Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-02-17
STATE DEMOCRAT.


Thuso0ov MoSoene,. .....s.kSes III 1SO0'
rhe News sssn EsseDs.
The telegraphic reports Of the news
from Europe, published in our issue OF
yesterday, was exciting in the extreme
The entire continent seems TO te in .
state of ferment. Nothing is heard Of
but wars and rumors Of wars. 10 each
country the hustle and confusion Of
preparation for deadly struggle reigns
supreme. The monster founderies Of
England are engaged in turning out
hundreds of massive cannon and deadly
projectiles, and large and pressing or
ders have been received by her powder
factories. In France also, the note Of
preparation has been sounded. Troops
of cavalry horses have been ordered
by the government, nearly an hun
bred war transports were directed
to be completed upon the first
day Of March, ships of the line
have been ordered into the Meditera-
Man, and all recruiting of emigrants
for the African colonies has been pro-
hibited by decree Of the Emperor
Austria also, and Sardinia, and the
whole Of Italy, standing on the defen-
sive, await, in suspense, the breaking
out of hostilities, not knowing from
what quarter an enemy will come forth,
or whether it will not spring up in
their own midst.
A crisis has arrived in the affairs
Of Europe more momentous than any
since the wars of the first Emperor
A grand convulsion is approaching
The volcano which has slumbered for
time is again preparing to break
forth; but strangest of all is the fact
that no one appears to know where
the commotion will begin. Each ma
ton is preparing for war, but none
seems to be certain in which quarter
its enemy will appear. All however
naturally look with suspicious eye
towards France, although it is not con
elusive that her preparations are moi
more on the defensive than on the Of
fensive' For a long time past The
impression has l'een gaining ground
not only in this country, but in all Eu-
rope, and even in France ITSELF tina
the Emperor Napoleon must soon en-
ter upon a war for self-preservation.-
The French with their natural tickle
ness Of character, have grown tired o
the pomp and circumstances and par
aphernalia, with which the Empero
for while dazzled their eyes. The.
pant again for change; and if tn
army upon the shoulders Of which tn
crown is sustained, also catch the in
lection, neither the Empire nor tn
person Of the Emperor would be safe
for a day.
To these facts, no one can be NOR
fully alive than the Emperor himsel
By fetes, and parades, and displays
and magnificent public enterprises, h
has kept up the illusion until the pres
ent time; but now the clamors of tn
army can no longer be silenced.-
They demand work, and if the Empel
or will not furnish it abroad, they wi
make it at home.
The knowledge of these facts, te
gether with the late much remarke
words Of the Emperor Napoleon to th
Austrian Minister, have led the nation
Of Europe of late to look with peculis
suspicion towards France, and it mus
be confessed that they have not acte
without reason.
What will be the result of the sur.
. ly approaching convulsion in Europ'
it is impossible to forsee.
We might predict the enlivenin
effect of general and protracted En-
, ropean war upon the commerce of on
country, and the new life which
, would give to the agricultural inte1
ests of the great West; but both hr
. manity and christianity dictate tn,
we should not rejoice in the prospe,
of a paltry gain Of dollars and cent
+ which will cost oceans of blood an
an inestimable amount of human mi
cry.
Let us hope rather that if the stor,
Of war must come, it may be of shol
duration, and that when the clou
shall clear away, the sun of libert
will shine ip upon the despotic da1kne.
Of Europe Is brightly as it now doe
} upon our own loved country.
Forsak1ng TIE Democsacy..Tho Easems
The Burlington Hawkese, an enter
prisipg Republican paper. has ms