White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-05-31
Europe-Its Destiny.

Europe, ten years nence IL the most IN
teresting problem which can engage the
attention of the thinker, the statesman or
the philosopher. 1t presents, at present,
the most remarkable phenomena, inter-
national and political ever recorded in the
annals of history. At the time of the
coup dstat of Napoleon the Ill. the ma
tional landmarks were well defined and
distinctly drawn. throughout the whole
Continent. Certain great first class pow
ers, France. Russia. England and perhaps
Austria and Prussia, held unlimited sway,
each however, being kept within its own
proper sphere by the controlling influence
of the others. Thus no one Of these great
powers could absorb the smaller, distinct
nationalities which existed around it
without the concurrence Of its co-equals.
Almost from the moment that Napoleon
the III. assumed the reigns Of government
in France, Europe presented a different
geographical and political aspect. Scarce
ly had be consolidated the powers,
and converted the Republic into one
man deSpotism. by a master-stroks as
signal as that of his Uncle, when the
whole continent was in blaze of war.
The Crimea campaign is too fresh to re-
capitulate. Its result served to place be-
fore the world in living colors, the Rep
resentative man of the nineteenth century.
A few years interviewed and Napoleon
again appears upon the martial theatre,
lighting the same enemy, and reddening,
with French and Austrian blood, the
same fields which his great ancestor had
made historically immortal by the cam
paigns of 1896 and 1897. Since then he
has been the wonder of the age; a ruler
who keeps his own council an enigma
which none can read. That be has some
great ultimate object in view, which he
wisely conceals from the public gaze none
can deny; yet what that object is
no one can predict. The crisis is howev-
er. near ct hand when this mystery will
be unrsveled, the enigma explained, and
Napoleon the III. stand before the world
without disguise.
Italy which has hitherto been the cause
and the theatre of one half of all the wars
in Europe since the time of the first Ce-
sar, must soon put on some new ma
tional dress. The Pope. at present sus-
tanned by leading strings of different and
far distant powers is fast losing his TEN.
portal power, and in a brief season his
mantle must descend upon other shout
ders. Whose they will be. the future
alone eau reveal
Austria which for two hundred years
has encountered successfully every for.
midable power on the Continent is upon
the verge Of disruption which will shake
the civilized world. The Emperor Fran
els Joseph. sitting upon a sickly and
tottering throne is fast losing control
over his unwilling and remote subjects
and from the signs of the times We may
reasonably expect, at no distant day. to
hear that Hungary and Poland, and all
of his other dependencies have run up
the standard of liberty. 1t needs but a
leader, and when revolutions are at hand
leaders can always be found. A Kosci-
usko or John Sobieski, will spring from
the mass of the people. Austria proper,
will then, from past disagreement and
present impotence crumble to pieces, and
prove an easy prey to powerful and am
bilious neighbors. What problem for
the human mind What is to become
of these dismembered Empires, embra-
cling the most fertile portion of Europe,
and millions Of brave men? 1t remains
for England. for France, for Russia to
say. England polite and wise for her
own safety, trusting to her naval bull
warks and solid strength, sits on her sea-
grit isle, and watches with argus eyes
every move made upon the great chess
board, by the French despot or the Mos.
covian sutocrat. Not one step can be
made towards English domain without
creating a panic which would stir the
blood of the whole Anglo Saxon race.
and raise the war-cry from London to
India.
i France closer to the scene Of future ac-
ton remains good humored, but silent.
Nothing short of the Delphic oracles
could divine the movements of her pru-
dent and lip-closed warrior. The world
knows full well, however, that he viii
not lose by the game. whether the play
be fair or foul. The stakes are up. and
if be cannot win no other player shall
Russia, meanwhile from her icy home,
with sll of her ancient sel6shness and
ambition, is looking with intense anxiety
upon the plains of the sunny South
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