The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-09

The spectacle that Europe presents now to the
American observer Ii exceedingly interesting
and the reflections to which II gives rise in the
American m'pd naturally offer from those of the
European as the view pcint differs aod the reia'
tive values Of things and men stand forth in dt
minished or Increased proportions.
few months since we saw three of the
States of Europe plung'ng ioto war
which seemed destined to involve al the
others Suddenly the Emperors Of the two
great military monarcbies meet aud are
closeted in uninterrupted conference for eight
hours, ard the world ia startled when they come
forth from the cabinet ut villafapcs with the
announcemen that Louis Nspoleon and Francis
Joseph bad made peace with each other What
are the terms of that peace is known only to
those two men What reasons ,mpeiied them to
make it, they, too, only know. Ore says it was
because the war was about to assume gigantic
ortions, ard the other that be made peace
because Austria had not received from her allies
the help she expected. What really passed
in that long, secret conference. no one but the
two Emperors yet knows. It was observed when
they came forth that both wore silent and 3d.
lemn air; that Louis NApoIeons eye was more
cold than ever, while the face of Francis Joseph
had more than it's usual pallid hue.
Contemplating the conference at villafrancs.
ard the events that led to it, from this side of the
Atlantic, the veil that shrouded it from the i'm
mediate observers seems lifted, aud We can zee
what 1t was that made the Emperors pale aud so
suddenly stopped the war in Italy. As they ga.
there, those two alone, contemplating the mighty
events in which they were the actors, that con-
spirit of revolution-rose before them In all its
bloody and terrific aspect, and oversbadowea
each and all Of their schemes. On going into the
war Louis Napoleon had appealed to the dssatis
fed nationaliies Of Italy. They responded to his
call as if by magic, and to an extent of which
even he, perhaps, little dreamed. Piedmont was
reused at once to a Juror of patriotism; LON
hardy blazed with the fires of revolution; Tus
caDy, Parma and Modena drove forth their
rulers; the Roman States were on the verge Of
rebellion; the throne Of Naples trembled; from
every city, town, village and hamlet Italy poured
forth her volunteers to drive out the sbirri
of Austrian deapotism Cavour aud the
National Committee proclaimed Louis Napoleon
as the saviour of Italy; Garibaldi and his fiery
legion took service under him; Kossuth, Klapka
and many other popular leaders reused them.
selves at bis call.
Louis Napoleon had broken the hardened sur
face that smothered the lava fires of revolution
beneath, and he saw that the torrent was about
to brock forth, probably to consume every throne
in Europe. So, too, with Austria. Francis
Joseph already felt the soil Of Hungary tremb-
ling beneath the feet of his armed legions. Ga
icia was discontinued, the Croats and Bohemi-
ans desired change, and nearly every portion of
bis motley empire felt the shock of the revolu.
tionary idea. As the two Emperors contem-
plated this state of things they saw to what it
was tending. Louis Napoleon felt that in let
ting revolution loose he himself was becoming
its play thing, and creature in the hands of Ca
vour, Garibaldi, Kossuth, and the other leaders
CT the people. Francis Joseph cav that instead
Of GROWING with triumph the obsolete ideas OF
the Middle Ages he was plunging them Into
the revolutionary abyss, there to sink forever.
1t was to the verge of this abyss that
Louis Napoleon conducted the young EN-.
peror, and together they contemplated the ter.
rife spectre which lowered over its unseen
and darksome depths. Drawing back from the
fearful sight, they clasped hands, the peace of
Villafranca was made, and the two Emperors
went forth with blanched cheeks to announce it
to the world.
1t is this vision which still haunts every Court
in Europe, and fills them all with dread. The
ruling classes well know the fierce popular fires
that dwell beneath their feet, and tremble at the
slightest prospect Of their breaking forth Hence
the fears Of the stability Of peace, and of the
coming Congress at Zurich. Hence the diplo
matte assurances from Court to Court. Hence
the soothing royal words, and specious palaver-
ings of the classsupported journalism Of
Europe. The spirit of revolution that has been
reused to such an unexpected degree in Italy
must not only be prevented from spreading, but
it must be allayed there. The crowned kings
are willing to make any sacrifice to each other
so that they shall not have to bow down before
the sovereign people. Here, then, is the crisis
that now attends on Europe.
But the dissatisfied nationalities must not be
cheated now. Louis Napoleon claims to be the
man who, with the Napoleonic ideas, can bridge
the revolutionary abyss, and conduct both peo-
pies and kings in safety across to the great
highway of future progress He, the engineer,
must not draw back from the verge, and fail in
his promises The people of Europe look for
greater freedom. 1t is not in Italy aud Austria
alone that this longing exists. 1t beats in every
pulsation of the German heart; France burns for
the unshackliug Of her intellect; England clam
OTIS for popular representation; Spain is demo-
cratic volcano from the pillars Of Hercules TO the
Pyrenees. In all Europe the only government
that yet shows that it really compreheuds the
spirit of the epoch is Russia Alexander H. has
defied the mobiles, and unsbackled the serfs. He