IS IT THE BEGINNING OF THE END?
By Editor
We have several times drawn the attention of our readers to the probability of a universal revolution similar to that which caused the downfall of Louis XVI. in France, if not worse, and wider in extent than the troubles of 1848. As we recognize the illness of an individual from the throbbing of his pulse, the color of his complexion, the appearance of his eyes and his tongue, thus have we certain signs by which we may form the diagnosis, as well as the prognosis, of the ills of society. No one in the least acquainted with the actual condition of affairs to-day will deny that society is suffering from a malady of the gravest character. In the first place, its pulsations are rapid, indicating a feverish and excited condition of its organism. It suffers from severe headaches, the fear of impending evils on the part of its rulers; it has heart disease, namely, a morbid sensuality, to some extent not unlike that of Pagan Rome in the days of its decline. Its brain is affected by widespread infidelity, while the inflamed condition of its eyes, rolling anxiously hither and thither, as if in quest of the solution of some difficult problems, indicates that it is not far from delirium. There is no doubt that this is a dangerous case, and that the patient is very, very ill. The agitation is becoming worse day by day, and the fever is increasing. Alarming information comes to us from France, from Germany, from Spain. The worst news of all, however, reaches us from Italy. It is evident from the precautions of the Italian Government that the Sicilian agitation is viewed678with considerable alarm. The fact of its lasting as long as it does proves that it is not as insignificant as might otherwise be supposed. The rest of Italy is comparatively quiet, but it would not take much to fan the embers into a flame, and then where would it end? Look at 1848. Trouble began in Sicily, also. Italy and Hungary followed. Then came the revolution in France and the downfall of Louis Philippe. Socialism was the soul of those days of blood under the leadership of Ledrue-Rollin and others. The signal for a general movement was given, the alarm was taken. The French Republic was proclaimed on February 24. On the 28th the revolution broke out in Wurtemberg and Darmstadt, on the 29th in Mayence and Baden, on March 1st in Hesse-Cassel. Then followed revolutions in Cologne, West Baden, Saxony, Brunswick, Bavaria, Austria, and Prussia. The greater portion of Europe was in a blaze. The Socialists were at the bottom of the movement. Had the people possessed a leader, the outcome might have been altogether different. "What is wanting," said Lamartine, "is a European Washington," but that Washington was not to be found, and, in 1849, the reaction set in. We know that history frequently repeats itself. What was, may be again. The revolution need only gain sufficient strength to stand, then let a concerted movement follow in various parts of Italy, so that the attention of the army be divided, and you have the first conflagration. Where is the remedy to be found? This is an important question, which, for the present, we leave to the meditation of our readers. On another occasion we may discuss further the condition of our patient, and endeavor to find a remedy which, if applied, will heal him.—Catholic Mirror, Jan. 27, 1894.