Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-02-27
MORNING LEADER.
MONDAY MoRNINd, BE. "a, $50.
mo FaII Of ,I,e Austrian Rmpire.

The following remarkable passages occur in
late article IN the London Times;
II it be true that Jupiter is in the habit of
making men the author Of their own ruin
driving those mad whom he wishes to destroy
it is to be feared that Jupiter has some evil in
tentions respecting Francis Joseph Of Austria.
All the historical symptoms Of doomed dy-
nasty are now manifesting themselves in vi.
emma. No sovereign can afford 90 be at once
obstinate and weak Magenta and Sollerino
have Inflicted an indelibls disgrace apen tho
AIMS of Austria. These defeats have made
manifest to the world that, when compared
with France, Austria, ruled by the present EN-
peror, is about a second-rate Power. The pro-
station Of Au,tIi IN financial credit has made
public the fact that Austria is poor. Weak in
arms and poor in pocket as he is, Europe looks
anxiously to discover how this young Emper
or, who has so difficult part to play, demeans
himself in the crisis. History has her great
men, who have made their fame out of con.
juncture such as this.
It's moment when the general sense Of
danger woud have all owed single mind to break
down and to build up. Francis Joseph, for a
while, promised to rise equal to the occasion.
When be turned his horse from that square
tower upon the SOlferino hight, great super
stition must have been swept out of his head.
That force upon which he had taught to rely
with implicit confidence was broken, and he
could never again believe it to be invincible.-
UnhAppily, the conviction thus rudely pressed
upon him could not be kept secret. It was
shared by the whole world. Italy knows it,
aud Hungary knows it. 1t is known to his
interiors, and it is loudly celebrated by them;
it is known to his equals, and, while politely
France and Russia cam OF but look upon Fran
els Joseph as a struggling man, whose king
dom is in danger of passing away from him
Under these circumstances, the young En-
reror seem TO combine in himself ell the weak
nesses of our Charles /, and all the stupIdbigotV
of our James III. If there be anything which
could tide over this crisis in the fortunes Of
Austria, it would be the loyal and energetic as
sistance of Hungary. This was once not very
difficult to obtain. The Hungarians boast
themselves to be the most warlike nation in
Europe; they are addicted to arms; they were,
moreover, additionally loyal to the house of
Hapsburg, and quite ready to expend all their
enthusiasm 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 5ut
she is to a great extent Protestant Francis
Joseph is despOt and bigot,
Thus. instead of Hungary being the strength
of Austria, she has become her weakness and
her difficulty. Passive resistance and univer,
sal hatred reign silent together throughout the
land. All Hungarians are united in disaffectiOn
to the House OF HapsbuTgh. The Bishop of
/ nc,
the Calvanistic Synods to take advantage of any
opportunity for making demonstrations against
Austria and they subscribe their thousands of
pounds to a national Academy with this object
Count Zay, the leader of the old conservative
party, tells the Emperor that the restoration
of Austria he her ancient power is condition
al upon the restoration of free institutions to
Hungary. The people are all assuming, with
ostentation, the national oos tune; the Protest
ants are thrusting themselves forward for perse-
cution; Francis Joseph has succe eded, by his
obstinaey and bigotry, in aIenati Dg the affec
tions of people who only requi red fair treat
ment to be the prop Of his Empire, and ne has,
at the same time, by the exhibition Of his weak
ness, encouraged them to set his authority at
naught. M. u .i.7
Where will all this end! 1t is only to a cGr-
| tain point that convervative power can rely
upon other conservative powers to save it IN
its utmost need. 1t may be so far gone that
its neighbors may deem it hopeless, and find it
more costly to suppor. than dangerous when
broken up. Here is this empire, lately SO strong
and so powerful, brought to the brink of ruin.
Lombardy is rent away; Central Italy is gone;
even the faithful TyrOl Is disaffected; Venetia
is ardent for revolt; Hungary is awaiting only
the first occasion for armed resistance, and
Crotia and Servis are ready to join with her.
Yet, in the midst ofthis, stands Francis Joseph,
weighed down with the COncordat; his Comics
sor and Director instigating every act, Persever
ing, with the indOmitable stupidity of the HIPS
buTgs, in heaping up religious hatrcds upon
political disconIents, and laboriEg blindly until
some casual hand shall fire che pile