The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-11-13
The Contest Between Christian and
Moon--A New Element in European

The Contest Between Christian and
Moor-A New Element An European
complications.
There is great sensitiveness in England and
with reason, ut the gathering of fleets aud
armies in the vicinity of Gibraltar. That i'm
portant point is one OF the sentinels along the
most irequented route TO her Indian posses
sons, and she looks with jealous eye on any
thing that shall menace its safety or even di-
minsh its Importance.
Such result may accrue from the approach
ing war between Spain and Morocco. Tarifa
a fortress on the Spanish shore of the Straits
has no great Importance white the other shore
is free; but should the Moorish town of Tan
giers come into possession Of Spain, the two
fortified points would acquire together an i'm
portance which separate they never can obtain
Besides this, the town of Gibraltar derives
now the greater part of the supplies for its
population from the Moorish mart of Tangiers
The movement of Spain against Morocco car
ries with it the probable conquest and occupa-
ton of the Moorish coast and while this would
diminish the value of Gibraltar in some de-
gree, it also adds to the necessity
Of greater watchfulness in its defence. The
growing naval power Of Spain, in possession Of
the two ports of Tarifa and Tangiers, would
constitute amoral power over the commerce Of
the Strait of Gibraltar that could be welded
with great effect in the diplomatic complica-
tions Of Europe.
Whether this be the sole reason that animates
Louis Napoleon to spur Spain on against Mo
rocco or not, it is Of itself sufficient one to
awaken the commercial constituencies Of Eng
land. She has done all she could to prevent
the breaking out Of the war. At one time it
was thought that she had arranged the dispute
satisfactorily, and induced the new Emperor of
the Moors to render satisfaction to Spain; and
the British Ministers have evinced no little feel
ing at their disappointment. On former occa-
sions her jealous watchfulncss has also been
aroused When Louis Philippe sent French
feet to lombard Mogador and Tangiers, she
was equally ofiicious, and long before that had
protested against the occupation of Algiers by
France. The conquests of the French have
been carried close up to the eastern bounda-
ries Of Morocco, and the historic conflict of
Europe against Northern Africa seems now des-
tined to another renewal. That conflict has
always had an important effect on the affairs of
Europe. From the conquest of Carthage old
Rome went to subdue Spain. From the subju-
cation Of Italy Hannibal was recalled to en-
counter Scipio. From Spain the Vandas
poured over Northern Africa, and their power
played no unimportant part in urging the
Gotbs upon Italy. Belisarius gathered his
greenest laurels on the same scene, aud went
from there to deliver Rome. When the Turks
were driven back from the gates of Vienna the
Saracens poured from Africa over SPAIN and
shook the kingdoms of Western Europe.
Charles V. followed their retreating footsteps
into Morocco, from whence he was recalled to
look after the safety Of his German and Italian
empire.
In all these surgings of the tide of conquest,
and particularly those since the Christian era,
element. Catholic Rome encountered the
Arianism Of the vandals, and Catholic Spain
fought the Moslem. In these wars the chivalry
of all Southern Europe was enlisted, and in
renewing it now Louis Napoleon has touched
chord that will vibrate strongly in bigotted
Spain, and perhaps awaken new enthusiasm
in the ultramontane party in France and Italy.
At all events it will weaken, lift does not divert
the attack that party is now making on him.
Already it has diverted Spain from its contem-
plated proffer of an army to the Pope, and is
leading England to consent to come into
general Congress of the European Powers for
the settlement of the Italian question. The
Pope, thus deprived Of support from Spain,
with Austria held at bay, and the ultramontane
party in France turned towards semi-religious
crusade, will be forced to admit the wishes of
the italian people and modify the temporal
tyranny of his government.
Thus, the Spanish war against the Moors may
awaken many old springs of political action in
Europe, and create some new ones out of the
new relations that have grown up with COM
merce. But even if it should be limited to the
simple pitting of Spain against Morocco, and
the awakening of the jealousy of England, it
brings new complications and new questions
into the diplomatic contest that is now going
on in Europe. OF this contest Louis Napoleon
is thus far the master spirit, the Pope the
Sphinx and the ultramontanist the Quixotic
knight.
PROGRESS OF SABBATH REFoRM-GREAT Sue
CESS OF THE SABBATARIANs.-The Sabbatarians
are accomplishing wonderful moral and Chris
tian reforms, among which may be reckoned
the exhibition of obscene pictures in public SO
true to nature that in no particular do they
differ from life. They have achieved another