Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-09

FOREIGN P0LICY-BELGIUm, sWITz-
ERLAHD, AND ITALY, AFTER THE
COUP D'ETAT.
In our article of Thursday, we attempted to
give an idea Of the effect produced by the
coup detat upon England, her people, and her
cabinet. We are now going 10 speak Of that
event In reference to other people, and Of its
ultimate influence.
Among countries the most exposed TO the
consequences Of such a change Of system, Bel
GUM stood foremost Two reasons equally
strong made her tremble for her integrity. Gov.
eted by France as an inexhaustible depository
of iron and coal---of which the latter nation
possesses but a small supplyshe is, besides,
the great commercial highway between France,
Holland, and the Zolyerein Confederation.
On the other hand, she is entirely under the
l16ntrol Of the spirit Of English institutions,
which may be said to flourish there in their
native purity.
The ascendency of the name of Napoleon
could not but make her look anxiously for the
preservation Of her commerce, her natural re-
sources, and her form Of government But
the covetous traditions Of the French Empire,
to which she believed the new French leader
was inclined to look, were well calculated to
inspire her with serious fears. There was even
moment when she believed the absorption Of
her nationality by France to be near at hand
These sinister presentiments made her seek the
favor of Russia, and united still more closely
around her limbs the chains with which
England had already bound her. To ward Of,
by any possible means, the encroachments Of
France and the loss of her independence, was
then the main affair Of Belgium during the six
months following the I'd of December. Dur
ing that time the opportunity of adding new
Notifications to the city of Anyers, and to trans
port thither the parliament of Bruxelles, was
seriously discussed. Fortunately, events did
not justify those apprehensions, and the meas
ures were postponed. Louis Napoleon, who
at first did not know what course he would
pursue, found himself constrained to advocate
the cause Of peace. This reason, added to the
necessity that France was under of procuring
copyright privileges to her numerous authors,
composers, and artists, and of asking protec-
ton for several of her productions, such as
wool, silk, and wines, caused her to seek for
an alliance with that nation. This she soon
obtained. The commercial treaty Of l845 was
renewed, and the copyright privileges, for
which she had successfully been contending,
for over thirty years, secured.
The effect of the coup d'etat upon Switzer-
land was to cool the revolutionary passions
which, since 1913, had thrown that country
into state Of continual agitation and uneasi-
ness. Notwithstanding the highly advanced
state Of its Democratic institutions, more pcriect
in some respects than those Of the United
States, there exists, however notable insult
iciency in the powers vested in the Federal
Government, and in the efficacy Of its police,
which renders it powerless against the inn
prudent instigations of the members Of the
revolutionary cause. That cause, sacred to
the eyes Of every American has not always
had, in Europe, very able and prudent adj
vocates. Whatever respect or sympathy the
men Of the late revolution in Europe may
deserve, it is undoubtedly true that the I'M
expected solution Of the eventful movements
of "4S,n and their effect against the progress
Of Democracy in Europe, are mainly due to
their want Of experience and proper training.
That, with better men at their head, France
could have maintained her republican form of
government, is not at all improbable; and that
with the help Of France, other neighboring
States could have gradually acquired the SCI
ence of selfgovernment, is q matter Of very
little doubt, even at the present time.
Italy was at the same time the theatre Of
extremely complicated events, in the midst Of
which, elements Of various characters we're at
play. The reaction, or counter revolutionary
spirit, was triumphant in Naples, Rome, and
Tuscany, whilst despotism in its most hideous
form was prevailing in the person ofButcher
Haynau over the once fertile, but now desola-
ted, Lombardy. The King of the two Sicilies,
who, with the assistance of England, had sue
ceeded in sitting the revolutionary spirit in his
States, could but feel stronger by the coupd
etat; and the Pope, though protected against
the love of his people by the bayonets of the
French Republic, could but feel relieved Of the
anxieties be suffered in consequence Of THEY'VE
known dispositions Of the radical democracy Of
France. SIX ~ "a u
Tuscany stood in the midst Of that conflict
with an open abyss under her feet. True the
grand duke had arrived 70 suppress, by arbi-
trary and extraordinary means, the immediate
dangers Of revolution. But the peril was
only averted, and not destroyed. The fepubli
cans had copgregated their forces under the
disgrise Of mastering Of companies Of sol
diers for Montevideo. But the trne object Of
that enlistment was to gather forces for the
coming year 1882 and the body Of men
which this little army contained was destined
to form the nucleus Of the army Of insurrec-
ton. Meanwhile exiles Of all countries, act
=. :. =, .,,rent;oy Nth them, had established