The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 3, March, 1864: Devoted to Literature and National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 3, March, 1864: Devoted to Literature and National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
It is very clear that the 'balance of power' system of Europe, and the
continental system which this war is waged on our part to sustain, are
very unlike, if not antagonistic systems. The tone, all through the war,
of a large portion of the British daily press, and of much of her
weightier literature; the intrigues of Napoleon and the outspeaking of
his minions, together with the measures which have been clandestinely
taken by persons of power and influence to advance the interests of
secession, show that there are influential classes in Western Europe,
allied by interest to her fragmentary political organizations, who would
gladly see the United States broken to pieces under the shock of
rebellion. Their sympathies have been with the rebellion all through the
war; and that they have not interfered more actively than they have, is
not to be attributed to their sincere love for justice and neutrality,
but to their own weakness--to the complicated nature of their own
diplomacy, and its critical status just now, when there is danger of
bursting volcanoes in their own midst.
It is a law of history that any political system of some degree of
prevalence seeks to extend itself; indeed, this is a law of all
movement, whether physical, chemical, social, or political. There is a
political leaven which permeates the whole mass, and brings it into the
same condition. It resulted once in the general prevalence of feudalism;
it afterward touched the cities of civilizing Europe, and they became
independent, and leagued together for a common purpose. It operated
again, and governments of organized and more orderly character came
into existence all over what was once feudal Europe. The prevailing
system, or that which is animated by the strongest and most active
principle, necessitates whatever is unlike it to become of the same
character with itself, even though it might seem like the surrender of
the better for the worse. This is very aptly shown by the fact that
under feudalism allodial titles were voluntarily surrendered for feudal
ones. This system subordinated even the church.
The question is legitimate: Have we nothing to fear from the leaven of
political fragmentarism in Europe? Is there not vitality enough in the
little-monarchy and balance-of-power system of Middle and Western Europe
to extend its influence into this country, contributing effectually to
the overthrow of American unity; and, by the operation of this political
'induction,' making the political system of America like the political
system of Europe? Or, has the time come for the more permanent
inauguration of the policy of continental unity--a system of very
different genius from that which prevails in the former centres of
civilization? We believe that there are the most rational grounds for
encouragement.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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