Year: 1873

Woria-TAe war Against Ceesartsm
I'm France and spain-Have We n
Republican Form OF Government
The nations of the world are so closely
bound together that what affects one will in
many ways affect another. 1t is impossible to
have social and commercial relations with
countries like France and Germany and Spain
| and not in some way be controlled by the
political emotions and agitations which sweep
over them. The war against Church influence
in Germany is q problem that has not been
without a parallel in our own local history,
and many gloomy y-minded prophets still think
that there will be even graver religious COM
| plications in the future. Spain is wrestling
with that same spirit of slavery and slavehold-
| ing arrogance which compelled us to sacrifice
so much blood and treasure in its overthrow,
while there are problems in France now IN
process of solution which may well demand
our gravest attention, and from which we may
learn lessons of wisdom.


Although we know so much more of all that
is needful in politics and natural economy
than any other people, there is much to be
learned from these warm, subtle countries of
the South. In the North we see the lusty,
vigorous and valiant Russian and German and
Saxon. History shows what they have done
in war and conquest We do not venture to
think what is still possible to them after
Sadowa and Sedan. But in the finer elements
of character-the subtle qualities of states
manship and progress--the world has learned
nothing since the times of Machiavelli. In
literature, art, political economy, the laws of
finance and trade architecture, music, what
have we learned in the North? What have
we that has not come from the Southp Two
mighty names, the shadow of whose genius
rests upon the world like an aurora
Shakespeare and Goethe-come from the
North but it is the North as
moulded and tinted by centuries of Southern
taste and light When we see what we see in
Spain and France and Italy, it is we'll to pause
and apply to our own conditions Of national
life the problems there seeking solution. We
may in the future have to undergo even more
exhausting struggles unless we build wisely
now. It is so much easier to build than
to rebuild. The Spaniards and Frenchmen Of
to-day are in the throes Of social and political
agony to undo what was vainly done by their
fathers No similar problems oppress us, for
with us every problem is solved by the pro-
digious wealth and richness of our soil-the
vast sections Of unimproved land awaiting the
emigrant, the readiness with which wealth is
gained. But there was time when land was
free to the people of the Mediterranean, when
money was earned easily, when society had no
vexing, heartrending problems; and, SO far
as richness of soil is concerned, we have never
surpassed France in our harvests nor Spain in
the variety of our mineral wealth. And what
these Mediterranean countries see may in
time come home to US.


What is the question in Spain and Francep
As we understand it, simply this How best
can Spaniards and Frenchmen rule their
native lands, securing to all life, liberty and
the pursuit Of happiness? How best can
4 there be q genuine republican form of govern
ment? What is the question in the United
States? No more nor less than this: Shall
we have republican form of government?


We dismiss from consideration all sentimental
and fantastic questions of politics. 1t is not
whether we shall have protection or free trade,
suffrage to one class or another, centraliza-
ton or State rights. These questions will
determine themselves. But shall we have a
republican form of government? The thought
in the minds of most of our politicians is,
Shall we nominate General Grant for
third time? It is true the thought
has not found general expression. 1t
| is spoken, if at ALL with bated breath
and whispering humbleness. An occasional
worshipper of power announces in q truculent
manner that we have found new Washing
ton and we must keep him. Some of the
enemies of General Grant insist in mocking
way that he shall be at once nominated But
there is no general expression on the subject.
The want of this expression is grave indica-
ton. Suppose Mr.. johnson, or General
Pierce, or Mr.. Buchanan had, either of
them been mentioned as o candidate for three
terms, how promptly we should have been told
the liberties of the country were in danger
Now we hear no sound. Nothing is clearer
than that the henchmen of General Grant,
the men who have gained honor and wealth
out of his administration, and who see in bis
denomination and reelection their own con-
tinuance in power, mean to insist upon his
denomination. The arguments are all at
hand: we are doing SO well, the business of
the country needs SO much tranquility, the
South is so restless in the absence of firm
hand, General Grant has been so admirable,
and so on, that we cannot run the risk of new
experiments.


| This is SO much more probable because,
as we have shown before, the political situa-
| ton is in the hands of General Grant He is as
completely master as was ever Jefferson, Jack
son or Lincoln. Never was President SO
submissively obeyed. Never was o party SO