Such was the condition of Europe in the first half of February, 1848.  Never yet seemed the power of despots more steady, more sure.  Yet, one month later, every throne on the continent trembled except the Czar’s.  The existence of dynasties depended upon the magnanimity of their people, and Europe was all on fire.

And in what condition is Europe now?  Every man on earth is aware that things cannot endure as they are. Formerly millions believed that a peaceful development of constitutional monarchy was the only future reserved for Europe.  Now nobody on the European continent any longer believes that constitutional monarchy can have a future there. Absolutist reaction goes with all that arrogance which revolts every sentiment, and infuriates the very child in its mother’s arms.  The promise, the word, the oath of a king are become equivalent to a lie and to perjury.  Faith in the morality of kings is plucked out, even to the last root, from the people’s heart.

The experiment of constitutional concessions was thought dangerous to the dynasties, as soon as they became aware that the people of Europe is no imbecile child, that can be lulled to sleep by mockery; but that it will have reality.  Thus the kings on the greater part of the continent, throwing away the mask of liberal affectations, deceived every expectation, broke every oath, and embarked with a full gale upon the open sea of unrestricted despotism.  They know that Love they can no longer get; so we have been told openly, that they will not have LOVE, but MONEY, to maintain large armies, and keep the world in servitude.  On the other hand, the nations, assailed in their moral dignity and material welfare, degraded into a flock of sheep kept only to be shorn—­equally with the kings detest the mockery of constitutional royalty which has proved so ruinous to them.

Royalty has lost its sacredness in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Hungary.  Both parties equally recognize that the time has come when the struggle of principles must be decided.  Absolutism or republicanism—­the Czar or the principles of America—­there is no more compromise, no more truce possible.  The two antagonist principles must meet upon the narrow bridge of a knife-edge, cast across the deep gulf which is ready to swallow him who falls.  It is a struggle for life and death.

That is the condition of the European continent in general.  A great, terrible, bloody uprising is unavoidable.  That is known and felt by every one.  And every sound man knows equally well that the temporary success of Louis Napoleon’s usurpation has only made the terrible crisis more unavoidable.  Ye men of “peace at any price,” do not shut your eyes wilfully to the finger of God pointing to the mene, tekel, upharsin written with gigantic letters upon the sky of Europe.  Despots never yield to justice; mankind, inspired with the love of freedom, will not yield up its manhood tamely.  Peace is impossible.