Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-09-16
Marriage OF the Duks Of Brasa.t

| Prom the London Tines.
The marriage which has just been solemnired between
the Duke Of Braban heir apparent to the Crown Of Bel
gium and the Archduchess Henrietta Maria Of Austria
described by Belgian contemporaries with mnuteness
Of detail and fervour which would do honor
to mightier empire and ancient Court. IL has
evidently the desire aud the intention Of King Leo.
pod to give to thcee ceremonies the character AZ popu
lar ovation for the nation which he regns and Of
great State contract in the eyes Of Europe Accordingly
nothing omitted which the ccremonious etiquette
could suggest to give formal dignity this marriage
IL is said that when the Emperor Napoleon about
place the Archduehcss Maria Louisa the throne of the
French empire he caused all the precedens Of the French
Court to be exhumed for the occasionom the union Of
Louis NV. with the lnfana down the i'll starred
rage OF Louis XVI with Marie Antoinette. The ancient
ussge Of the transfer Of the Princes neutral ground
from the territories of her birth those of her adoption
was vigorously adhered to; aud the solemncs have
been grarev repeated this occasion in gentleman
house near I'll. railway station Veryicr We have
Gently seen that Louis Napoleon with happier instinct
OF the inclination Of these me dismissed all snch pom.
pous obervanees and married. he expressed it par
rcHu Though we have doubt that ing Leopold bad
his own motives for reverng to the most elaborate pre-
cedents which the etiquette OF European Courts could
suggest t is impossible TO repres smile at the theatr
cal character given parts OF ths transacon ana
Il might perhaps have been more judicous to abstain
nom display which awakens rather too many contrasts
and too many associations.
The people of Belgium however, whose feelings and
opinions the essential part Of the matter
quesonably responded with rspurous enthusiasm to
appeal made TO the r loyalty, and they have
tered fully into the historical Specification of this
Although nearly 80 years have elapsed since the Low
Countries wtestcd from the house Of Austria, and
efforts have been spared in the interval identity them
with their neighbors in French Flanders, their ancient
and indomitaoe spirit OF freedom and national indepen
dence has taught them for centuries TO look for support
to other countries against the danger that always threat
their western frontier The patriotic administration
of MARIA THERESA ef indeible these prov
inces, and no cry was more popular in the streets
of Brussels the other day than that which
ted the young Princess who will day ascend tho throne
of Belgium with the reVered of the Empress Queen
Flanders has, than other part of continental
Europe retained her municipal traditions and hei hstoT
cal association Ii is not therefore indifferent to her that
this alliance should restore the line of her
onal princes descendant of that house which first
brought Flanders its doEry the Empire; and when
the Austrian eagles embaIonei beside the coors OF
Belgium in the choir OF ST. Gudue, that unexpected
bination brought mind alliances Of the symbols
which have not ceased TO this day TO affect the politics OF
Europe IL unfortunate In respects that event
comparatively insignificant should be brought into
parson with the great historic figures Of past ages But
the other hand the importance of Flanders has for
many centuries been out of all proportion it, mag
nitui end population fer it the oscatng balance
Of influence between Germany and France; and King Lee
opold has very clearly shown by his conduct and forms
of proceeding this occasion that il the
ions he has established with the German States and with
England that he rests the Independence Of his domnons
and the permAnenco of his dynas Although his elao
be Is perfectly aware OF the real and deepseated feel
ings entertained the Tuileres towards Sovereign OF
Belgium who grandson Of Louis Philippe and mem
Der Of the COburg family The alliance with Austria
Afford Belgium some additional support, but il can
scarcely aggravate the desire which has BEEN felt
eIiiuguish her political existence. Her defensive pow
thus be nc eased the danger OF attack remaining
the IL OF course absud in tho French TO regard
this marriage aggressive step the part OF the
great continental Powers and the virtual dissolution OF
the tie beiseen Frsuce and Belgium which sprang OF
the revolution Of 1880. fha. lie was broken when
France expelled the younger branch Of the BoarOons aud
elected Bonaparte; for Belgium retained her free in
stIutiOns aud her dynasty, it impossible that she
should be closely connected with despoc neighbor
who threatened her independence she had been with
that constitutional monarchy which the principal
thor OF her political existence. The principles of her
neutrality require that she should lean exclusive
alances but they equally empower her TO choose her
friends where she has most TO trust them and it
beyond doubt that te Begans themselves have in
this marriage an additional pledge Of their ndepen
deuce.
About the same time the young Emperor Of Austria
has proceeded 20 announce the world his choice
OF eons1rt and his Ocrotha with the Princess Elizabeth
OF BavailA has been celebrated in unOstenAOus
ner at lsch In this marriage the contrary 1t is i'm
possible to trace any political motive whatever. The fu
ure Empress l. the daughter OF junior member Of the
Royal family Of Bavaria who married another Princess Cf
the blood; aid the connection between the parties
is rendered still closer 10y the fact that tile mothers Of the
Emperor and Of the bride sisters This marriage Is
then family compact probably TO the prefer
% the Archduches sophia the EHperor mother FOR
her relatIOns There l. nothing TO crafty
bi.ion affect tie political relations OF the Ger
States in such arrangement which probably open
10 comment objection whatever except those which
nscparabls from the marriages Of all relations.
Upon the whole, these are signs far a. they 60 OF
tranquility, confidence and peace. The dyusses which
we're much shaken lew years ago preparing
TO raise up generation Of heirs to their hereditary
honous and earnestly hope that these joyful
may every here be accompanied by relaxation Of
the present oppressive system and by some indications Of
that reliance in their future welfare which the Bel
have 20 loudly expressed.