The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-05

1
eliminating point, the Times and one or two
other London journals, could not be prevented
from snaIling at their imperial ally. 1t is a ne
cessity of free press that it should have
grievances or injuries Of some kind to ventilate,
and it is not improbable that the hostility thus
maniiested bad its origin in personal motives,
which it would not be convenient for the jour.
nails In question to publish to the world.
The Treaty Of VnIsfranca--IIear First, and
| Judge Afterwards.
| 1t is philosophical maxim that when abuse
and vituperation have done their worst, as vic.
lent reaction is sure to set in. The treaty Of
Viilafranca is just now the objec! of almost uni
versal condemnation; in another month we ex.
pcct to see 1t as extravagantly lauded as it is
now hercely assailed. The absurdity Of deciding
thus adversely on the merits of an arrangement,
the motives and details of which are as yet but
imperfectly known, will by that time become 80
manifest that we are prepared for the exhibition
OF any amount Of inconsistency on the part of
those who are now 30 unmeasured in their cen.
| sure Of it.
Whatever may be the notifications embraced
the French Emperor's views of the bases agreed
upon with Francis Joseph, and however much
they may tend to console the disappointment
experienced by the Italians at the abrupt close
OF the war, there are feelings Of irritation exist
| ing in other quarters over which, we fear, they
| will exert but little influence. Our let
orJso
ton manifested against Austria for out
whiting Prussia in the late arrangement
as being very great, whilst in Vienna the indig-
nation expressed against the selfish and calculat-
ing policy of the Berlin Cabinet is equally Bit
ter. The Austrians, however, are not just in
this, for they should remember that the course
which the Prince Regent has pursued is precise
y analogous to that which Count Buol adopted
towards Prussia in the Crimean war. It is, in
fact, nothing more than was to be expected from
the rival positions which these two Powers occu-
Ply towards each other in reference to the Ger
man Confederation, and the conduct of Prussia
during the recent complications has, it is now
generally admitted, given the death blew to the
federal pact.
In France the violence of the resentment
everywhere expressed towards the Prusdau 90.
vernment is pregnant with danger. The advance
OF an army towards the Rhine after the bettle of
SoIferino ia ;'-~.s -AsordnS .p +ho IA zach III TIE
light of menace. InesInuch % it had the effect
of arresting the Emperor in O. career of brilliant
triumphs and rendering incomplete the objects
for which the campaign was undertaken,
this demonstrate Of Prussia can neither
be forgotten nor forgiven. Thus the
latter Power has managed to create for herself
plentiful crop Of difficulties, aad to make enemies
all round. 1t remains to be seen whether the
endorsements which they will occasion her
may not by.and-by place her in the same posi-
ton Of humiliation which Austria occupies 1t
seems to be always the destiny of German diplo-
macy to have the intricate meshes which it
weavss with go much patient ingenuity severed
abruptly by the sword.
Putting aside the substantial motives which
exist on the part Of some Of the nations interest
ed for quarrelliny with the treaty Of villafranca
it surprises us to find the Italian and English
journals, and a section Of the American press,
condemning it unqualiGedly, without knowing
anything Of the general principles which are to
govern the arrangement. The bases anncanced
In Louis Napoleons despatch to his consort, and
in the orders Of the day Of the two Empcro7s are,
We contend, capable of such notifications and
explanations as VIII almost entirely alter their
character. 1t is true that Austria is
allowed to retain Venice; that was
the one stern necessity which Louis Napoleon
10
choose between that and the terrible alternative
Of general war, and he wisely preferred course
which assured the independence of twenty-four
millions Of Italians to risking the advantages
that be had gained for them by persevering in
! vain attempt to secure the independence of the
remaining three. In renouncing the determine
ton, however, to rescue Venice from the domi-
nation Of Austria, he has not abandoned it to
hopeless destiny. BY making it member of
the Italian Confederation he places it in yery
different position from that wbici. j. previously
occupied We have yet TO learn what are the
precise atipulatious which have been made with
regard to its future administration it is
to have government purely national, and
whether Austrian troops are to be excluded from
its territory. Even supposing that these con-
cessions have not been extorted, it is evident
that Austria will have to make an entire change
in her policy in regard to this remnant Of
her Italian possessions. II she wishes to
keep it abe can no longer hope to govern
it by a system Of terrorism, and it may
be that the liberal ideas with which Francis
Joseph is said to have been recently inocculated
may render their future condition not only salts.
factory to the Yenetians themselves, but even
superior in many respects, to that of the consti-
tutional States
Its objected that the treaty restores to the
Duchies the princes who have rendered themselves
such ready tools Of Austria, and who fed to her
protection as soon as the war broke out. II this
complaint were well founded 1t would, we own,
l be with US strong ground for Tho nondorna t;or