The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-24

should cause a tremor OF apprehension
10 run thu rough every cabinet OF arbi-
trary power 10 the Old World, many
thousand miles away II is reported
that even Chancellor Bismarck himself
regards ths deposition Of Dom Pedro
and the increasing agitation in Portu-
gal resulting from it, with such serio1s
concern that he is calling upon the dif-
fercnt monarchies to strengthen through
the powerful influence Of their various
ambassadors at Lisbon, the quaking
throne of the youthful king OF the
Portugese.
An event like this reveals the extent
TO which Republican sentiment prevails
in Europe-a sentiment which - not
allow ed to disclose iteelf through the
press or in demonstrations; but which
shows Itself mosf Enthusiastically in such
an hour az this in the alarm which
those in power find it impossible to
conceal. European RepuDlicanism'
how ever. emitting England, and posi-
bly France from consideration, isa very
different form Of National opinion from
The American. In fact, ss q rule, ii
merely reflects the discomfort OF GER
tam elements with existing social and
industrial. az well as political coDdi-
tions. 10 few instances 10 the sentiment
marked by that temperate and dlscTim'
mating character which we observe
among the citizens Of the United States,
who have been educated from their
| birth under the influences OF free in-
| stitutions. European Republicans range
| all the way from the beggar n Bo-
hemian to doctriDaires of wealth and
talent whoar saturated with the teach
| ings of socialistic and political philoso-
pliers.
France seems 10 have been able to
maintain a Republican form OF govern
ment fer a generation, but it il doubt
ful whether it would stand the strain
of q great crisis in the relations of the
other powers. The local continuity Of
the European nations is such that 1t is
open to serious question whether 1t IS
not a positive necessity of the local cir
cumstancss in which they are placed
that they shall remain under
monarchlcal control for a practically
indefinite time. The tendency of the
ago among all civilized nations
is towards an enlargement OF the pow
err of the people, but upon the Euro
pean Continent this tendency is very
much modified by the absence OF natu-
raj local barriers between the powers.
Ii 10 the '~'silver streak of sea" that has
kept old England free and allowed her
political spirit to gradually evolve itself
into its present strong leaning towards
Republicanism. The continental nations.
on the other hand, stand with arms pre-
sented and prepared t. fire upon each
other at the first sign Of aggression.
Republican government is not suffi
GENTLY direc. and arbitrary to be equal
10 the requirements of a situation that
demands the utmost alertness, diligence
and intelligence, and, above all. the
ability to employ on the instant all the
forces to repel attack. at command. No,
until a love of peace has spread through
ali ranks of continental society will the
European peoples adopt Republican in
st%itutiops founded on the American
principle. As long as it shall be noces
slry to keep up standing armies, so long
will monarchy last in Europe. When
these armies shall be disbanded, the
millennium will have arrived. We
may add that there is no present sign
that we are upon the eve Of Its advent.
since European ingenuity is now chiefly
exercised rs to how to increase the
effectiveness of these armies.