Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-09-27

fto~ ns Lo.dss Ts.es Sept. sl
There has been talk u late 81 proxiass disco
luton 81 the North Anes'e.n Union on acseans u the d
sssacs bsssssa Ne saavsAo,rg end ~ Frssso S..s
such an event. which We hold 70 be hat
mote than Our potcs prophets suppose despite Of
at wshisgon u Que veil worthy 70 d. the
attention d mankind. The interests involved srs 80
mighty, the ndceace that would exercise upon human
affairs extensive that Is scarcely Tor saprse
that should have become suhec, for much and
speculation. But o while all discussing the grea,
Transatlantic difficulty, another like Il Ia kind howev.
laderoas unlike IL In magnitude. arises on, ve-y
o~s The cry Of piss 10 Rolf has been raised In the
country OF William Tell An attempt. which scarcely
be called serious has actually been made dissolve
the Swiss Union aud incorporate portion least OF
s territory with the Prassian monarchy The story Is
absurd enough and appears have ended PRETTY much
loo the BslinGary fashion. Prussisu poblsnan by
and Count Frederick Pourtales folio red by
200 or 500 Royast seiaed on the castle at Neuchae
rested several msbers VI the Counc of State hoi.ted the
Pussan dag. and Issued proclamation appealing 10 the
"loya sympaihes Of the determined republicans In
Europe Asscond column marched on place less known
to amelia Chaux-de-F onds. Two three Federal
| battallons commanded by certain Colonel Bour-
geois able give satisfactory account Of
the Neuchael Insurgents. The mountancers Who the
time the last advices despatched hurryinR
down the Of actoa have doubtless this dis
posed in similar OF the auxiliary column Moth
ing remains be done but to put the insurgents their
trial. and IN their fate. IL would not be surprising IL
the decsons characterised by considerable STERN
ness for blood has been shed. There scarcely be
heinous crime than 10 disturb peaceful country.
political which possessed the pro-
liabilities Of The nsurgent leaders do not APP
pear to have looked beyond the moment have cal
culated chance that OF momentary victory IL
might In the possible nsurrectiou.
AIRY troop had their been well contived aud
ven concealed, take and hold possession Of London
bauack hour two, but defeat and punishment
the end Of that brief space would inevitably follow up
the anstory This is just the story OF the
Neuchael insurrecou Of the day but in another
form IL very easy, Doubt arrest a lev uiem-
hsra theC of State hut tha th.t
these peaceful functonsries had the ~hole Of Switzerland
and, from another, the whole of Europe,
with the exception Of Prussia their back. The arrest
the slaughter Of 4 lev unmportant individuals
imply the destruction of syste the oblit.
Grafton OF a sentiment from the minds and hearts Of q
people who, whatever their faults may be, proud OF
their freedom aud determined TO maintain It.
IL il curious question how far Prussitn agents have
been engaged in promoting this movement Their action
Of course would not be direct but t almost in
credible that the widest fanatic should have made such
attempt this had he not a previous STEP assured
himself OF the sympathy and secured the aid Of the
Power in behalf OF which he proiessed IL will be
dicslt-nay, next To impossible, procure proof Of
such completely although the truth Of il may be general
" admitted The difficulty the other hand is to con-
ceve that any persons orofrssng be could
be brought couuteusnce such absurdity Precipi
and rapid decision have been the usual faults of
Prussian In times historical and certainly
during the Russian the advisers OF the hesating
King have adhered very religousiy to the
tious traditions OF their predecessors. The argument,
however does not go Tor much for governments like in
dvidus- but bundles OF Inconsistencies How often
private life do lady reject
oer Of marriage after another and finally elope with
Irish captain with her brothers tutor the butler If
the Prusan Monarch his advisers have been prvy
the Wild affair Neuchatsl their step from complete
quiescece should discourage them from ever again cn
gushing their mastery inacton 1t has terminated in
disappointment and disgrace. His Gag has been torn
down and ampled ou his adherents exposed the
wedeserved severity OF the outraged laws and the
Prussia mentioned throughout the but call
forth expressions oil derison and Contempt Was worth
while to cross Prussian Pruth for such a resuts
We have said that nothing remains but to try the
prisoners aud trust that the Swiss authorities when
they to determine upon their fate will remember
that question of sound policy well of good feel
ing would be well that the judges should largely
per Justice with mercy. IL would be mpolitic add i'm
portance movement which should he quenched in rid
cuc by great severity after all further danger Of dis
turbance is end Extreme punshments only be-
ger irritation in the minds OF the survivors Of the
vanquished party but they may also have tendency to
feelings OF co'nmiseraon and possibly OF sympa-
thy ia the breasts OF many persons who would have
guessed cheerfuy in the inction OF moderate pen
aes As poiut OF feeling, too, it would be pleasant
that the triumph OF the Swiss Republicans is stain
ed with blood Let them show themselves in favourable
contrast with the Monachs of Europe when these had
covered the power which had slipped or been torn from
their grasp
We do not attach any political importance this
There has existed for long time past great rri
ation the part OF Austria towards the Swiss Canons,
aud in Paris the feeling has existed to certain de-
gree. However cautious the policy OF the Swiss rulers
have BEEN they could altogether avoid giving Of
fence their powerful neighbour, because their
ains have frequently proved sanctuary place OF
refuge the political refugee No doubt had any
occurred which really threatened the dissolution OF the
Union a military would have surgcd into SwitZeI-
land frnm the Austrian and another from the French
frontier hut the disturbance is ridiculous afford
pretext Intervention. Finally eneat all enthuas
young gentlemen aud romantic ladies' disqurt
their spirits about William Tell and Swiss patriotism
The Swiss just the most prosac and none making
nu in Europe. the Dutch excepted. -Four Swiss
gimens the present moment mantsin the throne aud
the tyranBa Of King Bomba and but for their help he
could scarcely reckon upon hours duration III his reign
We glad that the Swiss have been able defend their
Independence, hut need regard them therefore
the champions Of European liberty.