The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-19

sugars were steady with sales OF between 900 and 700
hhds New Orleans and Cuba given in another
column Coffee was steady with sales OF about 750 bags
jamaica and lots of Laguayra rates given else
where. Freighs were steady, while engagements were
moderate and rates unchanged.
The State OF Affairs In Europe-Is 1t a aene-
raj War a General Revolution TINT Is
Coming:
We have received our mails by the steamship
America to the goth, and one weeks later ad-
vices from Europe by the telegraph from St.
Johns. The aspect of affairs there shows not
only that a general war on the Continent is i'm
minent, but from wide generalization of the
state of popular and political fermentation, it
would seem as though the last days of the Eu-
ropean dynasties are approaching.
The present signs are more Immediately those
of international war, but the very causes that
threaten to produce this are of far deeper origin
than simple international quarrels Ostensibly
the motive is the necessity of reform, in liberal
sense in Italy; but it is not in Italy alone that
the reform question is agitated. The British
Parliament which has just met, must discuss, in
the face of all Europe, the reform measures
which are to be presented by Bright and Others.
France burns through every vein and artery for
it, while Louis Napoleon lives in constant appre-
hension Of assassination by an italian hand on
one side, and on the other the necessity of re-
moving all anxiety at home in regard to indus
trial prosperity, and giving play to the aspira-
tons of French liberalism beyond the Dor.
ders of the Empire. Italy is confessed on
all sides, except by Austria, to be perfect
pest house Of corruption and oppression which
must be purified. The Prussian Parliament is in
session, with such an immense liberal majority
in the popular branch of it that the Prince Re-
gent has become alarmed and receded from the
liberal policy he had initiated; the German
principalities are filed with political unitarans
longing for German unity Austria, threatened
on Tue BID &c hnr Italian possessions finds CALI
cia and Hungary in state OF popular Ieruleus
that requires an increase of eighty thousand men
to her forces there and in Russia the question
Of the emancipation of the sers has given rise to
the idea of q convocation of the States General
of the Empire, which must eventually fructify.
Everywhere the great reform movement under
lies the present agitation of Europe, and the
press of every country on its western shore,
keeping a guarded silence on the requirements
of reform at home, universally admit its neces
sity in some of the other countries, while all con-
cur in denouncing the present condition of Italy
as one which is repugnant to civilization and
humanity
On the surface Of this great popular agitation
lie the signs Of international war, pressed into
notice by some of the rulers in order to lead the
| public mind from dwelling on home evils. First
among these is Louis Napoleon, seeking to found
| an absolute dynasty, and to be the arbiter of
Europe, by f1attering and cheating its demo-
cratic elements. But there are other dynasties
which see that their only hope of safety lies in
being able to arouse the feelings of national
pride and International hatreds to such pitch
as to induce them to forget the home evils under
which each nation labors. This has multiplied
the indications of war in Europe greatly during
the fortnight we have under review. Parliament
has opened in England and the Queens speech
is ominously silent on the Italian question; the
money centres everywhere are nervously sensi-
tive, and fluctuations Of all the public funds are
extreme; military preparations of all kinds are
| continued with great activity in England,
France, Sardinia and Austria camp is being
formed at Toulon, and baking establishments are
kept at work night and day; the French and
Russian squadrons in the Mediterranean are to
be largely increased; Victor Emmanuel has
called upon the great Powers to save Piedmont
from the Austrian pressure which is warning in
directly with Sandman interests and her consti-
tutional independence Austria has increased
her garrisons in the towns of Italy to an over
towering proportion with the Italian troops-has
eighty thousand men on the banks of the Ticino,
in front Of the Sandman troops, and doggedly
resists all reform in Italy; the Russian press,
lately so peaceful in its representations, now
breathes of war on every side, and
that of England holds markedly sgnif
cant tone towards "the arbitrary and
dictatorial conduct of France" and the
wicked pertinacity Of Austrian protection
in Italy 'of things VIGOROUSLY full of corrup
ton and oppression" In connection with these
things 1t is worth while to remember how ex-
actly Louis Napoleon has followed the traditions
of the first Empire, and that Italy was the scene
Of the first Napoleon's glories, and Austria the
victim.
Such is the present state Of affairs in Europe
and the condition of things which surround its
egotisticsl dynasties, having three millions Of
brutal soldiers under pay, who must have work
spoil and promotion abroad to prevent them from
fraternising with the oppressed people at home
They indicate that mighty change is coming
but whether that change be general war or a
general revolution Is the question. The year Of