Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-03-20
Tne seporteG Au.tro.lsussian Alliance.

The Reported Austro-lsusSian Alliance.
We want no other proof Of the Importance Of
the Italian question than what is now going on
in Europe. Some Of our cotemporaries, both
in this country and on the old continent, are
satisfied that new crisis is ut hand. 1t is not
so, however according to our judgment, II by
"crisis" ,hcy understand 10 dcnOuiinatc sltu-
alton Of affairs whose deaoueneat must br'ns
usain into the field the two principals in the
great due! Of last year What is, then, the i!n
portancc of that Italian question, so much
talked over that il seems at last 10 grow stale
and wearSomc? We would say that its i'm
porrance consists in the fact that it has ceased
| to be localized, and, notwithstanding its thrill
ing and peculiar interest as local question: II
has gained ground slowly, but surely, rs
point OF European interest. Not only WAS
England, r.cautious and reluctant, drawn INT?
! the game, ba, also distant and indifferent kns-
s;a and that, TOO, in tic most unexpected mSn.
ncr II, OH the beginning Of the quarrel, any
reasonable spcculations might have been III
drIred in. il would have becu that England
/ and Austria, on the one side, and France aud
! Russia on the other would be found together
at the last as well as At the first Stage Of the
! question.
We are called upon, however, to state, that
events have taken quite different course. The
: Lust propositions made 10 Austria and rejected
by her, were those Of England more than
q! France; aud behind the obstinate rctusa! o!
Austria; lnous Zip the figure oil Russia, on he"
wav 10 Vienna. with mere friendly countenance
Ii Goes l.v: follow, VIC dare say, that the
tlla: she has displayed for many years past
Austro Russian alliance is either an accom-
plshcd, ur even probable thing. Russia
knows better than to give up strong ally
for an cnreeLled one; but, If without swcrv-
ing from that new course OF policy which
originated with the accession 10 the throne OF
the Empcror Alexander II, She can derive
some benefit from the cmbarrassments OF Aus
tria, extend her Influence on the Danube, and
regain thercupon more than she lost On the
conclusion OF the treaty OF Paris i'll 1856; III
with tic consent and under the lead oi Aus
tria herself. she can resume that march towards
the East SO unplcaSantiy checked after the
crossing Of the Pcath, why should she not:
The policy Of Russia ,nuS; he Russian above
all. But all this she must DO hy Cunning proull'
ses, smiles and good words; for she will not
rive in return the substance Of what she cX-
poets to get In short, Austria :aust be amused
and taken in.
l. is apparent that the confidence Of Alex
ander II in Napoleon III is shaken, ana that
the friendly feelings which brought about, be.
tween tho two imperial majestIes, the celebrated
and somewhat mysterious interview at Stuttgard
arc daily fading away. But the basis Of the poll
cy of large empires is not founded Oh feelings;
national interests, and occasional necessities,
rule over personal ufinites. The consequences
OF the war il Crimea, and we reckon among
these the progress fthe abolition OF sertdom do
not leave Russia at liberty to enter a coalition
against France TO undergo safely the trans.
forming process, she needs more than
one year of undisturbed peace aud un'
discontinued efforts. Although the Russian
serfs are white men, yet the nianuHlisson
Of forty-fvc millions OF such people, ever be-
fore in bondage bears is dangers with itself.
The opposition manifested by some Of the high
est members among the BoyardS. and the n1bI'
Its, is reported as having caused an Intense
fermentation, which threatens insurrection In
Little Russia, where the 0rloft family have I'M
.rcnsc estates, the greatest excitement pre-
walls. and the blunt revolver has taken under
the rillow the place formerly devoted to lie
sword Of the nobleman. Troops are dispersed
through districts where formerly there were no
ca.riSuns. In case Of war, q great part OF the
military force would thus he parhlyZcd iIy
the necessity f,r maintaining tranquility at
home The facility with which tic army Is
recruited (inasInuch rs any man who once en-
t.rs the service Of the crown, bccoultS Tree
man and remains so forever attcr,) might ai!erI.
ate the evil but Russia, alter her defeat at
| Scbastopul, will never enter war again, we
presume unless she feels herself 10 nc in the
rlenitude OF her power and at liberty to Use all
| her means.
Il should seem, however, that if the fact ut
an alliance is precluded by the foregoing argu-
ncnts, n rapprocehment is not unlikely. A
muralst, specially addicted to illustrate the
dark side OF human nature, has sad: There
is something in the misfortune even Of friend,
by which we are pleased in some unaccontablc
manner. There is also in the success of our
friend, some point or other that makes us dis
nleased at it." So it happens, it seems, with
Kings and Emperor Napuean III, who Was
welcomed by Russia to the dangers of the M
dcrtaklng, is grudgcd the benefits inr'hco:E!Iu
! thcrciron.
In truth. the benefits would bo i,nlncnSr in
\ military point OF view. The annexation OF
Savoy TO France and the establishing on the
other side Of The Alps Of the Kingdom Of north
Iralv with some twelve millions OF inhabitants,
would inst he worth To France an army OF TWO
hundred thousand men, Gud that is the force
which would be required in an emergency &c
nrn;.ct the frontiers Of France on that side, II
ihos,. things we're to rclIiain ;S Geln.c the war.
. II unnra,s. on the contrary, that the aEncSl-
ton uf Savoy and the creation OF he king
dom Of North Italy will take place As
the treaty Of Eillafranca stands little IN
the way, the Duchy Of Tuscany will form
Il separate kingdom; but if that separate KING
dom is conferred by the vote OF the people 70
some prince of the family OF Victor Eh''nanuel.
| and if the said prince extends to Tuscany the
Law Of administration and government OF Sar-
! dinia, the treaty will have been respected in its
letter. No interference will have taken place
Pretended exertions will have been made hy the
government of France in behalf + the sclfeHicd
Dukes; but the will OF the populations defeat
ed them ulI, and 10 this the two Emperors must
bow, the one laughing in bis sleeve because ol
the good trick nc has played, the other biting
his nails because OF the practical joke he is
made to suffer.
1t is but justice to say that the good gcn''s
Of Italy has not iorsakcn her children in the pre-
sent iuncturr We have, perhaps, sometimes
misunderstood the Italians and charged them
with too much mpctuosity Of temper, sudden
ness and Inconsistency. When saving tt's 1t Is