The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-05-27
FRIDAY, MAY ~, 1885

had begun to gather its material for a history of
the great war before continental nations new much
about the capitulations of Alexandria or the bat
tie OF Trafalgar, or even Of the peninsula campaigns
The brilliant victories of the Austrians and Prus-
slams in 1899 remain entirely obscured by the splen-
dor OF Riv0li and MarengO, nor has Anspern left
much impression on those who remember every in
cident OF Nagram. This reputation of the French
army is no doubt Justly earned for it is at
once the tribute due to the valor and the
civilization of the people, and it would be of
little danger to Europe, did it not unfortunately
blind the French themselves to the difficulties of
war. From infancy the Frenchman is nourished in
ideas of the martial superiority of his race From
the histories given to the young national vanity
mas eliminated every passage which could tell tale
adverse to the national glory. The battles bv sea
and land with England are passed over almost
without notice, as it would be difficult to wrest
them into narrative gratifying to patriotic feel
ing, while the campaigns against the continental
monarchs, and especially Austria are related at a
length which leaves little room for ANYTHING done
in France prior to 1892 for the political events
which have happened since 1875
France, then. and her Emperor, enter upon the
war with confidence which NAV bring success
but which may possibly lead to eventual disaster
is not our business to be the prophet of evil to
either party, yet we may warn the chief who
speaks in so lofty tone ofhe victories of his pre-
decessor, that Europe is much changed from the
days when General could overrun a province in
few weeks, beat army after army and dictate
peace to his beaten foe. War is now on a more
SlSdHtlc scdle 10 take the offensive requires
larger calculations, more subtitle and reflective ge-
mus, greater resources and greater superiority
over the enemy than heretofore We have been
always among the first to acknowledge the high
qualities of the French soldiers. Some of
the Emperor's troops, such the "Guarde
hmperidle," and the "Zouares" are prob
aDly as fine troops as any in the world,
and he must be very bigoted reader of history
who will doubt the general superiority of the
French with their unity, their nationality, their
excellent organization, and their constitutional
quIckness and aertness to the motley armies which
a Hess or Gyulai command but we would wish
TO guard our countrymen, ever ready to be led away
py such documents the manifesto and ad-
dress OF Louis Napoleon, from speculating
on the speedy issue of the campaign. We
nave nave observed tendency, within the last
few days, to fancy that everything is over,
and that the war confined to narrow limits will be
decided by battle under the walls of Milan The
ereduity of the city and that of the west end are
IN these thing about on par. An excessive panic
one week Is balanced by excessive compacenv the
next. The intelligence, however, which reaches
US from Central Europe indicates a stubborness on
the part of Austria not likely to end in second
campo Formio, while the attitude of the other Ger
man an powers is such that either French victory or
French reversal might be the signal for an inter
terence in the quarrel. If the French Emperor
carries through his plans, obtains at once the neu
tralty OF Germany and the help of the Italian
people, wins victories in the fields such
army and captures, fortresses so easily as to
territy the Vennese Government which has de
pended on them, he will indeed add the laurels of
war to tae crown which commentaries his civic
trlumphs But, though we think his chances of sue
cess are fair and trustworthy, yet war is too dan
gerous a game to be commenced by a novice in the
styleto which the great Napoleon proved his right
by a constellation of victories.
In strong contrast to the lofty tone of the beipe
rent Emperor is the proclamation of Her Majesty,
our own Queen, declaring the neutrality Of the
British Empire. Although couched in the formal
language which has probably more than once done
duty on similar occasion, the proclamation speaks
In impressive accents to England and the world
1t says that this country is disposed to give no
help, either to the despotism which affects philan
thropy or that which takes its stand in cold egali
ty. All the three States which are engaged in the
war are, without doubt bringing misery on them
selves 0y their unscrupulous ambition or unreason-
ing obstinacy. France, even if presently victo-
rlous, must pay that penalty in increased burdens,
sricter military rule and the final destruction nj
every tendency which could lead her back to the
forms OF tree political life Austria can gain moth
ing, ana should she even retain what she now
holdS, 1t VIII be at cost of blood and treasure
which generation cannot replace.
As for Sardinia, the instrument of the one and
the intended victim of the other we can see clearly
only one thing-that the short-lived Constitution
which attracts the sympathies of Europe has now
passed away to be replaced by obsequious assem-
bhes after Bonapartst type. As for the freedom of
Italy, the protessed object of this crusade we can
afford to stand aloof and allow it to be accomplish
ed by other hands We have done our part in the
liberation of peoples. The fond ally which bleeds
for all, has too often bled in vain for Engshmen
to be enthusiastic in this matter. If the Italians can
be made happy we shall rejoice at it. and be
content to give to France all the glory of
the deed. In the meantime, the people of this
country will do as their Sovereign bids them and
keep out of contest begun in duplicity and yio-
Ienee and of which the end is hidden in darkness
In Paris, Turin Vienna our countrvmen will
ABSTAIN from anything which may be construed
ngh Nrpith fhplN
soldier shall be enlisted vessel fitted out in these
islands for the purposes of either and the blockade
esta6Ilshed by any one over the ports of another
will be respected. According to the rules of inter
national law, by strict adherence to this policy,
we shall be placed in position to look with calm
ness on the drama which is now on the point of
opening.
