may not be I'M
reasonable to guess that the prince
gives the clue for the German press to
raise a little war cloud. 1t has been
decidedly unpleasant to monarchists
to see the French republic holding on
with tenacity to its political existence,
and even growing in power, while adj
verse interests fail to weaken its hold
upon the minds of Frenchmen. The
existence of the republic sets
Il dangerous example to
the thinking subjects of the
Iron Chancellor, for there are
plenty of thoughtful men in Germa-
ny, who look forward to popular gov
eminent. 1t may be his purpose to
encourage the Chinese to oppose the
encroachments OF the French at Ton
quin, as it may also be his purpose
to build up Il feeling in Mexico
against the influence of the United
States. The willy despot is playing a
bold hand in game for the agran-
disement Of imperial Germany, and
it may be that in his zeal he may over
step those bounds which are best cal
culated to preserve imperial integrity.
The peoples of the world are
wearied out with sustaining these
glittering governmental institutions,
and everywhere there is popular
craving for popular freedom. for
greater simplicity In government, for
the reasonable expenditure of rev.
enues, and for less taxation. People
want to be emanc ipated, and, though
the cunning of Bismarck may for
time postpone such consnnmation,
after a while it must come. AS
France proposes to plant republican
ideas in Eastern Asia, so may Ger
many hope to weaken republicanism
il the Western hemisphere by plant
ing an influence where it may do
the most good. The greatest
characteristic OF the Mexican
mind is duplicity, and while hundreds
of millions of American capitol is be-
ing invested in improving Mexico,
Bismarck may hope, by lending Ger
man gold or bonds, to obtain foot
hold in the land of the Aztecs, through
which its people may be taught to
submit to constitutional changes in
their form of government. That a
monarchial power did attempt to plant
an empire on the ancient seat of em-
pires and failed, is no evidence that
another may not make SINH
lar attempt. Bismarck hates the
French government no more than he
does that of the United States. He
would break down both as impede
ments to human slavery. The on
slaughts of the German press reflect
the opinions of the great monarchist.
They are outbursts of his fury against
popular government, and there may
be no doubt that war will follow ii
the preteXts present themselves.
France is hardly in a condition to
resent the milder demonstrations of
aggression, but these may be followed
by holder and CALLING insults, driving
the republic to resentment. She has
no natural ally on the other
side of the Atlantic, but the man
ner in which Germany attempts
to doctor Mexico may give her one on
this side. France, as q republic,
aided the struggling colonies, and it
might not be improper, little over a
hundred years afterwards, for the
compliment to be returned. No doubt
Bismarck thinks he is preparing the
way for the overthrow of all popular
government in Europe, and he may
even succeed. But may he not take
unto himself enough rope to hang
himself There is a slumbering ele-
ment in Europe, which has made itself
felt in Russia, and in Austria, and in
England, and the very representative
of Imperialism in Germany has been
subjected to its dangerous influence,
that awaits the bare chance of boldly
opposing monarchies with wealth and
blood. Let Bismarck, if he will,
war on republican France, and de-
tenders will flock, to its standards
from all parts of Europe. German
hauteur, that has grown offensive be-
cause the imperial eagles.
not many years ago, made
Gauls bend in submission
to imperial dictates, may be shorn of
its arrogance. While Bismarck en-
cages France, the United States may
inquire by what authority he inter-
feres, on this side the Atlantic, by
treaties in which the interests of this
country are not considered. Filled
with arrogance the German chan
cellor does not stop to consider
that he boldly attacks human indie
pendence, in which the civilized world
takes interest. He is powerful, in
deed, but governments even have been
known to grow drunk on power, and,
when attempting to make it felt, they
have then found themselves in condi-
ton to tumble and fall. Germany,
as a power, has done well enough. 1t
may be the part of wisdom for it to
remain satisfied with that which be-
longs to natural boundaries, not at
tempting to extend control to points
where consanguinity ceases to eXer-
else cohesive influence.
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