The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-05-17
EFFECT OF THE EUROPEAN WAR

| EFFECT OF THE EUROPEAN WAR
As the probability is that there will be general
war in Europe, the end of which no one can fore
TELL the papers are discussing the effect it will have
upon affairs in this country. The Petersburg Ex-
press says
But should Piedmont be the scene of war; as
seems inevitable just now, there are some consd-
eratiOns connected with the fact which very surely
concern ourselves, the people of the United States
1t Is at once the most healthfu and the most pro-
ductlve portion of Italy. 1t is the great corn and
wheat growing section, to which a large part of
Europe looks for its supplies of grain Now, if
this region is occupied by three immense armies
engaged in an active campaign there can be no
grain raised there during the current year. La
! bOrers will be wanting to tend the fields the whole
territory will be ravagcd, to the obstruction of the
growing crops, and even should the ordinary har-
vest be gathered, manifest impossibility the
whole yield would be demanded to maintain the
large bodies of fighting men after they had gone
into winter quarters. This state of things will of
course, have a decided effect upon the price of
wheat IN this country All the grain that we can
raise will be wanted to feed the mouths of Europe
and wheat may 90 up before the end of the sum
mcr to the high prices it commanded during the
year of the Irish famine The prospect is favor
able, we learn, for large yield this year. The
troubles of Europe, then, may be to our advantage
since it is scarcely possible thing that we can be
drawn into the contest War is a sad ordeal for
nations to pass through, and cannot but deplOre
! the folly by which it is brought about; but if two
imperial tyrants get each other by the ears, how
ever dreadful may be the havoc they will OCCASION
: 1t cannot be wrong in to speculate the proba
BILE benefits their reckless conduct may indirectly
confer upon ourselves, remote and neutral nation
! looking at the combat
! The Baltimore Exchange in long article upon
the subject thinks that, if war should occur
whilst the acquisitions upon us for supplies of
breadstuffs and provisions would be enormous and
inccssant, the advantages thus derived would be-
in large measure, countcrbalanced by the injur-
les inflicted upon other staples, and especially
upon that Of cotton Upon the whole, it admits
that war would generally be beneficial to our in
dustrial financial and commercial relations, but
doubts the prJprety of anticipating the march Of
events by entering upon spcculations that i'll their
reference to the future, do not admit of those
vague calculations of possible profit, by which such
ventures usually governed.
| The n. Y. Herald says:
THE question chiefly discussed among 1Ameri-
| can merchants was, to what effect the war
should it occur would have upon the interests Of
! the United States. 1t was thought that it would
benefit our shipping and carrying trade, and help
! brcadstuffs and provisions while cotton might to
some extent be injured by it. Naval stores have
already improved in anticipation Of the war; and
it may be remarked that saltpetre has naturally adj
vanccd from the same cause, and that large lots
are now held on speculation.
The opinion seemed to be that at first it might
affect American securities untavorably, but that
! should it become serious threaten Il wide extent
| IN its range, it would Immediately benefit thcm
because moncyed men in Europe, on feeling in
secure, would again do they did in the CONT
mental revolution of 1913 send large sums of
money to this country for investment in the better
class Of our bonds and stocks"
All the New York papers comment freely upon
the war news The Sun remarks:
| "AuStria has been too quick in showing her
hand. Her policy is to crush constitutional gov
eminent in Sardinia; and now she finds that it
can only be effected by war Now the value Of
French promises and English sympathy will be
tested. If Austria should instantly declare war
and march her troops the Sandman frontier,
she may gain important advantages before French
army can be concentrated in TIA y The die seems
to be and the war storm may soon rage with
terrific fury
The Journal of Commerce says:
eff Austria has taken the initiative in actual
hostlities, forestalling the French Government in
its contemplated action, she will, indeed, have
quired great material advantages, SO far refer
ence is had to prospective camIaign. Unaided
| by the French troops, which are at disadvantage
in comparison with those of Austria, as regards
their position relative to the field of action, Sar
dinia could hardly contend for single week with
! the overwhelming force which could be Immediate
| " brought against her. The humiliation OF dis
pcrson of the Sandman army, before France
could reach the field would be, in itself, saga
cious policy; and proceeding to quarter her troops
on the enemy, she would find herself not only i'll
Il defensive, and to certain extent self-sustaning
position, but with the great question of possession
which is said to be ''nine points of the law al
ready decided in her favor
AUsTRIAs STRENGTH.-From statistics which
reach us through a French channel, we find that
the military strength of Austria in time of peace Is
represented by 100000 men, and in time of war
| bv 750, 900 men. The Austrian Navy, which is
of very recent creation, is composed of l35 vessels
armed with $50 guns, and manned by S,707
seamen.
\ bill has passed the California Legislature Gas
late news from that State inform u.s. to divide that
State and form Territory out of the lower
counties to be called Colorado
! R7% Eighteen respectable citizens Of Enterprise,
Miss, have published an advertisement offering