Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-08-12
Position Of tn. Great European Powers.

european
this conjuneure of tho worlds affairs naturally re-
garded with extreme soctude by all the countless thou
sands whose interests arc involved in the progress
issue Of tho lu this country especially where dis
cussion is free and opinion ds unrestricted expression
the obscure or changeab policy Of the German courts is
csnvsssed with unremi,ing attention, and the
Of Austria and Prussia observed with much viS
lance as hoee of Russia ITSELF II cannot be deuied that
there Is good ground for the expectations which this
anxiety s based For years past has been advanced
an uuimpeschsbe theory that the peace Of the world
maintained by a concerted understanding Of tho Five
Great Powers, aud in recent times was
certed that nothing but the refinement Of this concert
into q recognized OF arbitration required
tiuguish war aud its horrors for all time come. No
sooner did the differences between Turkey aud Russia
important character than tho theory in que.-
ton instantly sknowiedged aud applied. First at
Constantnopc, and afterwards Vienna, tho rcprescu>
tsres Of France, Eusland Austria aud Prussia combin
cd their action in evident pursuance oil common under
standing and at leugh notwithstanding
differences Of opinion, the views OF all the four govern
mens were brought to identity Of expression, and
committed to the formal terms OF diplomatic record
Then the hour of trial. The sentence Of the
had been unanimously pronounced but who WAS to exc.
the decrees England aud France though reluctant
sheless adhered their words and accepted the last
of rather than permit their decisions to become
a nullty; but Austria aud Prussia, though committed
to the self same resolutions, have hitherto abstained
from gvi:g them force, aud have allowed the common
adversary persist in his con,umacy and violence.
Such policy this has naturally created some strong
feeling among people whose words equivalent
their bonds, aud who Infatuated by the uslgcs
daily life attach the highest sanctity all their en-
gagcmeuts is felt in England that Prussia might, had
she thought fit have upheld the of tho Car
the Sultan, have defended the occupation of the Prncpa
ties, and justified every title of the Menschikon demands
This perfectly open her a sovereign aud
independent power accountable to herself alone for her
views of European transactions But this she did
take On the contrary she with
the Western governments in dcnouucng the agcres sons
Of Russia, ana put upon formal record these identical
illusions in virtue Of which these governments are now en-
gagged in war IL was after the voluntary testimony the
justice OF the European cause after this plain coudenns
OF the Cars proceedings alter this public assent
the requsitiors made by England and France that she
not only belcd her words by manifest indifference
but exercised her influence TO enbarass and impede the
honorable ererons Of Austria in the lusc
Austria had many impedlmens OF her to surmount
before she could bring her forces into action Those who
oudeSt n complaining Oi her delays should recolrc
that they also the ouiest not twelve months ago
in proc!aiming her utter inability go in any
Whatever The aggregation OF territories termed
the Austrian empire had recently been shaken almost to
disruption by the co1vuis;ons Of revolutionary year.
Hungary moodiy dsafrected Lombardy scarcely con
olablc the imperial finances in hopeless condition
the whole framework Of tie political machine seriously
disorganized. These difficulties however would all sp-
parenty nave been but for obstacles secretly
exposed by Prussia. Prussia herself labored under
such ADVERTISEMENTS. She had, it is true, in
.i.h Austria, long line of frontier exposed Russia
assault in Of actual rupture with the Gar exact
~ in proportion to the extent Of this line lis probable
security Austria aud Prussia remained sincerely
Together aud with the OF the Gcrmanic Con-
edeTdcy their backs, these governments could have
Drought million of hsyonets into the field against an az
yressor, whose forces would tho time have been
distracted by the operations Of France and before
onstadt aud Seoastopol. Danger therefore was on.
Of the question, while other dssulsiyes there was
PTussia had full treasury, credit in abundance,
nous army aud an enlightened population. As far
~ political sympathes are concerned, her protested
,lhni;ics rather with Great Britain than viii,
Russia. She had been Boosting OF her advances il
constitutional science, had LAID the foundations of
representative government aud had every where sssum
81 the position Of a Power with liberal tendencies, he
coming the education and intelligence of her people
The sole consideration the other side originated
IN the personal sentiments OF the sovereign. The King
OF Pussia though placed like the Emperor of Austria
under moral obligation the Car, intimately con-
nected with that monarch by family ties and such
count this connection turned that the public duties
nation sud the government have been substantially
sacrificed. Tncre exists in Prussia party analogous
those discoverGble III most other ionsa party
much conservative reactInary, opposed progress
adverse liberal institutions and DESTROYS rather re-
Vivng the past than improving the future This PARTY
though small iii numbers, sni perfectly insignificant
in comparison with the great Prusian nation, has
tdherents among the high NOBILITY and, under such
constitution THAI OF Prussia many opportunities III
hIeucing the government Is has recently succeeded in
getting the government almost entirely into its hands,
and avas tet OF the weakness ndecson and affection Of
the kiug play the game of its natural patron-the Gar
This policy is accomplished by various means but pruc
pally through the facilities afforded by the peculiar
siitution OF the Germanic body.
Austria and Prussia, besides being independent and
sovereign States members of that political Associa-
ron which still bears the collective name Of Germsuy-
The command presidency of this association would be
equivalent TO the command OF mighty kingdom IT
lodged with the imperial title, in the house OF Aus
tria but this arrangement terminated in the Of
the French revolution, and the prize under desig
nation other has been contested by Austria and Pru
-ia since. Any false step the part Of either f
these powers with reference Germany might throw the
desired ascendancy into the hands OF tho other This
risk Austria is naturally unwilling run speak OF
body, under the Influence OF Prussia dissent from
her proceedings in the matter OF the Ii happens
TO- that the second rate German couts-such those
Of Bavaria, Wur,emberg Saxony, &c.-are peculiarly
menabe 10 the designing of Russia are
thus made ready Instruments OF intrigue. Illustration
these facts given in what termed the Confer
Of Bamberg whore the in question volunteer
ed opinion upon the and its objects framed tho
roughly in Russian interests. Prussia therefore, by pu;
ting this machinery 10 action, well by ntmlto' Of
her policy 10 the game quarter, can menace Austria
with Is jation from the GermRnic body, with loss OF na
ence. and with deprivation Of support
Such game, however, 10 double well dangerous
and her risks would be infinitely the greater of the two II
the German people should awake TO OF its own
dignity AMI rights In tho meantime. active alliance
with the constitutional governments of the Wet sglnst
the despot of the North would prove the security of
tria In her dsaiected provinces, would terminate
pen,c costly aud perious 10 her actual war, and
would exhibit her the true champion Of German inter
inst the insdious blocksder Of the Danube Th.
operation notwithstanding the clandestnc opposion Of
Pru.ss there every anticipate aud the
Emperor OF Russia alter seeing all tue great powers Of
Europe united against him in the cabinet will encounter
three out Of the four combined agains. him in the field
From the Courier and Erqnirer.1
PROCLAIM ALTON OF G GENERALS O'DONNELL, DULCE
AND MESSINA.
Spaniards, Alter the errors and cstastopaes
OF 1915 it natGral that all the nations OF Europe
should give themselves up to the fruitful repose which,
cept in special and very peculiar circumstances, public
order secures And above all in Spain, which had been
all cted By fifty years Of revolution and bloody wars
weiricd 10y many m.sfortunes, which had been brought
upon her by the ns1peence Of political parties aud the
aay of evcns Il necessary take breath in order