A Prominent Sign of the Times
A PROMINENT sign of the times is the present unrest of the nations. The spirit of jealousy and strife rules in the political world, and the time has come to which the prophetic statement applies, “The nations were angry.” How true this is at the present time let the following paragraph testify. A dispatch from London to the Washington Post of June 25 says:— It would be easy to fill several pages of the Post with views and rumors covering every possible range, from extreme alarm to the mildest conciliation, all dealing with one feature or another of the universal crisis through which Europe is passing. Let us record the developments of this eventful week in the fewest possible words. Spain has reorganized her domestic administration, and installed a complete new ministry. Sweden has consented to the peaceful secession of Norway, but Swedish public sentiment is showing such signs of resentment that the abdication of King Oscar is believed to be impending. Hungary openly threatens to follow Norway's example, and divorce herself from Austria. The emperor has been compelled to resort to the drastic expedient of attempting to govern his second kingdom without Parliament, which refuses to sanction his policy or appointments. Russia has become the scene of fresh bloodshed, rivaling in extent the massacres of last January. The czar’s promises of radical reforms, which were solemnly made to the people’s representatives on Monday, have already been repudiated. France and Germany are at loggerheads, with bayonets bristling in the background. England has made the French cause her own, and is prepared for all eventualities. What seven days in the world’s history can match such a record as this? These are truly record-making days in the world’s history.