The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-23
The Ferment In Europe-vyhere viii the
Coming Storm Strike!

Coming Storm Strike!
The condition of things 10 Europe, according
to the detailed accounts received 10y the steamer
Africa, and given in full in our news columns,
show even a more unsettled state than was ex-
hibited in the Geographic summary few days
since.
1t is evident that the welfare Of the three hun
dr. d millions of people that inhabit civilized
Europe, with all their hopes and aspirations,
their hates and likings, are the mere playtbings
OF three or four princely families. who, ignorant
that the spirit Of the age is vastly changed from
what it was during the renascent and the Middle
die Ages, hope to establish dynastes after the
manner of Charlemagne and Henry the Fourth
of France In Germany we have the Coburgs,
backed by marriages innumerable; in France,
the Bonapartes; and Victor Emmanuel in Sar-
dinia-each striving for this object and really
opposed to each other. Then come the old dy-
nasties, clinging to existing treaties and hoping
to hold their own; while beneath all roll the
countless hopes of the millions pinioned TO the
earth with three millions of bayonets. The
Coburgs seek preeminence through intermar-
rage while Bonaparte and the house OF savoy
ound their hopes upon flattering the hopes OF
| the masses.
A crisis is approaching for these contending
ambitions, and each hopes to save itself from
destruction by making the coming struggle one
of nation against nation, and not one Of the ma
tions against the thrones. The scene of the
present excitement is Italy. There the Bona
parte hopes to realize the dream of the first
Napoleon the Austrian clings to his long loved
despotism; Victor Emmanuel looks for the
throne Of united Italy; and the people long for
freedom and the humiliation of kingcrafs. On
all sides it is admitted that the position England
may take will decide the international conflict
But on this point the Queens speech, the de-
bates in Parliament, and the language of the
press are most indefinite. 1t seems as if at this
moment she were endeavoring to induce France
and Sardinia to abandon their designs on the
Italian possessions of Austria, and to persuade
this Power to unite with Louis Napoleon in en-
forcing reform in the Papal States and Naples.
But these despots are all well aware that the
popular desire for reform knows not safety with
partial measures that not only will it not stop
with receiving them, but that the people may
come through them into possession of the power
Of demanding more. Their policy looks for sue
cess and permanence from repression and not
from concession.
In this condition of things the concession by
Austria of partial reforms in Italy is as dan.
gerous as the fattery Of the Bonapartes to
the popular hopes; and there is no evidence
to warrant the belief that England can force
either Austria or France to abandon the policy
upon which their several hopes are founded
She must stimulate the popular desire on the
Continent by discussing the question of liberal
reform at home; and Louis Napoleon is con-
WINGED that he must fall the moment that he
ceases to play the courtier to the liberal idea
The progress of the age is mining in thousand
ways every throne in Europe. The spirit Of Ii
berty was sent abroad by France during her first
republic, and it is still contending for the mas
terry. 1t has now fought for nearly three-quarters
of century, and may triumph in one year, or it
may require many more failures before it sue
ceeds. The revolution of Luther, which was in
fact political one took two centuries before it
became established that of Henry VIII. lasted
tor more than century in England, and only
triumphed by the establishment Of the House of
Hanover. The same elements are now at work
in Europe, and will eventually overthrow the Co.
burgs, Bonapartes, Austria and Savoy alike.
Where the next popular eruption will break out
no one can tell, for all partake Of the same fer
ment 1t will not be where princes most look for
it, but it will come from some unexpected quar-
ter. and at time when they think themselves,
like Louis Philippe, most firm in the saddle.