The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-03-19


room.
BY the arrival at New York, of the Steamer
City Of Washington, we are placed in possession
of four days later intelligence from Europe The
question relative to peace or war still perplexed
public opinion, the pacific rumors of one day be-
ing counter-balanced by warlike reports on the
next While, therefore, those who have imme-
date access to the best sources of information,
fail to arrive at any defnive conclusion with re-
gard to the possible adjustment of the questions
at issue, by diplomacy, it is manifesily impossi-
BILE for journalists on this side of the Atlantic to
speak with any degree of confidence, as to what
the final issue of the quarrel will be- The gene
raj drift of the Continental news favors the belief
that war is imminent; while in England there
appears to be a strong hope that the mission of
Lord CowLEY to Vienna will lead to pacific solu-
ton of existing embarrassments. Since the Papal
Government has formally requested Aus
tria and France to withdraw their garri-
sons from the States of the Church,
there would appear to be no difficulty in settling
amicably one of the chief points in controversy
Indeed the French Government has intlmated Its
eager desire to retire its troops from Rome, on
condition that Austria will also recall her garr-
sons at the same time; and the latter 1t is said
will acquiesce in this proposal, it might, at first
glance be imagined that whatever other obstacles
vet remained to be removed, they were within the
ordinary scope of diplomatic arrangement. But
while Lord MALMEsBURY and Mr.. DIsRAELI are en-
pressing their hopes that the mission of Lord Cow
LEY to Vienna will prove successful in averting
conflict between the Continental Powers, prepa-
rations for great war still continue to be made,
and the sem-official organ of the French Govern
ment announces to the world that the evacuation
of the Roman States is not the only serious ques-
ton that has to be settled between France and Aus
tra before friendly relations can be restored be-
tween the two countries. We are, therefore, led to
infer that the other questions refer TO the oc-
cupation of the Italian Duchies by the Aus
trian troops. This supposition is the more
probable, inasmuch a careful perusal of Count
CAvoUR's recent speech before the Sandman
Chambers will show, that while he expressly de-
clares that Sardinia will respect the Italian depen
denotes of Austria, which have been guaranteed tC
her by treaty stipulations he studiousy avoids al
allusion to the virtual protectorate which she ha
long exercised over Parma, Modena and Tuscany
and the right which she has claimed, or whic
she has been permitted to assume, of marching he
troops into those principalites upon the slightes
indication of popular disafection. 1t is charge
also upon Austria that she has not only PERSISTENT
refused either to counsel, or to sanction by he
consent any movement whatever which locke
towards the Inauguration of more enlightene
policy on the part of the respective Government
of the Italian States; but that it has been throug
her influence, that the Liberal Constitutions whic
were conceded to the popular demand durin
the Revolution of 1948 were subsequently, ar
nulled. If, then, France and Sardini
have determined that Austria shall henceforwar
exert no controlling influence whatever owe
the nominally independent States of Italy, an
that the popular expression shall be permitted t
have free vent without let or hindrance from an
other Power than the local government tn
gravity of the quarrel, irrespective of the diff
culties arising out of the occupation Of the Roma
States may be readily understood. Nor could tn
neutral Powers raise any serious objections to til
course pursued by France and Sardinia so long 9
thelatter declare themselves willing respect the
ritorial rights of Austria in Lombardy and Venic,
Outsiue vi luose liiltts, tue authority sHe Nlclt
may well be regarded as dangerous to the liberti
of the Italian people, and affords some color
justification to Sardinia in the steps which she h
taken to puta check upon this unwarrantable spil
of domination on the part of q powerful al
not over scrupulous neighbor. 1t is
legged that LOUIS NAPOLEON, in supporting the
mands of Sardinia is prompted by selfish view
and that his desire is not much for the liberat
ofItaly as to protect himselffrom Italian vengean
Those who imagine that no higher motive tn
personal fear actuates the French Emperor, in
efforts in behalf of the Italian cause, do Unjust
alike to his acknowledged sagacity and his I
doubted personal courage. 1t is but reasonable
believe that he has some natural sympathy for
race from which he originally sprung, and that
remembrance of the active part which he took
the Italian revolution of 1881, and of the dis
trous consequences which followed that ill-cons
cred outbreak, MAY have stimulated him TO use
power with which he is vested to relieve
former compatriots from that oppressive r.
against which they have so frequently yet
vainly rebeled. That Austria will not be s
tanned by the neutral Powers in the exercise
any authority outside of her Lombardo-Veneti
dependencies, is becoming daily more a
more evident, she even hope
enlist the Germanic Confederation in support
her cause, if she persists in claiming prero!
tives which she can show warrant for asst
ing. Upon this question, Prussia is in accC
with England, and by the action of Prussia ma
of the minor principalites of Germany will
doubtedly be governed. To whom, them is A
tria to look for countenance and material aid
the event of her refusing to entertain the propt
tons which Lord CowLEY has been doubtless
structed to make? She has alenated Russia
her course on the Turkish question, and if she
jects the overtures now made to her by Engla
she will have to fight her battles single hand
On the other hand, if she yields to the demand
France and Sardinia, she descends from her p
ton as the first Catholic Power in Europe, and
leaving Naples and the Italian Duches, WI
policy she has been accustomed to shape, to
tect themselves as best they may, she weakens
own hold upon her Lombardo-V depend
cies while she strengthens, to the same extent,
power of the Italian people, who are even
patiently awaiting the opportunity for asser
their independence. 1t remains TO be seen wi
i