Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-01-13
PRUssIA ANp sWITZFRLANp.

4hgloAa AMI 9W446hGhA4a0Os
Tbs affairs of these countries are beginning to
excite considerable interest The following his
tory of the difficulties existing between them We
copy from the Journal Of Commerce:
An article published in the Paris Moniteur of the
18th ult. concerning the dispute between the King
of Prussia and the Swiss Government about the
Canton Of Neuchalel, has invested this affair with
importance, and has rendered it for the moment
the most prominent subject of interest in political
circles IN Europe.
It will be remembered that, at the outset of the
controversy between Prussia and Switzerland
consequent upon the royslist Instruction in Neuf
chRtel in last September, steps were taken by both
the contending parties to secure the moral support
of the French Emperor in favor Of their rival pre-.
tensions. Prussia demsnded the unconditional
release, without trial. of the Tiaglesders of the
riot and Switzerland refused to comply with this
peFemptory summons on the ground that to do so
would be the virtual sacrifice of hsr national in.
dependence, the destruction Of the authority of
her Judicial tribunsl, and notification OF her
laws. The situation of France with regard to the
parties, geographically as we'll as politically, point
ed her out as the best and most appropriate media.
tor to adjust the difficulty impartislly, AMI it was
therefore natural that they should respectively
desYor to win her favor, and hope for the best re-
BulL5 T0u QeE llleIE6IeLCes W 0aLeVef hopes
Switzerland may have entertained Of this natUr e,
have been rudely disPeled by the article in the
Moniteur.
1t appears from the document above alluded to
that the Emperor advised General Dufour 1.-THE
Swiss Envoy to urge upon his government the
expediency OF Rccedlng 20 the request Of Prussia,
and of at once releasing the royalist rebels without
q trial that the Swiss Executive respectfully de.
clined to follow this advice, ard that the Emperor
- hob h1
"deporable obstinRcy, % ian exaggerated suscepti-
bility' and "a complete lndIhereECs to bis (the
Emperors) advice, now officially warns SwiIzsr-
lsnd that she must not look n the course ofeVeuts
for any further mamie station of that good will from
France which she might have secured at the price
of q very tTIhng sacrifice" In other words, that
she must sbide the Consequences, should Prussis
fulfil her threa. OF eutJrCng her demands at the
point OF the bsyCnet. The Moniteur gees fur
Their 1t recognizes the right of the King of Pcus.
Bis to Neuichstel IS established by the London
protocol of 1852 signed by tue Great Powers as
sembled there, adding that 'the imperial govern
ment, whatever may be its sympathy for SV itzer-
land, cannot do otherwise than acknowledge what
has been soemnly ratified by Treaties, and it jus.
titles Count POurtRles and bis associates ia their
attempt to overthrow the republican government
in Neufchate and lin raising the standard of their
King to fight for what they conceived to be their
rights and the just cause"
This argument were it asserted by the Emperors
Of Russia and Austria or by any other of those
nonarchs who rule by the 'irdeessible divine
right of Kings, would appear natural enough; but
when used by a sovereign who owes his throne to
a reVolution-who rul5s, as he says, by "the will
of the people"-who is the very embodiment Of
the will Of the majority as opposed to the minor
ty it appears singulsCiy inconsistent and exposes
the French Emperor, not unjustly, to the imputa-
ton Of sacrificing principle for the purpose Of
winning favor from the Legitimate" monaTCbs OF
Europe
AS may easily be imagined, this abandonment OF
Switzerland to the consequences OF the fullerton
measures" alluded to by Prussia has given no little
encouragement 10 that power to carry out her
threats, and has aroused the sympathy Of 81 those
who love freedom and national independence for the
brave little republic which has declared it will not
shrink from sacrificing all its grown up men, rsth
er than yield 20 unjust demands
The most extensive military preparations are be-
iup made in Prussia for the immediate invasion of
Switzerland and the occupation Of ISLE and Schaf-
hansen. The number Of the troops to be emploL
ed the names of the Generals and the fact that the
Prince of Prussia is to be Commander 10 Cniet
are se7erslly announced by the Berlin journals,
and note is said to have been dispatched by n.
Msntey ffel to the powers who signed the London
protocol, announcing that the King of Prussia, To-
ding that diplomacy has failed to settle the dispute,
and finding that his honor Is seriously compromised
bv delay, has determined to take the matter into
his own hands, and eudesVor to obtain by the
sword VIVA. he hss failed to achieve by the pen.
Switzerland, on the other hand, nothing dsuuted,
is making her preparations for defence, and is de-
termined 10 accept the combat. Relying on the
valOr Of her sturdy population, inspired by the
memory Of her glorious history, strengthened by Il
possession of free institutions, and entreuChed be-
hind the Notifications with which nature has sur
rounded her she is resolved 10 defend her liberties
at every sacrifice This gallant, dignifed, and Just
attitude must command universal respect and if
she be forced to accept the battle 10 defence Of her
national honor and independence, every freeman
must wish her success against her Prusslau invader
What course England will take in the matter is
not vet declared but should Prussia resort to arms
it IS not likely that the British people will long al
low their government 10 continue inactive specta-
tors of an attempt to crush out Swiss liberty. The
Gazette de France ssys that the Cabinets of st.
James and the TuIlerIes sTe at complete variance
on the Swiss question, and the London Daily Nelgs
loudly calls on Lord PsnegstOn TO proclaim, in the
most uuequivocsl language, the determination Of
the English Court and Cabinet to resist such gross
violation Of the international laws of Europe IS
threatened by the King of Prusss, 1Uitl tbsprOnis
ed commence Of the Emperor Of the French" It
may be that English counsels will prevail, at the
last moment to prevent matters proceeding to eX-
tremities, and that Prussia will be saved the dis.
grace and Switzerland the calamity, of shedding
each others blood for 50 insufficient a cause.
nOvrreoyg NonrrNo m EpHruurs