Year: 1872

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most important questions now agitatlng the
Legislatures Of the old world arise from ex-
isting or proposed systems OF education. Ihere
is movement in favor Of liberal modilica-
tions in the laws regulating public instruction
which is so general that it would seem almost
concerted. In Spain tho emancipation OF the
schoolmasters from the tyranny of the clergy
il well-nigh complete. 1t is true that this en-
franchisement is accompanied by simultane-
Gus relief from the work of drawing their
salaries, no money having been paid by the
treasury to such obscure officers for some
time past. But when tho Cubans are extermi-
mated Spain will DO rich and happy, and they
will begin to pay their schOOlmasters again.
Tn Italy, the quarrel between the Pope and
the King inures to the advantage or free
Schools. In France, the battle has not yet
been fairly joined between the advocates OF
Law education and the Ultramontane party, but
the coming conflict is already a source OF grave
disquietiide to politicians. Mr.. Thiers, when
he lately went out Of office and back again,
said it would not be long before he would
have to resign again, and mentioned the School
question as one which would probably prove
one of the most dangerous of the immediate
future. The same question is undoubtedly one
of the most delicate and important which now
confront the Cabinet Of Mr.. Gladstone, and
the future of the present Liberal organization
in England largely depends upon the success
with which it is met and disposed of.


1t seems easier to emancipate people thor
oughly and promptly from despotism than to
make one step forward among people hereto
fore free. The question of education excited
some eloquent and rather passionate discus
sion in the Spanish Cortes, but was, after all,
a less thOrny Cabinet matter than 1T is to-day
in England. Austria passed the so-called
confessional Laws for the emancipation OF
conscience and intelligence, with the bitter
opposition of the Court party and the Church,
but with less serious danger of Crisis than
that through which Prince Bismarck has
just passed successfully. The passage
through both branches Of the Prussian Par
lament of the Education bill is, perhaps,
the most important personal triumph yet
achieved by this redoubtabe statesman.
When this law, removing the inspection of
schools entirely from the Church, and vesting
it in the State, was adopted in the Lower
House by the chilling majority Of twenty-six.
there seemed to be little prospect of its sue



Lords. The King seemed disincned to use
his enormous influence in its favor, while the
Frauenzimmer of the Palace were actively and
openly hostile TO it. OF course the Catholic
and UluamOntane influence which the measure
was primarily intended to counteract resisted 1t
with desperate energy. The Pietist Protestant
party was scarcely less bitter. For Prince
Bismarck, in his effort to free the schools
from the danger of Catholic and Separatist
Influences, was compelled, for the sake of
avoiding the appearance Of partiality, to de-
prive the Protestant clergy of the control Of
the schools of their ewn faith. This party
has always had great strength in the circles
of tho aristocracy where the social influence
of the Palace is strongest, and the Upper
House has generally faithfully mirrOred the
prevailing sentiment in this society. Prince
Bismarck never exhibited greater courage than
in boldly taking the responsibility of this
policy and declaring that he would stand or
fall with it. What seemed audacity was pos
siby insight An irreyerent French writer re-
Gently said that the text of European politics
at present Is, "the fear OF Bismarck is the be-
"ginning of WISDOM" and there is no question
but this saving respect for their tyranncal





the German aristOcracy. 1t is hard to get on
with him, but they imagine, perhaps justly,
that it would be harder to get on without
him. 1t is not easy to say how much his i'm
mense personal weight would be worth to the
privileged classes in the now dormant conflict
between them and the forces of democracy.
When the crazy Polish enthusiast Westerwelle
uttered his silly vaporings about assassinating
the Chancellor, there was no class of Germans
who were more frightened at the prospect of
what might happen to them in the event of
such catastrophe than those stOlid mobiles
who most dread him, and most resent his des-
potic rule. There is no doubt that the ex-
element over this foolish incident did much
to fortify Prince Bismarck in the final trial of
strength in the Herrenhaus and contributed to
the majority by which the Education bill was
finally passed.


While it is difficult to accept with full con-
fdence the bold statement of Bismarck that
the Catholic Church is laboring for the dis
ruptOh Of Germany, it is highly probable that
such result would be very agreeable at the
Vatican. AS long as Germany remains united
there can be little hope for prosecuted Cathol-
icism in Poland, and little prospect of the
Church regaining the power it has lost and is
losing in Southern Germany and i'll Austria.
The appreciation of this fact undoubtedly
colors the loyalty of the Catholic subjects of
King William and gives TO Prince Bismarck a
considerable support in the path of progress
which he seems recently to have entered.


Il CURIOUS RAILROAD QUARREL.


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