The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-02-21
TUE EIrpopF,N yV,D

THE EUROPEAN WAR.
The news from the Continent is still of a
most conflicting character Confidence in the
maintenance of peace would appear to gain
ground in Paris; but it would be difficult
to assign any other reason for this than the
fact, perhaps, of people allowing 'the wish to be
father to the thought" 1t is true, no new event
has occurred to justify fresh alarm; but, at the
same time, we are not in the least more enlightened
as to the intentions of the French Government
People believe in peace simply because they are
averse to war; but, such facts as transpire are
more of a warlike than pacific tendency the ad-
vocates OF recourse TO physical force for the set
tlement of the Italian question have a better foun
daton Tor their arguments than those who take the
other view, and indulge in a hope that Congress
will settle everything and "make things pleasant"
In opposition to the notion that the French Gov
ernment is anxious to settle the point at issue by
diplomacy, we have the fact that Austria has not,
up to this time shown the slightest disposition to
submit to arbitration. Every mail from Vienna
brings intelligence that the Austrian Government
fully expects that will, or later arise on
the Italian question, and that it is preparing for the
worst; and the Paris correspondent of the Herald
says that, among the lower orders in that capital
the notion OF Congress is heartily laughed at.
The Paris journals continue to discuss probabili-
ties with decided tendency to peace.
| The English Journals too-partcularly the Lon
don Press-keep up the discussion with spirit and
at length commensurate with the Importance of
the interests at issue. The Herald saws it is believed
in monetary circles that hostties in Europe NAV
still be averted The Morning Post boldly accuses
the Government of betraying tie interests and en-
dangering the peace of the country by pledging
support to Austria, breaking off the French ALI
ance, and even menacng France with the hostility
of England. The Daily Ne,cs discusses the strategic
aspects of the possible struggle-pointng ont the
strength of the Austrian lines of defence, and ar
guiDg that II even the French army advanced from
Rome, the Austrian army might at the same time
cross the Ticino and crush the Pedmontese army
and be ready to receive the French from the south
on the banks of the Pc, river which even the
prpat NanOpOn snppaadaI in, -,
face of the enemy. The City Article of the Times
refers to rumor which, though it may have no i'm
mediate bearing upon the Italian question, cannot
be received otherwise than significant 1t is that
the Government have completed a contract with
three large iron Companies for a supply of &C.
Founders as fast they can be cast An important
contract for gunpowder has also been taken.
The Times Paris correspondent, writing on the
9th ult, says:
contradictory facts and contradictory rumors
are still the order of the day. On the one hand
we are informed that there fresh orders for ex
| peditlng, as quickly as possible the naval arma-
ments, and that on the political attitude of Eng
land is in reality dependent; on the other is
reported Though for the correctness of the report
do not vouch) that M. de Pefsigny is to go to
England once more Ambassador, the Duke de
| Malakof coming back to take the command of the
Army of Paris, Gen. Magnan succeeding to the
| post of Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honor
vaca1t by the death of the Duke de Plaisance. The
| only one of these last mentioned rumors which
would be important. if it true, is that about
NJ. de Persigny. His reappointment to the London
Embassy would be regarded not only as a sign of
peace-uness he has changed his opinions strange
| ly in the last few weeks-but also of a desire to
| maintain the English alliance
Matters come to that pass that it is difficult to
| say anything certain one way or the other. We
STILL however, hear of the movement of troops, and
| another war indication may be read in the state
ment of the Opnione, of Turin, that the Grand
Duke of Tuscany has refused to accede to Austria's
| request regarding exchange of Tuscan for Aus
| trOODS. nf tba Du;y,,
| Ners states that the warlike preparations are go
ing actively that the breaking out of hostili-
| ties would seem not question of weeks, but of
| days.
The Paris correspondent of the Herald, writing
on the night of the 9th, the opinion is now al
most universal in Paris that crisis has arrived in
| the affairs of Europe more momentous than any
which has arisen since the wars of the first Empire
A small party however, belonging chiefly to the
monied interest, still fOndly cling to the hope that
| war may be averted, and that the warning voice of
! Lord Derbys Cabinet will succeed in persuading
| the three Powers, preparing for the fight, to
abandon their dangerous course. Among the lower
| classes the war feeling, stimulated by La Presse
and Steele, is growing daily more intense. This
feeling is further promoted by the present uncer-
tainty which depresses trade and consequently the
| labor mark t.
The London correspondent of the Manchester
Guardian says: certain it is that the expectation of
war seems rooted in the minds of even moderate
and sensible Italians resident here. The grounds
| of Lombard hatred of Austria are quite as much
personal as political. 1t is, above all the tremen-
dous pressure of Austrian taxation, amounting to
| something like confscation in the case of small
properties, and to reduction to one-half in the
case of large ones, that keeps up the settled dsaf.
lection among the propretors and nobles On the
part of the peasantry there was if not loyalty to
Austria at least entire absence of hostility till
| the increased stringency of the conscrption, and
the late alterations in the currency and salt duties
have supplied the lower classes also with sources of
discomfort, which come home to their businesses
and bosoms.
| A NEGRO EXCITEMENT IN SAN FRANCIsco- Con-
siderable excitement occurred on Clay street this
morning. 1t appears that Dr. Mccormick, of the
army, intended TO proceed to the east on the
| Sonora, this morning, and to take with him a NEGRO
| boy named William Matthews. The colored people
got wind of the affair, assembled this MORNING
near the residence of DR.. Mccormick, on the
Plaza, and as soon the boy Matthews came down
stairs with his masters trunks, for the purpose OF
placing them in the carriage, which was at the
door, seized him, hurried him down Clav street
and then along Sansome, and finally succeeded in
hiding him away somewhere 1t is said that the
boy was anxious himself to return to the East and
that he resisted those who carried him away this
morning--Atd California, Jan. 81.
A Texas paper states that every newspaper in the
State, except the Neuces Valley published at Cor
pus Christi, has expressed itself in strong term,
against the decision of Congress, that there were
dc EA.A Ahz. IL. G-eu