Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-02-21
THE EMPEROR FRANCIS JOSEPH.

A late London letter in the Tribune, gives
the following account of the Emperor Francis
Joseph and Austria =" When after the battle
of Sollerino, Napoleon gave at Villafranca
a respite to Francis Joseph, Austria had still
one precious chance for her salvation. Her
armies had been defeated, her finances were
ruined, Lombardy lost, and Hungary dsaf-
fected but liberal, straightforward policy
like that of Stein and Hardenberg in Prussia
after the fatal campaign of 1907, when the rich
inheritance of Frederic H. was diminished by
two thirds, might have achieved wonders. But
Francis Joseph threw this chance away. In
the first disappointment he indeed promised re-
forms; he dismissed Count Grunne from the
palace, and Baron Bach from the Ministry
he talked of economy, and Mr. Hubner, the
new minister, found it necessary to study the
demands and aspirations of the Hungarians.
A few weeks, however, were sufficient to set
all hopes of reform at naught. Admiral Baus-
cher, the late tutor of the Emperor, explained
to hun that concessions lead always to revOlu-
tons. Mr.. Hubner was soon dismissed, and
Count Grunne returned to one of the depend
encles of the palace into the Stallburg," as
chief equerry of the Emperor, and furnished
there an apartment for Miss Kate Reuz the
daughter OF the manager of an equestrian am
phitheater. The fair damsel had long before
attracted the attentions of the Emperor, and
| had even accompanied him to the Italian cam
pain, and ridden at his side at the fatal field
of SolterinO. But she had been discarded by
her Imperial lover during his short fit of re-
form. The Jesuits knew well how to make use
of any lever for attaining their ends, and thus
Count Grunne and Kate Reuz gained Francis
Joseph once more over to Despotism and TO the
Concordat. The orgies held in the Imperial
Stallburg have now completely demoralized
the Emperor, who since the last campaign has,
in the bargain, learned to get drunk every
day. Despised as man, despised as an EN-
peror, Francis Joseph is still blind to the dan
gers which surround him. By wanton dis
regard Of the political situation, he has man
aged to isolate Austria in Europe His rea-
tons with Russia are cold he quarres with
Prussia he is hostile to France, and England
forsakes him. Instead Of trying to conciate
the deeply disahected Hungarians, he has man
aged to rouse there the Protestants to a reli'
gIous enthusiasm, which now braves prOsecu-
ton, and seeks martyrdom. His decree for
the organization of the Protestant churches
was unanimously rejected by the Protestants
OF hungary; still he insists upon enforcing it,
and seems to be anxious 10 find new pretext
for publishing martial law and erecting glib
bets. Both the Lutherans and the Cavinists
having met, in defiance of the prohibition of
solved unanimously to try last step, and sent
a deputation to Vienna to lay their petition for
the restoration of their legal rights in the
hands Of the Emperor. The deputation had
an interview with Count Rechberg, the Presi.
dent OF the Council of Ministers, and with the
Archduke Rainer, the President of the Coun-
Gil of the Empire. Both received them well,
and stated that the question of their reception
by the Emperor would be decided at once.
TN the fDllQwinp 6aV a council hold nj
the palace, and minority proposed conces-
sons to hungary, and the repeal of the OBJ
noXlous decree for the organization of the Prot
estant churches; but the majority ,obsequious to
the well known views of the Emperor, decided
there is no reason to depart from the present
System Of policy" The Hungarian deputa-
ton was informed that it could not be received
| by the Emperor, as it was elected by illegal
meetings, held in contraventiOn of the orders
of government; but the Emperor has no OBJ
lection to see Baron Way, the Chairman, and
Baron Prona, as private persons. Upon this
the dcputation announced to Count Bechberg
that it had dissolved itself, and the two Barons
| respectfully declined the interview with their
| ungracious sovereign. Count Rechberg tax
Ell aback by this GOODNESS, became insolent
and vulgar, abused them in terms unbefitting
gentleman and advised them at once to re.
turn to Hungary, since the climate of Vienna
was unquestonaby unfavorable to their health
The deputation departed, disguised with the
exhibition of Count Rechbnrg's vulgarity
But the Emperor surpassed his Minister, for
when heard from him that Baron Vay and
Prona had declined to have the honor of an
interview, he exclaimed: "Tell these scoun-
drels there is plenty of room tor gibbets in
Hungary, and that ! am inclined to have some
raised for the benefit of these big-mouthed
fellows" The return of the deputation to
Hungary was greeted at Pesth with enthu-
siasln. Everybody now sees that the die is
cast and that the year 1860 must finally set at
rest the question of Hungary.