The Evening Star. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1874

Evening Star, Issue 3613, 21 September 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1874

The political aspect of the Continent of Europe is not very pleasant; there are -wars and rumors of wars, disturbances and the fear of disturbances. No calamities seem to teach the French wisdom, They have tried Republicanism, Monarchy, Consular Government, and De'spotism, Each of these forms, wisely administered and supported by popular sympathy, would have secured order, and led to prosperity. But not one has been allowed te be worked out. There is a constant aiming at something different; a hankering after a form of government that will secure national glory. This traditional aspiraration after “ glory” is the curse of France, because the glitter is false. The national mistake has been to extend conquest, to gratify national revenge, and to dictate the course of conduct that every European Power shall take. This perversion cf thought

regarding the functions of government and the duties of one nation to another, has led to all the reverses with which France has been visited during the last eighty years. Some other nations, whose social conditions have been evolved from like early feudal institutions, have partially outgrown those notions, but are obliged to maintain a warlike attitude because of the belligerent propensities of their neighbors. It is rather too bad to be compelled to withdraw an army from productive pursuits, and to incur the expense of maintaining it in efficiency, because thecountry over the mountains or across the channel or the river is unwise enough to be always threatening. Yet this has been the case in Europe for centuries. The result is what has been predicted—poor countries cannot bear the expense. Italy, united under one monarch twenty-three years ago, is beginning to feel the pressure. Having won independence of Austria, and having been emancipated from French interference, it has still been requisite to keep up a large defensive force. Nor, unfortunately, has this force been rendered necessary by foreign foes alone. The most dangerous enemies are those of one a own household, and they are neither few nor scrupulous in Italy. In regard to Spain, no remark is necessary. It is impossible to conceive a country in a worse position. Without leading men who can command national confidence sufficient to secure pacification ; with a scion of an expelled family seeking the throne, no matter at what expense of bloodshed ; with a rebellion to deal with, not only at home, but in its most important foreign possession— Cuba; threatened by France for infractions of national law, that its Government has been powerless to prevent—it is impossible to conceive a more pitiable condition. These calamities are, moreover, aggravated by the introduction of the religious element: a power that has frequently raised quarrels between countries; that has, in rare instances, pacified belligerents; but that invariably intensifies the hatred and cruelty connected with the monster curse of civilised communities—war. This mistaken view of religious duty is by many affirmed to be at the root of all these evils. Not long since in a Colonial contemporary it was audaciously asserted that the Church has a fright to supreme civil power, because it is assumed to be au institution ordained by heaven. The folly and impiety of such a claim are rebuked by the consequences of its teaching in all those countries where the education of the people have been conducted or supervised by it. By its fruit a tree is known, and, as “ Order is Heaven’s first law,” and disorder the fruit in those countries, it ill becomes even the most ignorant member of that Church to claim to be instructed by teachers appointed by Heaven. That there are many learned and worthy men amongst its members we are glad to acknowledge. That there is a desire to do good by its clergy may be generally conceded. It is not, perhaps, their fault, but their misfortune, that they hoM to doctrines that no nation desiring to be fi ee can tolerate; for of all tyrannies religious tyranny is the most intolerable. In the name of the Church Don < arlos claims the throne of Spain. The Church claims to be recognised as having civil authority in France and Germany. It is sowing discord in other European lands—iu Belgium, Great Britain, and in the British Colonies. What the resultant of those opposing forces will he, not even the most acute can say. The cost of war.and the consequences of failure are too serious to justify rashly rushing into it, and that consideration may lead to a peaceful solution of these complications, excepting so far as Spain is concerned. Were it not that the Conservatives are in power at Home, we should have little doubt that whatever takes place in Europe, Great Britain would not allow herself to be dragged into interference ; but the traditional policy of the party is that of busy meddling with foreign afiars. From this mistake, however, the country may be saved by the influence of the Queen and of the Liberal party, which must, at no distant date, be once more called to prosecute those reforms that yet remain to be accomplished. Already there are symptoms showing the constituencies are becoming conscious of the error committed at the last elections. If, therefore, Sir James Fergusson intends securing a seat in the House of Commons in the Tory interest, he must lose no time. A year or two hence and he would be too late.