The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-09-20
A European War.

crossed the Alps, and entered Italy. This may be
true. or it NAV not; but certainly all the present
probabilities are against it. The last accounts stated
hat France and England had determined upon
Offering their mediation to arrange the quarrel
between Austria and her Italian provinces, and it
was generally understood that the offer had been
accepted. But the acceptance by Austria at the
yery moment when war is virtually terminated by
the complete subjugation of Lombardy, proves tna'
she expected all the benefit of the mediation 10 ac-
crue to herself In TRUTH it cannot be supposed lh'
while flushed with victory, she would acceP' any
terms but those most favorable TO herself ana hul
iating to her adversary. In this STATE Oh aIalrs'
were Lamartine still at the head OF the french
Government, nothing would be more certain than
The immediate entrance OF french army INTO
Northern Italy, as he had distinctly ayoWed, that
should the Italians seek the aid of France, 1t would
become her duty not to refuse it. But the rise Of
the Conservative party upon the ruins of the Re-
public of February, has necessarily brought the
substitution of its own selfish and retrograde policy
for the more noble and philanthropic views of the
Republicans. Cavagnac, although himself a mill
tary man and distinguished General, is nothing
more than a mere creature of Theirs and Barrot
and as such has more than once declared his oppo-
sition TO interference with the affairs of any other
nation. Notwithstanding this position, however,
the French Government has, in conjunction with
hat of England, offered its services as mediator
What success attended the negotiation we have not
vet learned and it is for this reason we think the
report of armed intervention by France, to say the
least of it, extremely improbable. Should it, how
ever, prove to be founded i'll truth, we may look
upon the movement as the commencement OF
desoIating and sanguinary European war; war
of liberty against despOtism-of democracy against
The combined forces of royalty and aristocracy In
this struggle, we think it probable that Englan
will take part with Austria, not only because
France is her hereditary foe but because Repub-
lcanism is her natural enemy. Russia, which now
exerts vast influence upon the politics of Europe,
would bring to whichever side she should espouse,
an accession of strength which would almost decide
the victory in its favor at 1t cannot be doubt
full which party she will assist, and strange as 1t
NAV appear, we believe that in the coming contest,
her forces will be found fighting on the side OF lib
erty MANY reasons combine to make Russia adopt
this course but it would be great mistake to sup
pose that among them would be found any devo-
ton to the principles of freedom or any friendship
toward France Extension of territory is the great
aim of Russian ambition, and the only two powers
which can contract her limits, rather, prevent
their expansion, are England and Germany-the
former on the east and south, and the latter on the
east Whenever, therefore, in general war, those
two powers shall be found upon one side, we may
be sure that Russia will take the other. The only
remaining power of importance is Spain: she vii
side with France in fact, she has already quar-
| relied with England, and has Withdrawn her min
| lister from London. On one side, there will be
France, Russia Spain and Italy, and on the other,
England, Austria, Prussia, and the lesser German
powers
| Amid the universal commotion of the civilized
| world, however much our country may desire II
maintain position Of independence and neutrality
| it can scarcely be expected that we will succeed
any better this time, than when the same cOmbina
| ton of circumstances forced very unwillingly
| into war with England. Having now become 81
much more powerful, and occupying so command
| ing station among nations, our influence woulC
doubtless be courted by all, while we might decide
| the victory in favor of which ever side we nigh
| aid But there are circumstances which nigh
| again force us into this general combat, and ont
cause which would almost inevitably produce wa
with England, is the island of Cuba. Spain anC
DSilAS III SteheO "a 'sS'NeNA AO1'-AA
almost the first act of the latter power would be tt
take possession of Cuba, prize which she has Ions
coveted and only needed decent pretext to secure
It is possible that the United States may object tt
this forcible appropriation of the island, AND
it may be that our own interests and safety would
require armed resistance to any such attempt
When Spain ceases to possess Cuba, even should
not become portion of our Republic, it would no
be expedient for to permit it to fall into the hand
Of powerful commercial nation like Great Britain
This cause, as we have said, may draw the Unite'
States into the European quarrel, and us usual W
will be found entering the lists against our ancien
enemy and by the side of our old ally.