The Evening Star MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3738, 15 February 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1875.

The summary of Her Majesty’s speech, received by telegraph, may be presumed to contain the gist of it, although a full report might give a different coloring to some passages in it. Distant as we are from Great Britain, our connection with our Mother Country is evidently becoming closer. This must bo gathered from the prominence given to Colonial topics. Whether Conservatives consider themselves the special guardians of Colonial interests or not, much attention appears to be directed towards the Colonies and dependencies, and in this wide and rapidly extending field a beneficial influence is exerted by the British Government. It (lifters widely in its nature from those family treaties, territorial arrangements, and religious feuds that have for so many centuries disGguved history .of Europe. While the nations of that continent are discussing tne terras on which their armies may mow each other down with cannon, grape, and rifle shots, Great Jritain has been endeavoring to spread the germs of civilisation and liberty in Africa, Asia, and the islands of the Pacific, ocean. The fruits of those efforts will be seen hereafter in the improved condition of all those nations. Where the sword has been drawn, it has been made the means to an end—tyranny has been checked, slavery abolished, and at any rate an ‘attempt has been made to establish good and equitable government, and where war was threatened peace has been secured, Suca a course is more for the interests of mankind tuan seeking to bo arbiter by force of the destinies of Europe, which is the ideal that some persons have of the mission of a leading nation, Europe is old enough but unfortunately not wise enough to take care of itself. Its traditions still lead it war-ward, so that although on the surface professions arc made of a desire for piece, beneath thorn lies a naked sv/ord, ready for use on the slightest provocation. England 1S in a rowdy neighborhood, and does well, however difficult it may be, to t:eop clear of neighbors’ quarrels. -A hairs in topaiu seem tending towards a solution of her difficulties, as Don Carlos appears to be losing ground and the yourv.g King to be accepted. It is a pity that bis Holiness, if he has any influence with Carlos, did not use. it earlier. Ho might then have obtained credit as a peacemaker j but now people will say lie waited to see which way the scales would turn, and threw his weight into the heaviest. It is to be hoped hisactvice will be taken. The in casinos affecting the sanitary and

social advancement of our Homo popu- J lation that will come under Pallia- ' mentary discussion equally need attention here as at Home.