Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-05-24
Correspondence OF the New York Tribune-l
HE Breaking up OF Austria.

The rotten state of Austria has been sud-
denly made more plain than ever by the sui
eide of Baron Bruck. the renowned Minister
of Finance, VINO, in order TO escape the dis
grace of being imprisoned on charge OF
fraud, cut his throat and opened the veins of
his wrists. thus expiating his swindies by vol
untary death. L, is difficult to realize the
Consideration produced by this tragic event
in the society of Vienna, aud the excitement
of the population. EXtTavagant rCmOrs are
afiOat about the sums embeZZled by the Min
isleT; aud the official journals, which were
expected to hush up an event which throws
a stain upon all the Austrian Administration,
were the most eager to proclaim that the
first servant of Francis Joseph's throne had
destroyed himself at the moment when, by
his unexpected dismissal, he saw that he could
not escape a trial for fraud. The military
party especially, ashamed Of the long series
OF defeats during the last war, now endeavor
to direct public indignation against the civil
ians, and the Emperor seems not to feel that
he is shaking his own authority 10y letting it
be known that the man who has possessed his
entire confidence ever since he assembled the
throne was common swindler. Within
mouth, the manager of the Credit Mobilier
has been thrown into prison; Director OF
the National QmperiaD Bank has shot him
self: and the Minister of Finance has cut his
throat.
Who, under such circumstances, will be
bold enough to assume the responsibility of
conducting the money affairs of Austria will
out The disgrace of u bankruptcy? Mr.. PIE
ner, who is now at the head of the empty
treasury, has already declared that he is una
bic to bring order into the financial confusion
of the empire. The failure of the two last
loans, the fraudulent issue of State bonds
and the arrest of four of the richest bankers
who stood in business relations witB all TIE
great capitalists OF the continent, making
every appeal to the exchanges of Europe I'M
avdilable. 4 forced loan might easily drive
Hungary into rebellion. and even the decla-
ration OF bankruptcy could not fill the treas
ury, since it would disturb the money mar
ket to an extent of which the military advi-
sers of Francis Joseph have no idea. What
il, them the future of Austria TO be?
In Hungary, the imperial orders are al
ready disregarded. The Professionals hold
their meetings without needing the protest of
the political authorities, and even the arrest
of the leading men fails to frighten the null
titude. On the 10th of April, about Z, 900
Protestants assembled in the church OF De-
breezin, and, deGying the threats of the i'm
perial officials, transacted business as if
Count Thun had never issued his notorious
decree for the organization of the Protestant
churches. On the following day, the Calvin
list Bishop Balogh was arrested and carried
to GrOsswardeln Tor having taken the chair
in this illegal meeting. When he arrived at
the county prison, he was received by the
Roman Catholic students and inhabitants of
the town, who were all dressed in mourning,
with enthusiastic cheers. Confinement in
prison has already become distinction in
Hungary. Martyrdom is sought, and the
religious movement is taking a political
color.
The result of such state of things on the
foreign relations of Austria is plainly visi-
BILE. England. which until last year sup
ported Austria as the natural counterpoise
of France on the continent, has gwen her up
lost. and without waiting to see how the
great empire will break up, is concentrating
her policy upon Strengthening Prussia, which
seems destined to absorb the greatest portion
of Germany in the interest OF the European
balance CT power. But Francis Joseph does
not seem TO see the breakers ahead. Sup
ported by the small States of Germany, con-
hding in the principles of divine right,
standing by Jesuts and the COncordat as
the only aIIidote against democracy, he
continues TO worry Prussia at Frankfort
though at the same time he is trying, by his
uacle, the King OF SaXony, once more to in
duce the Prince Regent tn follow the bane-
ful lead OF the Vienna Cabinet. Thus the
field is prepared for coming events.