The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-19

been civilizations in winch violence
and debauchery have held sway usu-
ally at the same times. Revolutions
in Asia have frequently made changes
that were changes of masters for the
masses, without Improvement for
them, often actually injurious to
them. When the Russians succeedei
the babylonians and Assyrians they
improved the condition Of the natives
subject To their vast empire, but gov
erned it largely in the same mistaken
way. They were not SO harsh, how
ever. and their religion and morality
were of superior type, if their
science and culture We're inferior. The
Parthian empire, preceding the rule
of the Romans in the Far East was
little helpful to the vast populations
of the EuphrateS Valley and the CEN
tire of the continent. The, empire
of Alexander's successors had carried
everywhere Greek art and letters ano
therefore had bettered the oriental
,orld b. conquest. But the rule OF
Genghis Khan and the Mongols. snort
lived fortunately, blotted out the
epherdoes of the Caliphate OF Bagdad
founded on the religion of Mahomet
the science of the Chaldees and the
literature and philosophy OF the
Greeks. 1t IS said by hungarian and
English authorities, SO eminent a.
that Russia's conquests of the frag,
mentS of the old Tartar empire the
Khanates of Independent Tartary
nave caused "a deterioration in the
condition 0f the population there in
almost every respect. Thus We see
taking brief view of only a view
of the more prominent revolutions III
the East. revolution does not neces-
sarily improve the people or popuia-
=, In m
In France, whose genius her great
Republican historian Martin contends
is Gallo, not Trankish. revolution
usually has had q progressive ten
dency Under the empire OF the
Frank con"uerors of Gaul the Carlo
vingiau succession to the Merovingian
dynasty. which was really reyolu-
ton, was a most decided improve
ment. The Capetians brought furth-
err charges. eventually of benefit to
medieval France. But the govern
mental revolution. quietly effected, BIZ
which the estates no longer assem-
hled and the gradual reduction of al
local authority to the Kings sole au-
;hority. were unfortunate for liberty
and aided materially in impoyerishing
the peasantry Of that country and in
bringing on the great revolution OF
1889.
Revolutions in Continental Europe
since the French set the way have
overturned illiberal Bourbon govern
ment in Italy. have given Hungary
equal participation in the affairs O.
the Hapsburg empire with Austria
have assisted indirectly, perhaps, IN
the unification and Improvement of
Germany.
In England revolution has been the
means under Saxon, Norman and
modern English rule of securing
radical reforms without destruction
of the social fabric and almost al
ways With hetterment. The old Witan
did not hesitate, wnen it WAS the
popular will. to dispose tyrannlcai
king and set ~ new and more lib
eral sovereign. And SO mas IT'S sue
cesser the Parliament. Revolution
not merely conquest. brought III VIII
liz m from Normandy: il extorteo
ma rra cbarta from John. the petition
of tight from Charles: il drove James
from his throne; it secured Il success
sion 10 the House of Hanson, Ana
later still, another sort or revolution
obtained for the public the great Re-
form Bin.
Russia has no history comparable
with that we have cited. But even
the Muscoyite is proud that his an
cestors drove out the TartarS ana es-
tablished an empire whose ideal was
that Of the old Romans. Peter Wheh
he showed his barbarianS how 10 De
modern men and women accomplish
ed both a. social and a political reNo-
jutjon. And Peters victory over the
mad Charles OF Sweden at FulioWa
was in itself o great revolution in
the politics of Europe. for IL subS1i-
tuted Russia for Sweden and Russia
has had since Il mightier place In
European affairs than Sweden ever
had or could have had. | except OF
course. the brief interval IN the
Thirty Years War. IL. therefore
Russia is lacking in preparation Of a
certain kind for u great popular re-
yoiutiop. she is not without olher
which may avail her. Her
people have in their communal Or
common to all me AfEai;
race. q sufficient centre Of action. AND
this may create, through q unity OF
the Zemstvos, gradually. an organ
lied free people capable of self-goN-
ernment. respecting themselves ana
By others.
A communication on the editorial
page of the washington Post giving
q letter OF Reverdy Johnson. June
81. 1861, 10 Edward Everett, causes
me 20 write this memorandum OF d
subject I have treated 81 more
deliberately in my History of the Sec
tional struggle The facts have long
been known to me. ! merely feteI
to the letter as a starting point. The
subject was several times discussed
between the late lalnented and ex-
cellent Daniel Rive Goodloe and my
self in the Congressional Library
while | was engaged in the preparii-
ton &c the two volumes OF my work
already prepared-one OF when olliy
has been published.
Neither Jefferson nor Calhoun, the
most conspicuous advocates OF me
state rights doctrines. WAS ever the
advocate OF secession per sc or is 10
be held responsible for that doctrine
On the other hand New England poll
ticians from before the adoption of
the last Constitution persistently urged
the right of separation at the viii of
any one State desiring tn take the
step. II WIS so in the matter of the
Mississippi river and Spain in 1886;
IL was so. again, in the matter of the
of Louisiana Territory
and the admission of the State of
Louisiana. 1908 aud 1911. and in 1914.
in the matter of the Embargo. the
New England States commended for
The naked right. The annals OF Con-
gress of the early period are full Of
laf 11n