VIRGINIA STATE ELECTION
LNOTE.-The annual State election of Virginia
for Governor, Lieut.. Governor, Attorney General
and members of Congress took place Yesterday
The following are the returns received from the
various parts of the State, accessible to the tee-
graph, up to the hour of going to press-Re-
porter.
The vote is compared with the last Governors
election when Wise carried the State by 1912 ma
iority.
ALEXANDRIA, May 26.-The Wings have the fol-
lowing majorities in this city and county:
W. 5. Goggin, Wh1g for Governor, 252 MAORI
ty: loss of 16S votes
W. T. Wiley, Whg, for Lieutenant Governor,
Zo2 majority.
Walter Preston, Whig, for Attorney General,
PA majority.
Congress-7th District-Thomas, Whig, 36s ma
iority. -
There are two Democratic candidates in this Dis
trict-Smith and Shackleford. The latter's vote in
Alexandria is IS.
PETERSBURG, May 2G.-In this city Goggin for
Governor has 3OS majority, gain over the last
Governors vote of 369 The excitement is unpre-
cedented.
Large Goggin gains are also reported in all the
surrounding counties
HARPER's FERRY, May 26.-Botelers majority in
Winchester for Congress is said to be l49: at
Charlestown 63, from two precincts; Harper's Fer
ry ana Bolivar give him majority of 60. Faulk-
ner, democrat, the present member carried the Dis
trlct by 200 majority last election.
MARTINsBURG, May 2G.-Letcher, DEM. for Gov
ernor, has "a majority here. Faulkner, Dem, for
Congress, 63 majority.
Piedmont, May 26.-Letcher's majority here is
so. Faulkner for Congress has 85 majority.
PARKERsBURG, May 26.-Wood county gives the
whig or opposition ticket 246 mai. The American
ticket had 253 majority in 1855.
WASHINGTON, d. c., May 26.-Returns from the
following towns in Virginia have been received
here
staunton gives Goggn 100 maj, and Skinner
Dem, for Congress, 447 maj.
ScottsVille gives Goggin ITO maj, and Leake.
DEM, for Congress, 9Th District mai.
Charlottesville gives Goggin ll2 maj, and Leake
Dem, for Congress, 341 maj.
Lynchburg gives Goggin SCI majority.
Norfolk gives Goggin l20 majority, and Ports
mouth, gives him l40 majority.
Fredericksburg gives Goggin 81 majority
Henrlco-partial returns-gives Goggin 375 ma
jority.
Richmond gives Goggin AGO majority.
Christiansburg gives Goggin l23 majority
A second despatch from Fredericksburg saws
that Goggin and Letcher have tie vote, and that
Thomas, the opposition candidate for Congress,
has l3 majority over Smith, Dem, Shackelford
the Independent Democratic candidate has 20
votes.
HARPER's FERRY, May 26.-Jefferson county has
gone for Boteler by about 272 mai.
The vote for Harper's Ferry stands Governor
Letcher, Dem, 242; Goggin, Opposition, l45; Lit.
GovernOr-Montague, Dem, 246; Wiley, Opposi-
ton, l4l; Attorney General-Tucker, Dem, 26l:
Preston, Opposition, 127; Congress-Faulkner,
Dem, l6S, Boteer, Opposition, 2IS
WHEELING, May 26.-Goggin's maj in Ohio coun-
ty is about $50. Clemens, Dem, for Congress is l6O
ahead in this city. Two opposition candidates to
the Legislature are elected. The other one is in
doubt.
SECOND DESPATCH.
MARTINsBURG, May 26.-Berkeley county has gone
for Faulkner, Dem, for Congress, by about 90 mai
Letcher's vote not ascertained
CLARKsBURG, May 26.-Harri :on county COM
plete. Governor-Letcher 200 majority, gain of
over 100 votes. Congress-Jenkins, Dem, 250
majority; Hoffman, Opposition, and West, Dem,
are elected to the House of Delegates
RICHMOND May 26-Midnight.-The Opposition
candidates have made large gains, considerably di-
minishing the usual Democratic majority. Leake,
Dem, for Congress in the 9th District is certainly
elected over Powell Independent Dem. Floyd,