The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-10-18
From the London Examiner.
Switzerland Menaced with the Fate Of
Hungary

During the last fortnight, the ulterior
views Of Russia and Austria, hidden as
long as the Hungarian struggle remained
doubtful, have become more fully known,
and we have reason TO believe that France
has received cause for distrus: and alarm.
fortunately the great bone of contention
between France and Austria. the position
of Piedmont. had been settled by the con-
clusion of the treaty before Gorgey's sub
mission. But the Roman affair remained
undermined, and in this it is now ac-
knowledged the French government will
be forced to assume an altogether new at
titude. Now, too, in addition to the Ro
man affair, there has arisen another, and
yet almost unnoticed by the press, but
very sure, at no great distance Of time, to
swell into paramount importance. This
is: "What is to be done with Switzer-
land?"
When the Russia troops lately ap-
Iproachcd the frontier, the Swiss raised an
army. 1t being agreed amongst the
! great courts, however, that they would
hereafter settle the Swiss question in
comm on, Russia withdrew for the time.
| But Hungary subdued, now comes the
affair of Switzerland. 1t is republic in
the midst of Europe, the refuge Of repub-
| licans, with free press, with most liberal
institutions, and with the democratic par
ty uppermost and governing It's respec-
tive cantons. Austria declares that the
peace Of Europe cannot be preserved as
long as Switzerland remains IN this state;
and whilst some recommend conquest
and military occupation, for the purpose
of restoring the old aristocratlc parties to
power, others recommend partltlon.-
Commercial views of course, blend with
political ones; for Switzerland not only
harbors ideas of political freedom, but
practices commercial freedom also. An
! Austrian Zolverein of high duties would
be impossible as long as Switzerland re-
mains at present, open to British COM
mOdItIeS.
Switzerland, therefore, is menaced with
the fate of Hungary, and though the Swiss
are brave, they cannot, any more than the
Hungarians, resist the united forces OF
Germany and Russia. But in this grave
meditation of absorbing free country, 1t
was hoped that France would prove a
willing accomplice. She had shown her
self obsequious in Rome, not exlgent III
Piedmont, and had betrayed no sympathy
for either Hungarian or German resistance.
But French statesmen, however conserva-
tive, pacific, or monarchic, cannot consent
to blot Switze erland from the map of Eu-
rope, even at the price of taking share.
1t would not only be disgraceful, but high
| ly impolitic to allow Austria, especially in
such hands as she is atpresent, TO advance
her military outposts beyond Aregens. 1t
would not do to play over again In Swltz-
erland, the game of Italy. 1t would not
do to allow the Austrians to occupy the
Grisons, whilst France was content with
the counterpoise in the seizure of Geneva.
But what to do? The Austrians with
the Russians at their back, menace Switz-
erland Even the smallest of their de-
mands will not be complied with by the
Swiss, who will raise troops and menace
war. Is France at once to forbid the in
vasion of Switzerland! and if so, Is France
to undertake as at Rome, the undemocrat-
ising of Switzerland? She has had enough
of this in Rome; but dare she say to Aus
tria and Russia, Switzerland must remain
as it is!
These are questions that seriously occu-
py the consideration of French statesmen.
And they are more serious, because Prus-
sia Joins Austria and Russia in the demand
to rescue Switzerland to at least homogen-
ity with the conservative government
around her. German Republic might
have been tolerated up to this time, but