Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-03-22
The Aspect of Affairs In Europe.

0~-OE~'
we live ID an age fruitful in movement, agitation
passion and rivalry. While the people of America are
aroused and kept in commotion by the omnous hostility
to slavery on the part of the New England States the
nations of Europe appear to be gradually but certainly
progressing toward another great war. The new trea
ties OF alliance between Russia and Austria profess to
set at rest all matters in dispute between the two DOW
ers in relation 20 Servia and the Danuban provinces
with guarantee on the part of Russia that Austria
shall be protected against instructions in Hungary and
Venetla but two elements of danger are omitted in
the settlement of this programme the character of Franz
Joseph, and the arreaching designs of the French En-
peror. The Emperor of Austria has become sot and
Vouptuary and to the hands of this incompetent ruler
are entrusted the OF authority over those two VOL
canoes of revolutionary fire, Hum gary and Venetia
They are kept down only by strong force of armed
men, and eneta threatens every moment to burst from
the thradom to which she consigned by the treaty
between France and Austria The course which Ma
poeOn will pursue is question as mysterious as any
that be imagined Whether the present accumula-
ton of force the Mincio and the Po by Austria is
in accordance with the views of the French court ex
tremey doubtful and the general aspect of the Italian
question is far from pacific The Paris and continental
correspondents OF the English journals are almost with
out exception, persuaded of the approach Ct another
conflict.
The probable result of such war upon the plains of
Southern Europe will be to free the Revolutionary ee
ment wholly from its chains rivet them so strongly
that all future attempts at nsurrection will be fruess
The immense heritage of hatred in the hearts of the
Hungarian and Italian people, is almost beyond the
realization of Americans They have been ground to
the earth by series of oppressions which the dark
ages would be explored in vain to find parallel and
the result OF this horrible despotism has been bitter
ness of soul which will lead its possessors to plunge
upon the instant into any scheme of revolt which promi
SEES vengeance upon their oppressors. The authority of
the young Austrian vouptuary rests upon the surface
so to speak, of burning lava which at any moment may
break through, and hurl him to destruction Nothing
but the strong arm of power in the shape of the bayon
and sabre, preserves tranquility in the Austrian pro-
vlnces-and should England or France appear in the
complication, and divert the forces of Austria from their
police duty in Hungary and Venetia, the event will
probably prove the signal of general revolt of the de-
Tendencies of the Empire which will change the face of
Europe.
England has heretofore managed to preserve her posi-
ton OF neutrality nlthe affairs of the Continent without
furnishing cause of quarrel to either of the great rivals
Franz Joseph or Napoleon. This policy has exhibited
Tar reaching sagacty on the part of the ministers who
have directed the affairs of that government from the
commencement of the last conflict on the plains of Sar
DINA, to the present tme and Great Britain undoubed
y pursued the only policy which was safe under the cir
cumstances In any future war she may again occupy
tne attitude of an umpire, she did in the former con-
test and may be able to keep herself free from entang
ment such be the case, it is to be hoped for the
name and fame, that she will assert the great principles
of human freedom energeticaly than she did on the
conclusion of the last Italian treaty