The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-09
THE CONDITION OF EUROPE;

THE CONDITION OF EUROPE,
| The Attitude OF Prussia aud Ausira-The People OF
IIe,>e easel 10 Prove Victorious in their Dis
puie with the EIector, only because the Crowned
Head. OF the Continent Dare not Risk the Possible
Contingent Effect Of n German War on their Own
! Fortunes Frederic william Understands that
Obedience to the Dcialion OF Nicholas is the Price
OF the Retsatlee VI lbsSPrussian Throne in his
own Family.
New YORK, December ~, 1850.
To The Editor of the National Era:
ssQ -as@qiSs 5y thettAs-7t r9n~1. FEY II 9i'r"sl
facilities for the solution of the problem of A" War
in Europe" over which the political quiduuncs Of
the Continent and England are now indus
triously pulling their brains; as almost con-
stanty since Napoleon first disturbed the bal
ance Of the influences under which, up to his time,
the privileged by-the-grace-ofGod kept down the
millions so securely, that an attempt on the part
of the latter to right themselves was an unhsard-
of outrage. But, according to most Of the Liberal
journalists of the old world, the Hesse Cassel and
Holstein questions are not solved as they were
supposed to have been on the date of my last,
written a month ago. cannot draw from the de-
tails of these advices the conclusion to which they
come For, to me, Frederic Williams bombastic
and hypocritcal speech, at the opening of the
French Chamber, reads like plain admission
that he will submit to any disgrace sooner than
risk the possible contingencies Of war with Aus
tra and Russia lie hesitates to withdraw his
army from Ilesse and its vicinity in obedience to
the dictation Of the council at Dlmutg; but in
counting to his own Chambers for this refusal, he
places it wholly on his desire and determination
to keep open the military communications aeees-
sary 10 tie integrity of his authority III has omA DO
ninioas Not word does he breathe Of the glo-
rious cause Of the patriotic and victorious Hes
slams, in which the liberal throughout Europe,
take so Deep and, apparently, abiding concern.
| III must keep his army-with bayonets pointed at
the Federal Austrian and Bavarian) troops sta
toned on the other border Of the Inflated little
principality, only to preserve his own convent
ence-not for the protection of the righteous
cause, which those enemies Of mankind would
assail.
Austria answers promptly, that she is ready to
give any required guarantee that no movement of
the confederated armies shall endanger that which
L
now, it is next to impossible for Austria to Sc
riousy interfere with Frederic William at home,
he will doubtless, accept the protIered guarantee
by some subterfuge or other, or he will sadly belle
his previous history. He is, undoubtedly, the
most vanglorious boaster now on an European
throne. But more of his pecularities anon.
The Eector of IIesse, under Russian advice
fancy, has made an offer which affords both
Prussia and Austria the opportunity to get out of
this threatened war, which, as it could not he
entered upon without real danger that their re-
spectve subjects would seize upon the opportunity
as fitting one to achieve Their independence must,
be embraced | should have written you before,
that since my last Prussia, in defiance Of the in.
timation of Russia after the first consultation at
Olmutz, that she must leave the settlement Of the
IIesse controversy to Austria and Bavaria, had
doggedy kept her troops where they were. The
latter, consequently, moved theirs up almost
within cannon shot of PrusSia's bayonets, where
they have rested for quite month, until their
stock of provisions is well-nigh entirely con-
sumed In the meanwhile, Prussia has called out
her landwehr, her ever disposabe ctizen-soldiers,
500 0OO) who stand at the back Of her regular
troops of the line, ready for instantly beginning
the war.
Austria, on the other hand, notwithstanding
the fact that her paper Government money will
not pass for more than fifty cents on the dollar,
has been strainng every nerve to Increase her
forces, particularly cavalry, employed in that
quarter; and, according to the last intelligence,
their condition, for want Of food is such, that
they must advance on the Prussians very speedily
or retire
Just in this emergency, the Elector of Ilesse,
prudent soul, steps in to simplify their dispute
by offering to deal with his subjects himself, and
thus permit both armies to evacuate his territory
without a compromise on either side. Now,
though it is not known what reply was made to
this offer, ten to one it will be found that both
jumped at it as q God-send. They both stand in
too sautary fear of what they term "subversive
theories "-the influence of democratic princi-
pcs-to hesitate long in making use of the Elect
or's offer as a convenient hole through which they
may creep back each on his own ground. The
last rumors from llesse say that the Rlcctor will
iN'uih III "ay VI WV, "ooohPhh'S" W WV iiOe-
sian regiments only. They say also that he prom
ises to secure to his people the status quo before
the commencement of their quarrel with IIassen.
plug. The Hessian Landtag is to be reassem-
bled at once, and the Constitution is to be main
tanned intact. These events necessarily involve
the dismissal of the obnoxious Minister, and in
deed the triumph Of the people in their dispute
with the Elector Since Frederic William so
indiscreetly called out the lsnjwehr of his King.
dom, do not see how the affair can terminate
otherwise without disgrace upon him. so stigma
thing his name as to make even so tickle and cal
lous braggadooia as himself ashamed to look any
man in the face But he would not mind the dis.
grace, were there not real danger to royalty in the
occurrence Of war, great or small just now on the
Continent. That it is which induces Russia
twho manages the Elec,or) to signify, as Nicholas
undoubtedly has done, that he must restore intact
to his people the liberties he 80 rashly ventured
to take from them
The truth is, the real causes of the present hos
tile array between Prussia and Austria lie far
deeper than the affairs which seem to have pro-
duoed H. The latter are unsubstantial while thu