The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-27

which suits their own interests. II will, how
ever, be as useless for them to attempt to place
limit to its movements rs 1t was for Europe to
oppose a barrier to the ideas generated by the
first French revolution.
The unaccomplished work of that great re-
formatory effort will be advanced some stages
by the present war. The struggle is, as we
have stated, not against Austrian oppression
merely, but against the reactionary tendencies Of
which it is the result A similar degree of Sc
verify exercised by monarch like the French
Emperor who derives his authority from the
people, and who glories in the fact, would not
excite 1.-THE Of the odium. Why is thiss
Because the House Of Hapsburg true to the
traditions Of its race and, like the Bourbons
incapable Of profting by the lessons of expert,
ence, treats its subjects with a haughtiness and
insolence which is continually aggravating old
and arousing fresh resentments. We believe,
however, that there is good deal of exagger-
alton in the statements made as to the grinding
character Of the Austrian system of government
in Lombardy. Apart from the necessities of its
military precautions, 1t will probably be found
that it has done more to develope the resources
of that noble province than the French or per-
haps any other European system than that of
England would have DONE 1t u.s. therefore,
more by the tone and manner than by the actual
rigor of its measures that it has kept alive such
an intense spirit Of disafection in Its Italian pos
sessions. This unconciliatory habit was well de-
scribed by the admission of an Austrian diplo-
matist, "N6tre gourrnement NEST pas severe mails IL
est desoJfigeant"
The Austrian government is one Of the few
despotisms which still persists in Ignoring the
existence of its people. 1t rules by itself,
through itself and for ITSELF Its egotism consti-
tutes living danger to every government
which is dependent upon the nice adjustment of
the continental equilibrium for protection. An
enemy to reform in every shape, whether reli-
gous social political it is continually evoking
the slumberipg elements of revolution and
endangering the peace Of Europe by the irri-
tatiDg character Of its repressive measures. The
war against Austria is therefore essentially
war of progress, the stationary tendencies and
narrow political dogmas Of the Middle Ages
representing the actual condition of that Power;
whilst in Louis Napoleon, holding his authority
direct from the people and proclaiming the
rights of oppressed nationalites, we have, if not
the most perfect representative at least the most
efficient one that can be found of the progressive
impulse which has seized hold of the European
mind. In religion there is an antagonism of
principles as important and almost Us pressing
depending for decision on the fate of the present
contest. Francis Joseph is an enemy to all the
reforms which can give the Pontifcate strength,
whilst Louis Napoleon belongs to that more en-
lightened section of the Catholic church which
would gladly limit the temporal attributes of the
Pope, and deprive him of the power of bringing
odium upon its institutions by the imbecility of
his civil administration. The aid which
Austria has received from the converts for
the prosecution of the war is eignif.
cant evidence Of her retrogressive tendencies in
religious matters. The price that will have to
be paid for this assistance will be severer restric-
tons upon popular rights and upon liberty of
driving the French ont of Italy, it is no stretch
of the Imagination to anticipate that the ecclesi-
astica abuses which have reduced the peo-
pie Of the Roman States and Naples to their
present miserable condition will be aggravated
tenfold.
Whatever, therefore, may be the conclusions
formed as to Louis Napoleon's motives in prose
cutting this war, every friend of humanity is
bound to give bin his good wishes. The Empe-
tor may care less for the liberties of Italy, less
for reforms in the Roman church, than for the
extension of his own interests; but what of
that? In pushing the one he is forwarding the
other. In unfurling the flag of italian indepen-
dence he gives to the world pledges to falsify
which would he to bring about his own ruin. But,
be be true or false, the work upon which he is
engaged will survive long after he ia laid in the
tomb. 1t is not Of his conception or origination,
and can neither be arrested nor destroyed by his
faithlessness He is, in fact, only an instrument
of that great scheme Of political regeneration
which had it's birth in the French revolution, its
baptism in '4s, and its solemn confirmation in
his own appeal to the oppressed nationalities of
Europe. May he fulfil conscientiously the mis-
sion which be has undertaken, and render his
memory as respected as his abilities are appre-
ciated. To the world his disinterestedness is,
after all, but of little moment. The principles
which he has stamped with the authority of his
name are hencefortA inevitable axioms in Euro
pean policy, and whoever may be the instrument
selected to enforce them they can never again
be ignored by Kings or Congresses.
The STREET JoBs-THE SPECTATORS AND
CORRUPT OFFICAIS.-The universal corruption
OF the politicians of all parties in this citypoi-
tlclans OF Tammany, Of the black republican
faction and of the Know Nothings for they are all
alike-has brought the government to depth
n dnnr oHafI nxryhs ~ II II