Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-02-22
European Politics.


European Politics.
Notwitlstandug the absorbing aud terrible interest
with which we are compelled to view the condition Of
af.irs in this country it is impossible to overlook the
unsettled and ouinous aspect Of European politics. 10
another column will be found the substance Of the in,e
snce brought by the las, steamer embracing the
sp eches Of the two principal poteatates Of Europc,
which puTpor TO give a OF their relations with
each other aud vi;h other leading Governments. Il is
hardly necessary % say that this statement is altogether
formal and superficial and that in spite of the pleasant
assurances the speeches give there too much reason to
fear st events are rapidly fastening on which viii in
yo'ye the civilized world in the serious results.
Movements everywhere seem 70 indicate great and
rapid changes in tie political condition Of the human
family. The Asiatic continent with its Wild nomadic
tribes Of the North ard its Old decsying civilizations Of
the South rapidly being su5ordnated to the energetic
aud youthful rt OF Europe In Europe itself We
witness additional Implications and new causes Of com
motion every step Wolfe the sflirs Of Italy are as
vet unchanged and he Of the patriots sill hun
der against the for1esses Of Gaea the time rapidly ap
prOaches when the Italian hero Garibald, will again
arm for freedom and strike a new blow At his Old
enemies OF Austria This time however, It seems pro-
babe that he will transfer the field Of his exploits from
his loved Italy the banks Of the Danube and that he
will the treby guarded province Of veneta from the
tyrant, the plains Of Hungary. Mad such project
nav be- n il by far feasible than his descent
on Sicily with handful Of volunteers would indeed seem
that destiny opening the road for the success of this
generous snd brave The Emperor OF Austria after
having made many apparent concessions to the spirit Of
the aze aud the discontent5 Of Hungary it would now
appear has again reapsed into the Old despOtc and
ditona policy Of his fathers. His present policy it az
pears rely upon the strength OF his army and h a.
mos, impregnabe gorrcsses instead Of the a crons Of
his e1ts This fact if true goes far to decide his fate
IS vain for Austria proper to attempt to step
the tide Of battle agars al Italy and revoed Hunga-
~ at the same time Gigantic her efforts woali be- in
death struggle, they would but end III her more com
pete ruin aud overthrow. Doubtless the Gcrmsnic States
would be strongly tempted to come tie rescue OF Aus
tria in such an emergency. Such IN event, however
would render the cause Of Austria still, weaker for il Is
possible for France to Idle aud pera German bay
Onets TO oestabsh Austrian supremacy France, Italy
and Hungary would psovo more thla match for the er
tire Gcrmanic COufederiCy.
There is however sill, another element ia the threat
eaed struggle The Schsvig. Bolsteiu question again
on the taps The King Of Denmark has FOR years been
playing the game TO some extent with Holseir,
which Austria has PLAYED With Hungary. The people Of
Hol,sein are largely German and the King Of Denmark
has earnestly struggled make Daaes Of them spite
Of themselves, and thus consolidate bis kingdom This
effort is strongly resented by the Hoseiuers and geu-
orally reprobated by al Germans In fact the Hols-en
question ia one that arouses national sympathy with
universally Only second TO that Of the possession Of tie
Rhine The appeals Of HOs,ein come backed by the
sympathles OF both race ard hnguage-appess rsrey
iisregsrdsd BY Germans. Tho King Of Denmark has
s'reaay exhibited strong feelings this subject and
assumed a threatening aspect Denmark, on the other
hand preparing for the worst, aud armug to maintain
her position. II this question should therefore,
into the present complications European war, more
general than WAS, perhaps, before Witnessed will
probably be the result The fires Of battle would blaze
round the whole globe England and Russia would almost
certainly be dragged in The main line Of battle would
rlrge from Copenhagen TO tsc plains OF Syria. France
would unhestatugy divide Turkey with Russ, 70 secure
her alliance in the event Of Ecnds taking par; against
her Tne forces would then stand arrayed as follow
On ore side ErgalJ Austria Prussia, the smaller Ger
man States and possibly SPAN aud Sweden; the other
sid. would be Fiarcc all I.ay, Hungary Denmark anu
Russia.
such a conflict would be terrible but not doubtful .
tAc Fren,h alliance would be Triumphant; Austria would
be fisremberej Turkey would lie -nuilia,ed Itals
and Hungary would be restored liberty and IN epcr
dspce and France would sUe ou; 10 her long coveted
bol-da-v Of the Rhine, and Russia The Bo-Ihoru'.
TIE oalv pover which could have restored tle ,glii-
brum In such cosac, was the Uai,ci States. To ills
alliance England has 70, dy boxed or tie last FIVE wears
WAea e grand test Of supremacy between the FrcGch
aed English power should finally come she trusted the
rowess Of her son jonathan t.e. But unfortunate
IL there are two cues Ia the way Of such ALI nee
In the sls plce Jonathan has interest in the 80 be
aqee o. power 10 Europe" and has deep sympa by
with the ,eral cause Of Hungary and Italy. 10 the sec
ond place his o1u family affairs put into such dsOr
der-and in good measure by the sgitatons aii,d by
hs beloved motbor-that be has little more than be
bsrgained for at home.
Upon the whole, we think that for the first time ia
Ten years there zeal danger OF general European
II the liberal movements age permitted 60 forward in
Hungary and I,sly, uatramellcd by outside powers it
NAV be avoided But the thai this is refjsed
the long LIST Of combinations made by Louis Napoleon f1r
wears past will be developed. He is now for the st
tine not afraid Of European war. lit must come, or
MS purposes be thwar,ed be viii accept H. aud viii l,rCe
the bombay Of che Rhine as recOmpeuse for his loss
e.
We predict tha; We shall al need new maPs Of both
tls Eastern ard Western worlds ltiI.. I've years.
A Financial Chec n on Coercion.
Tae measures now pending at Washington locking en-
the one hand 10 enormous expenditures Ct mcney, and
o. the other TO the employment. Of tie most beggMy
sAi.s to keep the Government from stopping stock st,