The Wilmingtonian., 1885-07-18
Fifty YEARS A QUEEN.


to believe that theories antagonistic to mon
archical government are living and flourish
ing in the minds of intelligent individuals
throughout the world with greater vigor at
the present moment than at any previous
time in the worlds history.
Were the historical student asked to indi-
cate any moment when democratic princi-
pies might legitimately be expected to dom
mate mems minds, and in what countries
those ideas would be possible of fruition,
the Smollett, the Hume, or the Macaulay of
fifty yeals ago, and for that matter of GEN.
tury OF retrospective European history,
would point out England and would claim
great probability of their accomplishment
during this last quarter Of the nineteenth
century.
Local influences, however,. always gov
ern and int rfcre with theories and prognos-
tications based apparently upon the sound
ria reigns over England, her throne is the
firmest of any in Europe Were a concen-
sus of the English people taken to-day upon
the question of democracy or a monarchy,
it is safe to assert that the latter would only
receive its stronger confirmation. After all
the fact is not difficult to understand, for
practically the English people are more
really self-governing people than we are.
Witness how easily, even within the last
few weeks the whole government, that is to
say the practical government, has been en-
trely changed.
There was little or no expense attending
that act, no political hubbub, raucorous re-
ordinations. One man, the leader, quietly
stepped out, and his eatOura9e, his govern
mental theories, his foreign and domestic
policy, his secretaries aud uucerlDgs fol-
lowed him, and another king the Marquis
of Salisbury, reigns instead Of Gladstone.
Though this condition of government in
England existed prior to Yictorias ascent to
the throne, or even to that of the House Of
Hanover this peculiar course of ministerial
etiquette has been substantlated as an inte-
grail part of the British Constitution during
the present reign.
Since Victora's coronation in 1887 many
most importaot events have occurred in
! England and also on the continent Of Eu-
rope. Dynasties have been wiped out of
existence. The boundary lines of European
nationalities have been changed. Govern
ments upheaved, New families have taken
their seats upon thrones and have again
subsided into oblivion since Victoria COM
menced her reign.
France has changed from kingdom to a
republic, to an empire, and then back again
to a republic. Spain has had almost similar
experiences. The new, strong kingdom of
Italy has arisen upon the ashes of the king
dom Of Naples, the States of the Church,
Sardinia, and the nnumerable princcships Of
northern Italy. Spain and Portugal have
remained fixed quantities. Greece, under
the aegis of Ensand's recent prime minis
ter has emerged into the dignity of third
rate kingship.
Austria has lost Venice to Italy and moth
ing but a small strip is left her on the Adri-
attic. The Sultan's territory las been nib
bled at all around, the Danube still remains
his scientific" boundary in the north,
though the Balkan range is the practical
limit to his territory. Russia has accom-
plshed no new gain in Europe, but in Asia
and Asia Minor, especially on the Black
Sea littoral the Bear has occupied the an
cient territory of the House of Othman. OF
all European nationalities Germany has
made the most remarkable strides.
From the comparatively obscure kingdom
OF Prussia, the German Empire has emerged
like sunburst Under Bismarck it has de
veloped into the greatest continental power,
She has humbled the military pride OF the
most martial nation OF Europe, France,
The ancient vengeance of Prussia against
the first Ma: olcon has been accomplish.
ed.
No less in political than III commercial
annals, the present reign mas witnessed the
most marked changes. V!ctoria's corona
tion heralded steam navigation and the rail
way locomotive. Then followed iron ship
building, though at long interval. The
Crystal Palace Exposition, the first of thu
great universal exhibitions of industry fol
lowed, impcling wonderful progress in bust
ness.
Among the pol teal events of this era art
notably Catholic, Jewish and Negro emanci
patton by Act of Parliament; the extension
of the franchise, establishment of nationa
schools and universities. The solidificatiol
of the empire, including the titular sover
eighty of Hindostan. 1t would be impossi
BILE to catalogue the names of the numer
GUS litterateurs, soldiers and savants tina
have risen and died since Victoria came tt
the throne.