The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2579, 24 May 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1871.

The fuller details of European news by the Sues Mail are only reiterations of the summary received by electric telegraph. Much of the news therefore is old, and what is new only reveals the depth of anarchy into which France has fallen, la every department disor-

ganisation is apparent, and it is nowevident that the quiet of the last nineteen years has been the result of constant vigilance and an overwhelming military force. We are glad to learn that the Germans will not attempt to dictate the form of Government that is to take the place of Imperialism. We cannot suppose that republicanism, which will sooner or latter bo the final form of Government of France, can be acceptable to the Emperors and Kings of Europe, although Switzerland has proved a good neighbor on the whole. There may be attempts at reestablishing monarchy, but the experiments in that direction have been so unlucky since 1815, that any of those who aspire to the throne can only calculate upon a short tenure of power even if they succeed. It seems very plain, from recent experience, that those countries which approximate most nearly to Government by the people are the most peaceable, and consequently the most prosperous. Although Her Majesty is Queen of the British Empire, she occupies a position more like a permanent president of a vast federation than a monarch. Great Britain, apart from its territorial aristocracy, is one of the most repul dican nations upon earth; and the Colonies and dependencies are populous republics, self-governed, and only bound to the central power by community of law, commerce, language, literature, and kindred. Yet these apparently slight ties are in reality more enduring bonds than any that could have been devised. They permit expansion of thought and action in every direction. They allow freedom in word and deed —freedom of discussion—freedom in enterprise. We hear much about the evil effect of atheistical doctrines and infidel publications, and even now some of our Divines are pointing to France as an instance of their terrible influences. But at no time in France has there ever been that uncontrolled freedom to print and publish that has been the practice of the British Empire. In fact, the danger of repression at Home, has always proved greater than free publication. The simple reason is that a free people, not only nationally, but individually, govern themselves. As they themselves make their laws, they are prepared to submit to them, and as every law is subjected to a greater or less degree of examination before being adopted, even dissentients feel that the duty of submission is higher than that of opposition. In fact as no proposition can become law in direct opposition to the majority of the community, the folly of resistance is made manifest. It is a peaceful solution of the law of the stronger. On the continent of Europe they do not understand this way of settling a question. They seem to be imbued with the spirit of the error into which our former New Zealand Governments fell in regard to the Maoris—if they do not think with us, they must be compelled by force to act with us. So with the parties in France. Unaccustomed to any other repressive power than brute force, they acknowledge no authority, but the sword. For thirty years France has been a huge camp, and because of the vast military force supposed to be ready at any moment to take the field, every country of Europe has been equally armed in proportion. On these vast forces Continental Europe has more or less relied for the conduct of government. By their means territories have been transferred from government to government, sometimes with, sometimes without, any expression of popular consent; liberty has been curtailed, and religious systems maintained. The nineteenth century has witnessed alike the rise and failure of the armed-peace system. It lias been a vast drain upon national resources, and a curse to the countries adopting it. Unfortunately France, in which it was carried to its greatest extent, will not be able for years to dispense with a" large standing army ; for the people have to learn to govern themselves, and to acknowledge the right of individuals to free thought, free utterance, and free action, civilly and religiously. When they learn this they will prosper, for it will teach them their duty to other countries as well as to themselves.

A Public Meeting of the Dunedin Abstainer’s Union is to be held this evening in the hall of the Congregational Chapel, Moray-place, at 8 o’clock, avhen several gentlemen are expected to address the meetiug.