Page:The Royal Family of France (Henry).djvu/94

 the ears of languid nations: Germany, with its vast unity, will be one: Russia, with its gigantic extent, another; England, with its multitudinous isles and kingdoms, a third; and when this laboured transformation shall be effected, God only knows what effect it may have on the peace and prosperity of nations! Conjecture here reaches to perspectives some of which may make us tremble; this state of Europe, the outcome of Democratic instincts, whilst bringing into immediate contact such colossal empires, provides no arbitration that may seem to restrain them. It is easy to see that such an approximation must give rise to inevitable collisions, and then how deadly will be the struggles, how fearful the shock, how calamitous the catastrophe! It will be beyond anything that has occurred since the disruption of the Eastern Empires, since the fall of the Roman Empire beneath the invasion of the barbarian hordes" (Laurentie). When we think of the progressing division of the world into four parts; one extending from Archangel to Varna, with or without Constantinople; the second from Kiel to Trieste, with or without Holland; the third from Silesia to the Illyrian Frontier, with or without Greece; the fourth from the Straits of Behring to Panama, inclusive or not of Peru and Brazil, doubtless we are filled with alarm. This idea, conceived by a Statesman intoxicated with conquest and usurpation, agrees with the schemes of a Mazzini, with the Republicanism of a Monroe. Did not the Socialists band together to extol Sadowa? Whilst but the other day President Grant congratulated the Emperor of Germany in significant words. Mazzini did and Grant does know well that individual Monarchies well one day clash together, and then from their fragments will be built up one gigantic State, the Universal Republic of Socialism. Ministers' and Crown Servants' sordid desire of gain, the burden of taxation and the high price of food are the source of much internal distress, disquiet, and suffering in all countries at this moment. Revolutions must take place sooner or later, as citizens will not bear much longer the awful taxations they have to pay off at the sweat of their brow. Let this be a warning to any venturesome Minister or Military Dictator whose life is dearer to him than the ephemeral wear of the regal garb. The hearts contented and homes happy of his subjects should be the first care of a Sovereign