The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-06-02
The War.


like movements in Europe as the beginning
of the long expected struggle between old
despotisms and the growing power OF the
popular will, are fearful that Austria may
continue to postpone the conflict by reced-
ing from her positions, and proposing, ac-
cording to her usual policy, when in tight
place. some temporizing conditions. Her
timid and inefficient course increases the ap-
prebension that she will back out Of the
fight, and endeavor to secure by diplomacy
what she cannot maintain by force. The
friends of European regeneration, confident
Of the strength OF their cause, are anxious
for the conflict aud its early determination.
They rejoice in every indication of 6rmness
and spirit on the part Of Austria to main
tain the contest, aud would lament TO see
her deserted by her natural allies and dis
heartened before she commits herself be-
yond retreat 10 the arbiter of battles. The
6ght must be fought, and the sooner II
comes on and the more earnest and deter
mined the struggle, the more complete and
signal will be the triumph, and more rapid
the progress of civilization. The fears are
that the movement viii end in temporary
compromises; in patched up, hollow peace
But Heaven avails itself of the passions of
men to accomplish its designs; the selfish
ambition of the Emperor Napoleon may in
duce him to reject all overtures, resist all
accommodation, and, in the obstinate pur-
suits of his design, precipitate in spite OF
all efforts to arrest it, the long expected con-
vulsion of opinions, that is to decide the
future condition and character of European
society and civilizations.
The war is professedly for the ameliora-
ton of the condition of Italy; for the miti-
CATION of the pressure of Austrian despot-
ism upon her material progress; but its real
cause is the inability of the popular senti-
ment of Europe to longer endure the princi-
pies of the Austrian rule. Her acts are not
so aggressive to the people of Italy as the
e1actions of Napoleon upon the people of
France. But one is done in compliance
with popular sentiment-the other is en-
forced by military power against it. Popu-
lar opinion now claims everywhere its le-
gitimate rights of dam inion, under every
form of government. Louis Napoleon may
be an Emperor, and be denounced as usur-
per and tyrant, ruling with a despotic sway,
but he is the creature of the popular breath
the foundation of all his power is in the
popular sentiment, which has made him,
and can unmake him more suddenly than
the Buchanan dynasty can be changed in
the United States. The war in Italy Of to-
day is made in obedience to the popular
will-to ingratiate himself and confirm hi:
power with the French people and he can
not sustain it n week beyond their approva
of its objects.
Austria is the only government of Eu
rope that now formally and avowedly re
sists the rights of popular opinion, as an ell
ement of government. She has sympa
thizer5 and silent supporters in every OLE
aristocracy upon the continent; but M
government, but hers, dares frame its polio.
upon such an ayowed principle. The strug
gle for the ascendancy of popular opinion j
not confined TO the fight with Austria, 10
that would be matter easily and speedil.
settled, but it is to resist and defeat the mach
nations Of the friends Of her despotic prin
ciples who occupy the chief places in th
government of every county that may be il
the field against her. IL is these friend
who would save her from the contest, ant
who have, in England and Germany, exert
ed themselves TO patch up peace, in orde
10 defer the issue ill another generation.
II an early peace occurs, il will be Ill
triumph of this class. II the war be carrie
on TO the end OF the issue, it will inaugural
great changes in the opinions and politics
condition OF the present generation. IL W.
give shock TO ancient authority and prejI
dices, from which there will be no recover
If il stop short of a settlement of the que
ton, and in a temporary compromise, i
immediate consequences may be limited, bI
the ect Of concession, however insignifcan
will teach the people their power and poiI
the way for them to enforce their demand
The public mind OF Europe is gradual
adopting American IDEAS Of political right:
the practical necessities of mankind are
last felt to have higher Importance tina
privileges of classes and the traditions
dynasties. One decisive battle would q
more for human rights, at this period, ths
ages OF speculative and philosophic peace.
BAz The retirement OF Count Buol, 81
Austrian prime minister, at this critic
,anctuTe in Austrian.affairs, is looked up;
az an event of great significance. He
temporizing, cautious, and timid minist'
of the Metternich school, and was probab
removed. by the Emperor either for /