Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-07
WARM Europe.

For three months past, the public mind has
been agitated both in this Country and in Eu-
rope, by the rumors of an impending war, in
which the principal actors were to be France
and Austria, and the fair plains of Italy the
battle-ground Each steamer, since the news
Of Louis Napoleon's significantly unciyii re-
marks to the Austrian Minister, has by its in
telligence on the whole tended to strengthen the
opinion in this country that war was inevitable.
The Moniteur, the organ of the French Empe-
ror, has occasionally put forth pacific mani
festo, and lulled the public apprehension tenn
porarily. But it has been quite apparent that
the nephew of his uncle has determined on war,
and no articles in the Monitew could serve, for
any time, to divert attention from the extensive
military preparations going on in the Kingdom.
The news by the last steamer takes away what
little hope was left of a peaceful solution OF the
difficulty, and shows the dreadful storm-cloud
Of bloody conflict threatening and imminent
The impending contest seems to proceed upon
something such a principle as the war of the
Crimea. That WAS for the protectorate of Tur-
key, this is for the prutectOrate of Italy,
Louis Napoleon assumes here to be taking the
side of Italian nationality against Austrian
despotism. In the present state of affairs, the
sympathy of Germany and Prussia, and Eng
land with the present British Ministry, is with
Austria, while Russia goes with Napoleon. 1t
is by no means certain, however, what face
England, in the course Of two months, may
show to the combatants as u ministerial crisis
was close at hand at the last advices. If the
present Ministers should be defeated on the
Government Reform Bill, it is more than
probable that q new Ministry will be formed,
which will include Palmerston, the fast friend
of Napoleon Ill.
The war seems to be provoked, premeditated,
by Napoleon. He maintains his throne solely
by the power of the bayonet, and a nation at
peace does not long endure military despot.-
But France covets the glory of splendid military
achievements, and Louis we'll understands this.
If he gains for France renown in war, brings
back to her capital the captured flags, and
trophies of great battles fought bravely and
won gloriously, and celebrates in Paris, with
pomp and spectacle, his victories, France will
be quite willing he should occupy the throne of
bis uncle. And he could have chosen no more
| fitting field for his battles The first Napoleon
won his earliest and most brilliant victories
over his Austrian enemies on the plains of Italy.
If the conduct of the nephew in the present
war, does not suffer too much by the contrast,
he may consider himself safe on his throne.
Nobody supposes that Napoleon has really
any sympathy for Italy, or desire to keep her
nationality distinct but he does not mean that
Austria shall absorb Italy. He means to make
France, if possible, what she was when the
man of destiny carried her eagles to every
capital on the continent If he cannot do this,
he still hopes to make her the first power in
Europe, knowing if he can do So for the glory
he brings her, she will be quite content to en-
dure his despotism. But who will answer for
the misery, mourning, blood and crime that
| wall result from such war?
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