New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-01

same object in view as that Of the Car. name
ly. peace. and Is the outcome OF his manifesto
Is far more promising Her long end unrivalIed
experience as the monarch Of the greatest en-
pire of the world has convinced her that IL is
just as idle TO ask the governments Of Ger
many. Of Russia and Of France TO diminish their
ornaments as it would Re to ask that Great
Britain should dispense with the greater part OF
her magnificent navy. But there is no reason
whatsoever why the rulers az the great Powers
should not meet in congress and come to some
mutual understanding the subject Of all
points OF issue in such a manner might be
calculated 10 avert any International misunder-
standing or conflict for many years to come. II
may be remembered that the last congress OF
this kind was that which followed the over
throw Of the first Napoleon. vhen the sover-
eigns Of Austria. OF Russia and Of Prussia. after
first restoring King Louis XVIII TO the throne
Of France and taking counsel with him, pro-
ceeded to London to confer with King George
". then Prince Regent. The result Of these
meetings between the principal monarchs Of
Europe was a peace which lasted up to the time
OF the Crmean War. nearly half century later.
the great Powers constituting themselves a sort
Of police for the purpose Of keeping the minor
states in proper order.
At the time Of the fa! Of the first Napoleon
the princes Of the Old World were still over
whemed with the horror Of the terrible scenes
that had sgnaized the overthrow Of monarchy
in France and the subsequent revolution 1t
was. therefore. only natural that their union
should take the form OF an agreement to COM
bat everything that partook Of the nature OF re-
pubIicansm and democracy and while England
did not openly join what was known the
Holy Alliance. she to all ntents and purposes
formed part Of the latter until the deaths Of
King George w and Of his brother and success
sor. William ". In one word. the members Of
the last congress Of monarchs were convinced
that democracy a foe TO social order and
as such must be crushed.
No such idea prevails to-day. not even the
steps Of the thrones Of Europe There is not
sovereign in Europe who is not imbued with the
belief that the will II the people constitutes
sounder basis for the throne than divine right.
and who is not impressed with the idea that in
asmuch as II is impossible TO crush democracy
it is necessary 10 establish permanent alliance
therewith-in fact to keep the crown abreast
with democracy in the path Of progress and en-
lightenment. Even the Gar realizes this. and
there is far less autOcracy in his empire and an
infinitely greater degree Of regard for the Viii
OF the people than most foreigners would be
tempted 20 believe. II lay stress on this fact
il is merely in order to dispel any apprehensi1ns
that might be entertained as To the possibility
Of Queen Victoria's congress developing into
the same obstacle and foe to democracy as the
congress Of sovereigns earlier in the century
Queen Victoras scheme is to assemble next
May in London not only the Emperor and En-
press II Germany. the Car and Czarina. En-
peror Francis Joseph. King Humbert and
Queen Marguerite. but likewise = chief magis-
trates Of the United States and " France
President Faure. have reason to know. has al
ready been sounded the subject. and has
expressed his readiness to accept the invitation
Of Her British Majesty. while there is every
reason 10 believe that an analogous invitation
has been addressed to President Mckinley. The