The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-04-03
Probability or War In Europe.


are yet slgnallzed by an absorbing interest, and
fraught with momentous consequences, calculated
o attract the attention and arouse the suspicious
of every thinking politician. BY close perusal
and strict investigation, it will be found that they
present new development in the state of affairs
on the European continent-that they disclose a
different line of policy than that hitherto univer-
sally pursued by the potentates OF that country.
1t appears that the sovsreigns and despotlc mo-
nsrchs are rapidly increasing their armies, borrow
ing money, and concentrating their forces in every
direction. Among the foremost In the pursuance
Of this new movement, may be reckoned the Gar
of Russia, the Emperor of Austria, and the King
of Prussia. These hostile proceedings and war
like preparations must evidently have some end,
some plan, some object in view. II is surmised by
some who claim knowledge of the tendency of
affairs, that these potentates are assiduously en-
deavorng to carry out the idea agitated thirty
years ago stating what should be done With
France after the exile of Napoeon-the idea Of
efiecting division OF France, which has always
been the nest of everlasting disturbances, party
contests, wars, and revolutions, and which thereby
brought the peace, the order, and security Of the
adjoining nations in jeopardy. This movement
has now been revived by the despots of Europe;
and in the accomplishment of this object, It is sup
posed that they preparing to pick quarrelwith
France, on the Rhine, or In Switzerland, and will
60 on gradually, step by step, until they overcome
and subdue that nation.
The position of affairs IN Italy, also, seems to
Justify such suspicious. The Pope hesitates to re-
turn TO the Eternal City 1t has been frequently re-
ported that he is preparing TO 60 to Rome; but
impediments seem continually to intervene and
Illustrate his return. II is now firmly believed
that he Is, 10 fact, a species of prisoner, held by
the King of Naples, who, being charged by the
other monarchs, will not permit him to be under
the power of the French arms, until the French
question be settled.
1t is furthermore supposed, that il socialism
gain the ascendancy In France, 1t will extend to
Germany, Italy, and, IN fact, all over the CONT
nent and create such disturbances. tumults, and
revolutions as have been lately enacted in France,
and will terminate in the total subverson of all
absolute or despotic power. That this grand
movement has not already taken place, may be
mainly ascnbed to the pauciiy Of the socialist
numbers, and to the policy and circumspection Of
the President, Louis Napolson, who, in interest,
is firmly allied to the crowned heads But in the
course Of two or three years more, their ranks will
Of other faction nd their political importance
attained such d aeight, that they will defy the
whole combiEsd forces Of all the sovereigns in
Europe. Being aware Of this tendency OF affairs,
and trembling for the further security Of their
thrones, the allied despo,s are endeavoring to
counterfeit this movement fatal to their dearest
interests, by aiming at separation and division Of
France, before the socialists or democracy shall
l., cb,a. Vrhc nj sfye
The FIRST movement of the great powers, there
fore, will be directed towards the Rhine, or to
Switzerland, or to Italy, with the view of picking
a quarrel with France. The allied powers may
renew hos,ties with Switzerland upon questions
OF former dispute, invade that country with a nu-
merous army, and thereby excite the sympathy Of
France, who will, undoubtedly, in such emer
gency. assist the Swiss, and, by so dong, will in
volve herself in war, in which she will have to
encounter the combined power Of united dee
potism.
These sumises acquire some probability from
the nature OF the accounts that have been brought
tous by the last European mails.
BosTos OPINIONS or BoSTos JrRYs VERDICT -
The newspapers Of Boston sustain the verdict OF
the jury on the Webster trial, as just and true
one. This Is not surprising They had tried and
convicted the prisoner before the subject under
went II gal examination. The secret inquest
which, in itself. should have vitiated the whole Of
the subsequent proceedings-fumished the evil
dence Of guilt; and upon that evidence there was
much more reason Tor making Up fatal verdict,
than upon that motley array OF opinions upon hand
writing and teeth, which went far to bias the mind
Of the Jury. We do not assert that the prisoner
was not guilty bot scs do assert that he ras ~ot
yrored TO ts gully, BY any legal ec,denes Of reiia
be character omd ,rc dsfy all the ia~yers TO the
hary However strongly circumstances may per-
susde us Of the guilt Of the accused. nothing has
appeared to assure us, beyond all doubt, that Df.
Parkman's body cannot be found elsewhere. Our
duty In such matter is no, TO be guided by sp9re-
henave impressions, but by evidence at once clear
and unconirsdiciory. From the FIRST, We have
feared that the public opinion Of Boston had set
tied into firm belief In the prisoners guilt, from
the mere presumption Of evidence and the sequel
has confirmed our most serious misQivings. The
public share in the surprise that has been created
by the verdict drawn out, II we are to credit the
proceedings IN the jury room. by three questions,
in no one Of which was any suggestion made that
the government had failed In making ont its case.
II may not be out Of Place here, TO refer more
fully to the corobsr's court in this case. II was
secre, tribunal, in the Coohdge Affair." in Msine.
The pablo were not admitted. or the reporters Of
the public rrees. Now, though the statutes OF
Maine and Of Massachusetts, provide for corouer.
they have not assigned to hun any duties tits an
Office established upon traditions, and but little un
derstocd. One thing Is certain, however, that
though the powers OF the coroner are arbitrary 4
some measure. ssd superior, under some cream
nsnce-. to all Judicial powers yet ithas neverb been
established that he cen hold secret investigations
The Essl,sh law, from which we derive our action,
doee not prmi, il and Il would be impossible to
say by what authority our coroners are guided
The fourth statute Of Edward Firs, defines a eorc-
ner's duues- end among these he is empowered to
81, only SUPER risvm ecrvis, and cat the very
place" where the body is found. IL rs certain that