Year: 1863

them and clothed them with political
power, and because they had been sue
cessful here. In order to understand
the European feeling, they should
consider what was the relation of
those ideas to the future structure of
European society, and to the position of
parties in Europe. It was not enough to
sly that if we were right, the principal
governments of Europe were wrong.
Europe might be divided into two parts,
the upper and the lower. The upper rep
resented dynastic ideas. They held the


wealth and the power, and, for the most


part, the intelligence. The lower held
| neither wealth nor average intelligence,


nor altogether skill. They held the


masses of men, and through Europe the


masses OF men were struggling for high
er manhood-tor political power-not that
they might be crowned and corOnetted,


but simply that they might have room
| and Influence to become more like men
thar they had been permitted to be.


There was one-ffth of the population on
the surface, and four tifths below, and as
fast as they were instructed they would


be in favor of American ideas, because
they were radically subversive of mon
archical ideas. 1t was not surprising
then, that men who believed in thrones
and absolute governments could accept
American ideas without being false to
their own. We had studied our home as
poets of American ideas hitherto, and it
would be well to study their relations to
foreign ideas. As theories, American
ideas would have exerted still an indirect
and positive influence; but now that they
were things-when they were the life of
the people-the whole world heard and
felt the trembling of their football. This
great continent was now reared up in the
sight of Europe, and all that We did, all
that We were, and all that We intended to
become, was perfectly understood there.
1t was blessed to the common people, but
pestiferous to the rulers (Applause)
The realization of good government
among people that governed themselves is
very dangerous thing for Europe and
the Continent. 1t was dangerous to have
it known in England that there was no
government so stable and so fruitful of
good as that which sprang directly from
the people and was responsible every year
to the people. That overthrow every sim
gle foundation. (Cheers.) And when
Americans were angry because Europe
was not in sympathy with this country,
they should stop to reflect that they were
All organized chronic assault upon Euro
pean ideas. daughter and applause)
American society and life was perpet-
ual demolition or tendency toward
demolition of their foundations. He
wondered the English had been SO
patient. (Renewed laughter and applause }
The maintenance of a vast govern


ment so cheaply as ours have been main
tained had very damaging influence. It
had been said that America did not med
die with European politics. That was
false, for every State in the Union med
died with them unconsciously. We sent
no missionaries nor promulgated no the
orie', but We set an example. Did not
liberty meddle with oppression the world
over? Could America say from year to
year to all the Overtaxed and burdened
people on the continent" You are
squandering millions on a government
that oppresses you we waste none, but
pay few cheap thousands for a govern
ment that nOurishes u.s. y" Could the people
of this country say that and not affect
Europe? l tell you, said Mr.. Beecher,
that there is no other one thing that is
said to the common people of Europe so
efficacously as this. Look at that great
American nation governed with 50 little
friction at so little cost 1t is an argu-
ment that everybody understands and that
nobody is able to answer. The security
of property in self governed community
and the safety of the people is al authen-
ticated by the example of this nation.
One OF the reasons why we are so much
misrepresented in this regard (and upon
which l shall have occasion to dwell
little more at length in the sequel OF my
discourse this evening" is that they are
anxious that this nation shall not be under
stood to be too happy and too secure 1t
is their interest to represent that we are
not well governed, and that life and pro-
perty is not secure on this continent The
dignity and safety Of making every citizen
an elector and candidate tor any Office
in the gift of the people, has most DO
tent moral influence adverse to dynastic


notions in Europe. The power of such o


nation to defend itself both against


foreign and civil war is also sharply in


Weighing against the example of European


institutions and ideas. No wonder the
advocates of absolutism take sides against


us, for just as sure as prophecy or fate the


continued example Of this people in their
prosperity under their governments and


under their American ideas-just as sure
as there is Providence or God, it will
compel Europe from end to end either to
reform or to revolutionize. (Applause. }


You know it; they know it great deal


better. You rejoice and they deplore.


And when, therefore, there is the glitter
ing sword and the cloud of blood, and the
prospect of disruption and taxations, and