The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-29
Our Prusaian Correspondence.


The Terms Of Peace-A Congress of European
Poners- Wa Ha'y Submit9- Prussian Dip'o
The Rhenish Proo,nces--T The Ne'cs-on
The Stock Exchange Rise in Stocks-Fourth Of
July Celebration at Bremen, &c. &c.
In spite of the prolific symptoms that had be-
come apparent for some days previous to
which had occasion to advert in my last two re-
ports-the announcement of real, bona tide arms
tice, came upon rs with all the suddenness Of a
coup de ih6dtre. That Louis Napoleon should stop
short in his career of victory after achieving
such splendid and uninterrupted successes;
that he should relinquish favorable an
opportunity Of giving new proofs of that
military genius which has been revealed
by this campaign, perhaps no less ito his own
surprise than to that of the world in general; and
that he should accept, nay even propose, cessa-
ton of hostilities at moment when he had just
passed the formidable barrier OF the Mincio with
out encountering an enemy, when the most colos-
sal preparations were being made for the attack
of the famous quadrangle, when his fleets were in
readiness to commence operations in the Adriatic,
when Hungary was on the brink of insurrec ton,
and the army of Austria, broken and dsprited
was unable to strike another blow in defence of
her Italian empire-seemed pitch Of moderation,
of self abnegaton almost for which neither friends
nor foes gave the French monarch credit. 1t
was quite evident too, that this armistice
would not turn out to be mere truce, but that it
was the first and decisive step to treaty of peace.
Louis Napoleon is q believer in dates, and it was
Immediately noticed that the day selected for the ex
piration Of the armistice was the 18th August The
I'd December, the anniversary of Austerlitz, was
chosen for the coup dftat and the proclamation of
the second Empire; the 18th June, the anniversary
Of Waterloo for the first assault of Sebastopol,
which replaced the memory of British victory by
that of a British defeat; the 9Th September, the
| anniversary of the battle Of Moscow for the
final and successful attack upon the Russian
stronghold; and the 3lst March, the anniversary
Of the first peace of Paris for the conclusion
of a second as honorable to France as the former
| was disastrous and humiliating Nothing could be
more in accordance with these precedents than to
expect that the 18th Of August the birthday of the
| elder Napoleon, would witness another act of pa
| cication at the expense of the Power whose de-
fiction brought the final catastrophe that chain
ed him to the rock uf St. Helena. Az TO the con
ditions that would be imposed upon, or submitted
to- by Austria, the most conflicting opinions
expressed 1t was predicted by many that very
little consideration would be shown by Louis
Napoleon for the interests of Italy; that satisfied
with having stripped Austria of her military prestige
and political influence, he would leave her terri
toral possessions intact; that Sardinia would be
disappointed in her views of aggrandisement, and
derive no other benefit from the war; in which the
blood of her sons had been so freely lavshed than
barren laures and an impoverished treasury; that
Tuscany, Parma and Modena would revert to their
former masters who, for decency sake, might have to
xl.uAxt
authority of the Pope would be reinstated ia its
full vigor. On the other hand, it was urged that
whatever opinion might be entertained of the
French Emperors character, he had given
too unequivocal proofs Of sagacity and foresight
TO imagine him capable of conduct SO perfdious
towards the people whose cause he had es-
poused, and SO pregnant of danger to himself In
This case, it was said treachery on his part would
be worse than a crime it would be fault. Not
| only would it sink his reputation to the lowest
| depths of intamy, but it would sting the whole
Italian nation to madness and excite repetition
| of those attempts upon his person which twice
already have nearly proved fatal to him. Even if he
! obtained the cesson Of Lombardy for Sardinia and
| left Venice in the hands of Francis Joseph,
| or one of his brothers., he would give. the
campaign, and by which he promised to deliver all
italy from the shores of the Mediterranean to those
Of the Adriatic from the yoke of Austria. On the
faith of this manifesto the Italians had risen from
end of the peninsula to the other, had saluted
him as their hberator, and had assisted with their
! lives and purses in the overthrow of the common
enemy-and with less than this they could never
be satisfied.
All these speculations, however, were set at nest
by the telegrapbic dispatches that arrived last
night via Paris, and this morning via Vienna,
announcing that the preliminaries of peace
had been agreed upon at meeting be
tween the two Emperors in vlafranca, and
by which it appears that Lombardy is to be coded
TO Sardinia that Austria is to retain the kingdom
of Venetia, and that all Italy is to form federatve
union, ON the model of that very respectable and
highly efficient corporation, the Germanic Bund
and under the Presidency of his Holiness the Pope
The dreams Of M. de la Guerronieee are to become
reality, and the successor of St Potter, e Servant
of the Servants of God" is to take the chair in
Congress of Kings 1t is not mentioned what is to
he done with the lesser Italian Princpalities, or
whether the fOrtresses of the Mincio are be in
cluded in the dominions of Austria Of Sardinia;
possibly these points, well as the other details con-
nected with the organization of the new cOnfede-
racy, will be regulated at Conference OF the
European Powers which may meet at Paris or
elsewhere to arrange final settlement on the
basis laid down by Louis Napoleon. That peace
concluded on these premises is far from realizing
the hopes of absolute and entire independence held
out to the Italians by the French Autocrat is self
evident; it remains to be seen whether they will
accept it as first nstalment, or whether they will
continue s the struggle single handed and calling the
the world that their liberties not to be tried
with by despot
If am not mistaken, the Prussian government
were as UuCH III Tue udrk hS 10 lne neBOUutlOuS
that were going on between France and Austria,
and were taken as much aback by the conclusion
of the armstice, the public at large. The OIL
cal organs indeed, make feeble effort to persuade
themselves and others that the pacific aspect Of
affairs is the result OF Prussan mediation; but this
is a mere illuson, as there can be no doubt
that Louis Napoleon and Francis Joseph
acted entirely on their own hook, and with
out the interference Of any third Power, except,
perhaps, Russia If the mobilization of the Prussian
army had any effect, it can only have been Of a
negative character, for Napoleon must have been
aware thai mouth or six weeks wonld elapse be-
fore il was ready for action, and Francis Joseph
had Just been notified that Prince Windischgrat5,
whose arrival here on special mission have al
ready Informed you of. had failed in last desperate
attempt to Obtain the immediate co. operation of
Prussia The fact is that the government of thfs |
country have no partcu,sr reason to congratulate
themselves upon the ,fncese of their diplomacy; |