Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-10
CLEAR, CRISP AND CLEAN
A NEW REPUBLIC

nEPUBLICAN thought has taken
X. POSSESSION of the mind of Portu-
~ gal, and by the unfailing opera
ton of the spiritual law in the natural
world, the thought will evolve the con-
crete consequence, and Portugal will
disestablish the monarchy and replace
it by a constitutional republican form
of government. The revolution will be
bloodless. There will be no "barri-
cades." There will be no Marseillaise.
The representatives of the Portuguese
people will meet. and, in old-fashioned
phrase, 1.-THE affairs of the monarchy
will be wound up" decently and in
order. and the republic will succeed the
Kingdom without break or jar.
What provides food for thought is not
the fact of the approaching establish
ment of republic in a little land that
has been progressing toward freedom
and enlightenment in government for
many years, but is the consideration of
what may be the effect upon Portugars
European neighbors, especially her
nearest neighbor, Spain, of the estab-
lishment of another European republic.
France, near by, is a republic. Switzer
land, not far remote, is republic.
Does the impending peaceful revolution
in Portugal indicate that the monarch
les of Europe may be succeeded within
a few years-speaking comparatively
by republics? And after that what
will be the next sten in the logical
rol, Of he will
agree upon a basis of mutual defense
and offense.
Then will come confederation. Long
ago. as far back as during the period
of the Napoleonic wars, it was pointed
out by timorous British writer's that
the idea of continental federation was
the real inspiration of the Corsican,
and with a little more stability of char
acter-with a little more of the spirit
of George Washington in him-with
some appreciable trace of Cromwellian
self-denial in his curious composition,
he would have resisted the temptation
of imperialism, of Caesarism, of Abso-
lutism, and would have ended his days
as he began his days, the popular
leader of the liberation of Europe, in
stead of the defeated and rejected des-
pot, boring the rare visitors to St.
Helena with the idle garrulity of prema-
ture senility and inventing tedious ex-
plantations of why he did not win
Waterloo.
1t was the fear of isolation rather
than the fear of possible conquest and
annexation by confederated Europe
that impelled, or let us say COM
PEELED, the British to intervene
for the subordination of the trough
house" conditions created by Napoleon
on the continent. The attitude of iro-
lated Britain toward modern Europe
composed of republics and probably
confederated may easily be surmised.
Although the British isles are in
Europe they are not of Europe. Their
traditions merge, their laws coincide,
their customs are identical. their
churches and creeds agree, with those
of the United States of North America.
They share language, literature, laws,
churches. creeds and history, and in
course of time they will share that
larger, kingless freedom OF which the
younger country. through thick and
ihins has been the exemplar and the
protector. Let us hope and pray that,
returning to her first principles. and
forever remaining trua to them, Amer
lea will maintain her place as the leader
OF enlightened. English speaking civil
ization during the approaching crisis.
The English speaking countries
that now form part of the British en-
pire will fall easily and naturally into
their places as component parts of the
Greater United States, and English
speaking civilization will still lead hui
man progress. It's merry bugles will
play reyeilIe for the slumbering inn
pulses Of justice. kindness, humanity
and truth.