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Signs in Europe

About This Item

  • Title: Signs in Europe
  • Date: 7 June 1858
  • Creator(s): Walt Whitman
  • Whitman Archive ID: per.00904
  • Source: Brooklyn Daily Times, 7 June 1858: 2. Our transcription is based on a digital image of a microfilm scan of the original issue. Microfilm of original issue held at Pennsylvania State University Libraries. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the journalism, see our statement of editorial policy.
  • Editorial note: This piece is unsigned, as was the case for most of Whitman's journalism. However, this editorial is part of a series of texts that deal with a coherent theme that has been identified by the Whitman Archive journalism team as likely authored by Whitman. This decision is based on a combination of historical and (auto)biographical accounts, similarity to contemporary Whitman writings, a history of scholarly attribution, extant clippings retained by Whitman, computational stylometric analysis, and, in some cases, manuscript evidence in Whitman’s hand.
  • Contributors to digital file: Kaylen Michaelis Jamie DeRousse Jason Stacy Karie Cobb
  • Cite this page: Whitman, Walt. "Signs in Europe." The Walt Whitman Archive. Gen. ed. Matt Cohen, Ed Folsom, & Kenneth M. Price. Accessed 16 July 2024. <http://www.whitmanarchive.org>.
  • Source File: per.00904.xml (TEI)
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SIGNS IN EUROPE.

We must not suppose because we hear little on the subject, that there are no great social, political, and probably theological, improvements going on in Europe and Asia—it may be as great ones as any in our own America. For instance, what can be more of a real revolution than the “emancipation movement” in Russia, shadowed in the following paragraph?

“A letter from St. Petersburg of the 5th inst, says: It cannot be denied that a certain agitation prevails here at present in all classes of society; in fact, the reforms which are being carried into execution, affect every one more or less. These reforms also naturally meet with resistance, but the Emperor does not allow himself to be turned from his object, and he moreover finds a powerful support in public opinion, and in a part of the persons by whom he is surrounded. The Grand Duke Constantine proves by the numerous ameliorations which he has introduced into the navy, that he is a friend to reform.”

These reforms—for one reform always necessitates another—will probably change the whole aspect of the Russian empire. Such things are interesting now; for it is beginning to be understood, both here and in Atlantic Europe, that Russia has, in herself, a fund of materials for becoming a leading power in all the world’s affairs.

Making a great stride from the North to the English channel, we note a significant fact of the progress of the Democratic principle in Great Britain. It is contained in a sentence or two from a late speech of Mr. Roebuck1 in the House of Commons:

“It is idle to talk of the Crown. The Crown means the House of Commons. (A laugh.) That appears to excite in the minds of some a feeling something like surprise; but I would ask any man who understands the practical workings of our system of government to answer me this question—is not all the power said to be centered in the Crown really, exercised by this House?

A few years ago, there would have been a poor sight for such a sentiment as the above, in the British Parliament. But the People have advanced, and are advancing!

Notes:

1. John Arthur Roebuck (1802–1879) was an independent member of the House of Commons. [back]

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