The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-19
WASHINGTON CITY.
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1860.
ENGLISH STATESMEN AND THE FRENCH AND
AUSTRIAN uMBROGLIO.

Lord Malmesbury aud Mr. Disraeli have properly
comprehended the pending disagreements between
Austria and France. AS the case now stands, the
British public are suthoritatively advised that the
withdrawal of the French aud Austrian troops from
Italy will be a solution of the problem. We have a
right to infer from this statement Of the case that
Lord Cowboys mission to Vienna has been ordained
with a distinct view 20 the accomplishment Of this
end. The Pope has signiied to both governments
that he no longer requires their military aid and it
is announced that the Emperors Francis Joseph and
Napoleon have notified the London cabinet Of their
Willingness 20 comply with the wishes of his Hoi
ness in this respect But it is said by the French
journals that the withdrawal of the forces of the two
powers win be no solution after all Of the difficulty
and this brings up the question whether the British
government fully comprehends the motives Of the
imperial rulers of France aud Austria We appre-
bend that Lord bfalmesbury and his associates know
just what they are about. They comprehend at all
events, the weight Of metal opposed to war and
that they are foremost amongst the engineers charged
with the contingent employment of that metal, no
one acquainted with the power of England over the
political interests Of the continent will for a moment
question. There are peace interests as well as war
interests on the other side of the water. There is a
balance of power acting upon hostile or threatening
parties of formidable weight, which is yet to be
consulted before Europe is embelished by the
glitter of bayonets and "the pomp and circum-
stance OF war;" 1t is idle to talk about the indie
pendent judgment of the great governments of
the continent they are so leagued together for
purposes of common preservation, SO bound up by
laws and penalties, that one or two States dare
risk the condemnation of the others. The only
government on tho continent which may be said to
occupy an independent attitude is Russia. Her pol
icy has been aggressive, but she has preserved her
self from gripping alliances in the West, while she
has directed her energies to a wider and more impe-
rial control in the East. Russia exercises a power
full influence over the affairs Of the continent, but it
ia not clear how the continent exercises any consid-
cradle influence over Russia. In the present con-
troversy the Gar has ~prudently reserved his opin-
ions; but they are unquestionably opposed to war,
which, should it come, will be sure to result in the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of his people, if in nothing else than
tho prostration and paralyses of the belligerent
States.
All the great powers are h~ampered with debt,
duu III thlb II lc WOflu u bllOuS HudIduttt y Il
peace. The weight Of pecuniary obligations upon
them is 80 great as to create a necessity for preserv-
ing and maintaining a species of bankrupt equili-
brium. Let France and Austria, for instance, engage
in a protracted war, and their treasures and credit
win have been exhausted, and their governments
soon be placed at the mercy Of the more circumspect
and cautious powers whose resources have been in
the meanwhile husbanded. These considerations,
amongst others, lead us to the conclusion that the
Emperors Napoleon and Francis Joseph are man
Guvring for a position, but with no purpose of put
ting their influence to hazard by engaging in a strug-
gle which can serve no other purpose than to let
them down from their present lofty elevations to be
beggars and mendicants amongst the more sagacious
aud prudent potentates of Europe. Lord Malmes-
bury and Mr.. Disraeli know very well that the with
drawal of French and Austrian troops from Italy
will be a solution of the problem. 1t may take time
10 effect this end, and engender irritating discussions
sufficient to keep the stock market in q state Of profit
able vibration between the bulls and bears.
The question, of course, whether peace is to be
preserved by the great powers, is one which in the
nature of things excites a large share of public in
quiry and interest in this country. We cannot be
fuuihclcut 10 TIC WeIaTe Oh Ine human family
wherever they may be, and by whomsoever govern
ed. We regard the present system of government
on the continent as an overriding necessity, impos-
ing heavy penalties upon the people in consequence
of their ignorance and inability to govern themselves.
They have not yet risen high enough in the ascend
ing scale of life to command an intelligent view of
their own resources and rights. They have suf.
fered ambitious men to be their rulers because
the maintenance of order is a demand superior 20 all
other considerations necessity which must be
submitted to even at the sacrifice Of millions of hu.
man beings. As much as we would depreoate such
a sacrifice at this moment, we have a ri hit to the
reflection that the American people will be able TO
assess and collect taxes of the belligerent States.
When Europe shall go to war, to be successful, all
we have to do is to go to work. Every man drawn
from the field Of production must be supplied by us
We shall become the producers for Austria and
France. A loan negotiated by Napoleon and Fran
els Joseph is money borrowed for the benefit of our
agriculture. War in Europe is peace and prosperi-
ty in Americ" As abolutistic governments are shat
tered by struggles amongst themselves, the free gov
eminent of this continent will become frmer set upon
it's foundations, and its fruits bear a wider and more
general endorsement.
But we shall have no war in Europe. Such a con-
~tingency is improbable. 1t would be more fatal to
.r,cts,x l..-.;o. A. NJ 49, -. n Al