The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-21
From the London Times, Feb. Q
THE COMING RUIN OF THE AUSTRIAN EN-
pIRE

If there be anything which could tide over the
crisis in the fortunes of Austria, it would be the
loyal and energetic assistance of Hungary. This
was once not very difficult to obtain. The Hunga-
rians boast themselves to be the most warike ma
tion in Europe; they are addicted to arms; they
were, moreover additionally loyal to the house of
Iapsburg, and quite ready to expend all their en-
thusiasm in the service of that exacting house. In
that nation Francis Joseph had a great source of
military power and the materials for many armies.
But his opportunity rested upon two conditions.
Hungary is warlike, but she is attached to free
institutions; she is loyal, but she is to great extent
Protestant. Francis Joseph is a despot and bgot
The difficulty is precisely that which beset our
James II. He, like Francis Joseph, had tn govern
a Protestant and free people, whose institutions
had been assaied and whose religious fears had
been aroused, and he ended by being sncered at by
shrewd priests simpeton who lost three king
doms TOR mass. Here, in our day, is an Imperial
pilgrim travelling in the same path. Hungary is as
much attached to her free institutions our fathers
were. Yet she has seen them all swept away, and
now lies writhng under a tyranny so heavy that it
is even an offence to ask to speak her language
in her own Universities. Hungary is also TO great
degree Protestant, and her Professionalism is of the
most turbulent and uncompromising character
That Calvanism with which tolerance is crime is
rife among the Hungarians, and now finds itself the
subject of persecution.
How has this young Emperor dealt with this vau-
able but difficult portion of his empire? He has in
effect said to it, once before said with fatal
issue, q" NV father chastised you with whips, but
will chastise you with scorpions" Instead of re-
storing the institutions which had been taken away,
Francis Joseph has made even petitions for such
restoration a crime. He has not only punished all
agitation for such an object but he has prescribed
all those who indicated any leaning toward libe-
raj policy for Hungary. Baron Hubner was dis
missed because he was favorable to Hungary; the
Archduke Maxmilian was exiled because he recon-
mended concessions to Hungary; and the Arch
duke Stephen has refused to accept the government
of that country because he recois from the Oppres
sion which his instructions would have compelled
him to infict. So as to their religion. He has
persecuted the Protestants till even the Roman
Catholic priests crv shame and sympathize with
their heretcal cOuntrymen, postpOning their bonds
of faith to ties Of blood. The letters which we
publish to-day from Pesh and Vienna tell that this
insane young man is going on to ruin with increas
ing rapdty at every step. A deputation from the
Protestants of Hungary has been sent to Vienna to
ask for the restoration of the historical rights and
the old State recognition of the Evangelical
Church of Hungary" to demand the revocation OF
the Patent which prascribes the Reformed reig gOn,
and to attempt to induce the Emperor to convOke
Protestant Synod. 1t appears that these men,
some of whom are OF the highest rank, have been
refused an audience by the Emperor, and have been
rudely scolded and sent away from Vienna by his
Ministers. They are gone back again to Hungary,
and as they recount the incidents of their stay in
Vienna, and repeat the words of insult ad-
dressed to them by NJ. de Rechberg they are arous-
ing far and wide that formidable religious zeal
in this country.
Thus, instead of Hungary being the strength of
Austria, she has become her weakness and her
great difficulty. Passive resistance and universal
hatred reign silent together throughout the land.
All Hungarians united in disaffection to the
House of Hapsburg. The Bishop of Erlau and his
inferior clergy are as anxious the Calvanistic
Synods to take advantage of any opportunity for
making demonstrations against Austria, and they
subscribe their thousands Of pounds to National
Academy with this object. Count Zay, the leader
of the old Conservative party, tells the Emperor
that the restoration of Austria to her ancient pow
er is conditional upon the restoration of free inst
tutions to Hungary. The people are all assuming,
with ostenaton, the national costume; the Protes-
ants are thrusting themselves forward for persecu-
ton; Francis Joseph has succeeded, by his obstiRa
ey and bigotry, in alternating the affections of
people who only required fair treatment to be the
by the exhibition OF his weakness encouraged them
to set his authority at naught. Where will all this
end? 1t is only to a certain point that Conserva-