control over his passions, he stood calmly before the nation, worthy of the admiration of his own and of succeeding generations.*

The Americans having gained their independence the desire of liberty was infused into the hearts of others. Revolutions followed in several of the nations of Europe.

First Poland endeavored to shake off the tyrannical grasp of Russia, but after a fierce struggle the leader of the revolt, the heroic Kosciusko, fell, Warsaw was taken, and the Poles were reduced to submission. The French revolution came next. Its fearful excesses caused Madame Roland, one of its noblest victims, to exclaim beneath the guillotine, apostrophising the statue of Liberty and bowing her

"Such a chief magistrate as Washington appears like the pole star in a clear sky to direct the skillful statesman. His presidency will form an epoch, and be distinguished as the age of Washington. Already it assumes its high place in the political region. Like the milky way it whitens along its allotted portion of the hemisphere. The latest generations of men will survey through the telescope of history the space where so many virtues blend their rays, and delight to separate them into groups and distinct virtues. As the best illustration of them, the living monument to which the first of patriots would have chosen to consign his fame, it is my earnest prayer to heaven that our country may subsist even to that late day, in the plenitude of its wisdom and happiness, and mingle its mild glory with Washington's."-Fisher Ames.

head before it: "Oh Liberty, what crimes are committed in thy name."

Here was shown in a very striking manner the absolute necessity of the guiding influence of religion in a state. The right that some men arrogate to themselves of writing and speaking whatever in their own evil hearts they may choose to write and speak, however vile, traitorous, or blasphemous it may be, however subversive of human or divine government, merits the strong arm of the law, and deserves as it will receive the wrath of the Almighty.

The spirit of liberty next revisited the classic land of Greece. The descendants of the ancient Greeks rose against the tyranny of the Turks, to which they had been subjected for four centuries. After a bloody revolution they succeeded in throwing off the yoke of subjection, and now enjoy the blessings of a limited monarchy resembling that of England. During the progress of their rebellion brave men joined them from Europe and America; the eloquent voices of Webster, Clay and Everett were raised in their behalf, and Lord Byron, whose loftiest strains were in honor of freedom, engaged in their cause. To him and to Moore, Shelley and Campbell the cause of liberty throughout Europe has been indebted, nor will their words ever cease to inspire the breasts of freemen.*

*This love of freedom is the redeeming feature in Byron.

In Ireland there have been two attempts at rebellion, both of them unsuccessful. In the former, Robert Emmet fell a victim. His memory has ever since been cherished with great affection by his countrymen. His distinguished brother, an exile for freedom, was an ornament to the city and land of his adoption.*

At a later period the cause of the Independence of Ireland was espoused by some young and gallant spirits. On the failure of this attempt some of the leaders took refuge in the United States, among whom was the gallant and eloquent Meagher, who, with thousands of his countrymen, "marched to the music of the Union," as they heard it played by unseen fingers upon the Harp of Erin.

Hungary, long oppressed by Austria, asserted her independence, but finally the brave Hungarians were compelled to yield to the superior might of their adversary, and Kossuth, their great leader, to fly to other lands.+

In the year 1848 a remarkable movement occurred in Europe in favor of a larger liberty. Beginning in

and Shelley, regarded as powers in the world. There is no more powerful auxiliary to liberty than a pure literature.

*Thomas Addis Emmet.

t "Pardon me, I thought I saw the thousands of my countrymen pass again in review before me, and heard them shout again Liberty or death!"-Kossuth in England.

France, it spread rapidly throughout the central and lower portions of Europe, the several states of Germany and Italy being especially affected by it, in many of which large concessions were made to the people, which were soon taken back by most of the governments which gave them. The King of Sardinia, however, Victor Emanuel, never attempted to recall his grants, but rather confirmed and enlarged them.

The foundations of the limited and beneficent monarchy in whose opening career we feel so deep an interest, were laid by the Emperor Napoleon III. eleven years afterward. In the later history of Italy three names stand forth in marked prominence, that of the enthusiastic and heroic liberator Garibaldi, whose sword helped to sever the bands which bound his country, that of the fearless and eloquent Mazzini, whose burning words infused into the breasts of the Italians a love of freedom and hatred of despotism, and that of the sagacious and able Count Cavour, whose liberal and comprehensive mind was greatly influential in framing the new constitution of the Kingdom of Italy.

In France the revolution by a sudden outbreak overthrew the throne of Louis Phillipe, who fled in disguise from his kingdom. A republic then arose, but owing to the want of a true appreciation among

the people of the blessings of freedom, it existed but for a short period.

A few of the ablest writers of the age with reference to civil liberty, have been Frenchmen. Worthy of especial honor are De Gasparin and Laboulaye, whose words of cheer and encouragement during our late fearful struggle for the preservation of our institutions, and the welfare of mankind, wafted by favoring breezes across the Atlantic, have brought comfort to the hearts of thousands.*

In Germany the love of freedom has been strong, though there are still many hindrances to its progress. This is doubtless the reason why so many of that nation have emigrated to this country.

To no class of foreigners are we so much indebted for aid in our terrible struggle as to the Germans. The names of Rosecranz, Heintzelman, Sigel, Weitzel and others will be held in grateful remembrance by their and our descendants.

The distinguished scholar and clergyman Rev. Philip Schaff, in a recent visit to Germany, was much impressed by the demonstrations of affection

*

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The whole world, I have just said, is engaged in the contest. The uprising of this people upraises us also this spectacle of sufferings nobly accepted does us good. We feel that one of those storms which purify the atmosphere is passing at this moment over our globe."-De Gasparin in "America before Europe."