San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-11-27
Despotism and Democracy.

To those who look beneath the
surface of European events and poll
tics, two movements, adverse TO each
other, will appear TO DO in quiet, yet
very distinct progress.
On the one hand, monarchial rulers
and all the social and political forces
which thrive by and are attached to
monarchy, are engaged in the at.
tempt to strengthen the monarchial
system.
On the other hand, the champions
OF political liberty, large numbers OF
the people, and certain extreme and
fanatical elements are striving, some
times by orderly and legal agitation,
sometimes by violent methods and &C.
cret combination, to ovorturn thrones
and nobilities, and set up more pop
Mar governments.
The evidences of these two opposite
movements are constantly multiply
ing and it is worthy of note that
they seem to be in progress in nearly
every European country.
The most important recent event
bearing on this state of things was the
meeting of the emperors of Russia,
Germany and Austria in Poland.
, While the potentates gathered togeth-
err with their chief administers ut the
council table, or at the festive board,
no doubt discussed many subjects of
mutual INTERCEPT, the chief topic with
which they Ltlst have dealt was tho
ominop& growth of democratic ideas
and purposes in their respective
nealms.
1t is not hazardous, indeed, to
guess that tho emperors met mainly
for the purpose of concerning meas
ures to repress the increasing move
ment of the peoples against their
thrones, and Of combining their pow
ers to fasten their rule more firmly
than ever upon their subjects.
In France, at the same time, we
see the monarchists and imperalists
trying to stir up IN agitation against
the Republic, and making nm effort
to induce the French people to re-
turn to monarchy or IN empire.
In Belgium, the choice of reaction
ary chamber by the nation has result
ed, as we have lately seen, in n for
inidable revolutionary movement, in
which the throne of King Leopold
has been put in peril. The little
kingdom on tho Scheldt is feeling n
schock of the collision between des-
potism and democracy which exists
everywhere in Europe.
Symptoms OF the same irrepressible
coAict appear in Spain. High hopes
have been cherished that the historic
land of Cervantes and Charles the V.
was on the high road to republican
liberty. But n cabinet composed OF
men who were intent on giving great
empower to the monarchy and of lin
iting the rights of the people, has
within few months been installed
at Madrid, and is ruling Spain with
an iron hand.
The struggle between the reaction
airy and the progressive forces Of pol
itics in Europe betrays itself, though
in mild form, even in free and con-
stitutional England. The rejection
of the franchise bill by the house of
Lords, and the agitation which has
famed up since all over the British
island, is distinctly conflict between
those who desire, rs far rs possible,
to up hold the throne and mobiles.
and those who wish to establish in
England thorough system of gov
eminent by the people.
We cannot doubt the final result
of the issue which is thus raised be-
tween the rulers of Europe aud their
subjects. The future is surely for
equality and liberty, and not for OPP
preston and privilege. 1t may be
that the people can only become free
after terrible and longcontinued con
vulsions. But there is reason to
to hope that the end may be reached
by orderly and even peaceful APP
proaches. II Youths Companion.
AmericaniEing Great Britain.
II has been as good as decided that