The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-05-18

the commencement of hostilities in Italy.
The declaration Of war has been published,
the opposing forces of France and Austria
have entered the Sandman Territory, and
before this it has probably been decided
whether Austria will be able, rs she antici-
pates, to crush ont Sardinia before France
can bring sufficient forces to her assistance
to defend her. And beyond this there is n
question whether with nj! her forces con-
centrated on what appears TO he the devoted
battle-ground, France can then he able TO
cope with the powerful, well-disciphned, and
well-generaled armies of Austria. If the
war is begun and entered into in earnest,
As it appears TO be, it may be one of the
most sanguinary in the annals Of history
For n long time past Austria has been look
ing with jealous eye on Italy; she regards
it very much IS Russia does the dissolving
wreck and as her lawful prize and for many
months past she has been preparing for this
very struggle upon which she is now enter
ing with so much appearance of early sue
cess, and she is determined not to part with
her prize without a terrible conflict-a con-
fict in which she is willing to devote all
the resources of her treasury and her people,
and with such determination il is no
childs play to thwart her. But this task
France has Observation-Disclosures she will
be successful time only can disclose, for the
struggle is quite doubtful one
The French are brave, spirited, and dar-
ing nation, and if Napoleon can command
the confidence of the people !. he may lead
them on to easy victories. 1t will take but
one such battle as Marengo or Lodi to arouse
a martial spirit almost equal to that with
which Napoleon the First drove this same
Austrian nation, from this same territory,
more than sixty years ago. But if the war
continues il is by no means probable that
Austria and France will be the only con-
tending parties. Already we hear rumors
of French alliance with Russia; the Ger
manic States express sympathy with their
confederate, Austria; England is endeavor-
ing to maintain an armed neutrality, but
warlike preparations are going forward with
activity at home, and her navies are ordered
of TO the vicinity of the seat of war. The
signs of the times in Europe certainly indi-
cate the coming OF great events. What
will be the result after the smoke of the bat
tie has passed and the revnlsions are over,
no diplomatic seer can foresee. All is con-
cealed behind the dark clouis of terrible
war.
The question naturally presents itself to
ne, who are separated from the commotion
both by the ocean and by our established
principles OF neutrality and nOn-interven-
ton, whether the canse of religious freedom
IS to be promoted by the coming state Of at
fairs. The war is now between Austrif
and France, and certainly little can be ex
pected from either of them. The House o
aapsburg for ages has been synonomou
with cruelty and oppression; and from sucl
military despot as Napoleon, the cause o
free governments and free action is yer!
little TO he benefited But il ia possibl
that these despntic governments may he thei
own Iain and ont Of the struggle Italy, an
even France and Germany, may rise up a
free and independent republics or constitu
t,onal monarchies. But il is now only
conflict between two arch enemies of Oh
people and the patriots OF Europe can hop
tar little from the success Of either. Th
course that England will take will have
great effect upon the current OF events.
is the only government from which aid ca
he expected for the republican revolutionar
element, and even the late election in tina
country is not favorable TO the side of re
form and the elective franchise. Whethe
this may have any effect upon her diplC
matte relations with the sovereignties of tn
continent we cannot say. But certainl
she will not be fulfilling her high mssio
ii she does not sustain and encourage th
weak against the encroachmenis of all der
Ioic powers.