The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-05-26
MORNING, MAY 26, 1859.
THE WAR IN EUROPE

the 25th OF April. Lord John Russell thus
spoke rs to Engand's present relations
with foreign powers: There is question
which has alarmed some minds, but the
gravity of which has greatly increased with
in the last few days. mean the prospect
of Il war on the Continent. Now, we are
in a position which enables us to Judge
fairly and to act fairly among all these
parties; and the conclusion at Which ar
rive is, that the great powers that have
been concerned in this IDattcr-France and
Aus;ria-lavc both been very much in the
wrong. That there was a real grievance
that some settlement was required us to the
state of Italy, Which had for some wears
been occupied 10y foreign forces, no mtn
can deny. Bnt, in my opinion, instead Of
arming and then demanding q Congress,
and proposing, after large forces had been
collected, and after the young men of Italy
had been summoned to the standard of one
Of the contendny States, that the several
powers should disarm, the proper course
would have been TO have had Congress
and conferences in the fist place to have
had the subject fairly talked over and de.
liberated upon 10y the different powers Of
Europe and to have asccr,aincd what were
the grievances Of Italy, and whether her
complaints could not be peacefully consi.l
cred and peacefully re,lrcsscd. think, un-
til such efforts had failed, that armies ought
not to have been brought into the field. 1t
was hoped when, in 1856, our Minister was
ut the Paris Conference, that some i'm E.
provcment would lave taken place in the
mode which quarrcls Of this kind would in
future bc considered, and that, instead Of
rushing precipitately to arms, the different
powers, remembering their own response
bility, recolccting the evils :hat follow up
on war-tlIc fields that are devastated, the
families that arc reduced to poverty, the
blood that is shed, and ruin that often en-
sues to n whole country-woud agree TO
meet in the first instance TO consider the
views Of all the powers which were not
Immediately interested in the quarrel, and
that in this manner the evils Of war might
have been prevented. | am sorry to say
that, however, these powers appeared to
agree ut Paris in 1856, when there was
no question Of this kind Immediately before
them; in the present instance they have
not followed the course then suggested, and
that only n fortnight or three weeks ago, a
question was raised Of The meeting Of Con-
gress, after large armies had been colec-
ted. Gentlemen, it is very difficult to say
who is in the right in the quarrel to which
| am referring.
According to all the accounts that
we have received Austria has, however, de.
clarcd herself determined to strike the first
blow. III SO far, Austria is, undoubtedly,
in the wrong not to have exhausted every
means of procuring peace before she had
recourse to arms. But, unfortunately, al
though the cause of the Italian people
their wish to obtain good government, and
to exchange servitudc for frccdom-is wor.
thy of Al, appreciation, there have been
mixed with that cause views Of ambition
views Of territorial aggrandiscment on the
part of other powers Which would prevent
our giving our entire sympathy to those
who stand in their camp. cannot believe
myselftha there was any nccessity,as things
stood, for either France or Sardinia arming
to the extent they have done. Well, then,
if such be the case, what is the part which
we ought to pursue! The only opinion
that has been expressed upon that subject
has been given by, I must say. a very lish
.uthofity-the present First Lord of the
Treasury. l have here the words which lie
is reported to have used. They are words
Of great gravity and Importance. and it be-
hooves all the people Of the United King.
dom to ponder them when they arc choos
ing representatives for the new Parliament
On the 18th Of the present month, Lord
Derby is reported to have used these words
in the House of Lords:
England is deeply interested in the minnie
nance of peace. She is prepared to make
almost any sacrifice for that object, but in
the interest of peace she cannot assume
portion which would place her in help
less and defenceIess condition {; and If war
breaks out, whatever bo the consequence,
our neutrality, as long as it may last, must
to certain extent be an armed neutrality,
enabling us to take our part on that side,
whatever it may be, which the hor or, the
interests and the dignity OF the country
may indicate as best deserving our sup
port.
Now, must tell you low far agree and
how far disagree with this declaration of
the policy Of the Government. 1 entirely
acquiesce in the opinion that ENGLAND onob,