Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-05-04
THE STATE OF EUROPE.

THE STATE OF EUROPE.
The domination of the Austrian Govern
ment over the countries between the Ticino,
the Pc and the Adriatic, though recognized
as legal by the governments of Europe, and
having been successfully maintained for half
q century, has always been regarded by the
people as unjust and most repugnant. The
treaties of Vienna gave Austria dominion O.
yer so much of Italy as to enable her to sus-
tain every bad Italian Government, and pre-
clude any popular reforms in the Independent
States; and by the continued increase of pre-
ponderating power the Duchies of Parma, Mo-
dena, and Tuscany have been so subjected to
her that their governments are held on suffer-
ance, conditional upon military service TO her.
Count Cavour, the Sandman minister, in
cent address TO the British Government de-
clares this domination and extension to be a
serious injury to Piedmont. He is supported
by Louis Napoleon, and he demands that the
european Powers shall secure to Lombardy
and Yenetia national and separate govern
ment, destroy the domination of Austria in
the central States of Italy, and compel her to
evacuate the Romagna; invite the Dukes of
Parma and Modena TO give to their people in
stitutions like those of Sardinia, and the Duke
of Tuscany to re-establsh the constitution of
AS; and obtain from the Pope ssthe admins
trative separation of the provinces beyond the
APpenines,' as was promised in 1856. Aus
tria resists these demands. Her taxation, re-
cruiting, and violent police systems, admins
tered by Austrians who are all cordially hated
in Italy, and above all the petty tyranny and
cruelty of the officials, have become more and
more aggravated year after year, and the Ital-
ian people are ripesfor fearful struggle "a
gainSt any odds. Sardinia, though anxious
that her grievances should be settled by the
Intervention of the European Powers, and still
more desirous to secure the formal recognition
Of the justice of her demands by the British
Government, (if she fails in obtaining the in-
tervention,) with the assistance of France,
would accomplish more than the enforcement
of her demands. She is marshaling her troops
France is sending thither her auxiliary for
ces, and Austria is arraying and concentrating
her armies. We have no faith in the Peace
Congress that is to be held, and believe the
causes and preparations mentioned will result
in war by France and Sardinia against Aus
tria. We see not how England and Prussia
can stand aloef throughout the contest
France is evidently supported by Russia. The
smaller German Powers are hostile to Russia
and are very likely to side with Austria. The
popular feeling has recently been manifested
in that vein in several quarters. Should
France attempt to do more than aid the Sar-
dinians in driving the Austrian troops beyond
the Alps, the German Provinces would GER
tainly give her hard fight. Beside, England
is not likely to sustain France in defence of
policy which would seriously impair her su-
premacy in her own provinces. Hence, a gem
eaal European war is anticipated most
important and the most destructive, tho prob
ably the shortest, and in its final results the
most beneficial TO the cause of human freedom
that eyer.the world has witnessed.