The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-06-18
The swiss Republic.


We gave yesterday, from foreign source in which
full reliance may be placed. condensed chronological
statement Of The series OF aggressons recently perpeta-
ted by the Austrian government upon the Swiss confed-
Grafton. In another column will be found the circular
address by The federal authority to the several can.
tons Of the confederation. Though measured and tenn
peratc in its terms, il plainly indicates conviction that
active hosies are Threatened by Austria, and may be
near at hand In that event, it is understood that,
some of The minor States OF Gemany--W uremburg
and Baden, for ins,ancemay act in aid OF the Austrian
arms Against such odds Switzerland can oppose only
her mountain Businesses her traditional love OF liberty
and the heroic spirit Of her people, reused by reckless in
Jury and outrage, and stimulated by the martial memo
res OF the past There is, indeed rumor-and if Louis
Napoleon comprehends the true interest and policy Of
france il would not appear mprobablehat the French
government may inlerposs to prevent the Austrian as
sault.
We trust il may be SO for assuredly hardly any event
could occur on the continent of Europe which would
more deeply enlist the sympahies of the American peo-
pie than an attempt by Austria to suhjngate the Swiss
republic The Swiss cantons the only republic in
Europe. They form one OF the freesl and of the
governed counties in the world Their condition
in all The elements OF good government is broadly and
garingly contrasted with The state of that portion OF Italy
over which Austria bears sway. Their policy towards
all their neghbor States has long been from natural and
obvious causes the policy of peace No ac of aggression
SO far as know, charged against them Their only Of
fierce seems be that they republic. and that they
have moi refused ylnm the victims Of ranny and OPP
preston flying from Hungary from Italy. The attempt 10
impcate any OF the canonal governments OF paricpa-
ton in the schemes OF the Italian revoutonsls has sig
nay failed 1t has not been shown that the Swiss re-
pubIicans propagandsts OF repubcanism, even to
the extent in which all the despoic governments
deem il lawful 10 propagate their systems An Aus
TRAN of conquest upon such a nation would
doub,edy present OF the most repulsve and odious
spec,aeles OF recent European history.
Nor would such struggle be without direc, mate.
nal n'ercs, to the people Of the United States. Con.
sdsng her population, Switzerland is of our best
European customers Under the stimulus given to her
industry by her free Institutions, the tlle republic an.
nuay takes from the United States four or FIVE times as
much Of our great staple Of export is received from
us by the vast empire OF Russia; and liberal treaty
OF commerce and amily has receaiiy been nego'ia-
ted between Switzerland and the United States under
which this mutually beneficial intercourse will doubtless
be considerably augmented. To such a state Of things
the sway in Switzerland OF the ihriflless and retro
grade government established by Austria Italy would
speedily put an end.
The principle which excludes armed Intervention BY
the United States in the contests OF Europe except in
of necessity fall within the range OF
ipro,ec,on. may be regarded settled. II is fit that
such should be the recognised rule for both continents
to be observed by both OF equal Obligation and as
resting upon the great principle Blu, not the less
this account. 10 the even, OF conflict between Aus
trim and Switzerland. would all the symplibies OF The
American people be Stirred, aad all The moral force Of the
American government be surely auayed against despotc
aggression. and the side liberty. Neither the great
events in progress in the East, nor the momenou.
issues pending a, the Bospborus would divert the
interest and attention oil the United States from such
struggle.