The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-07-03
The Danish 0uestson.

INC 0uesthom.
The Conference held in London to settle, II
possible, the vexing questions between Den
mark and Germany had not. at latest dates,
effected aught save continuation Of the armis-
tice The Prussian journals lay stress upon
the fact that Prussia agreed to the prolonga-
ton Of the armistice merely to crafty neutral
Powers, and state that this is the last conces-
sion Prussia can or will make. In fact, the
tone Of the German papers is such as to cause
fears that peace Is not likely to be made. The
German Powers insist on the separation of both
the duchies from Denmark and the formation Of
new, independent State, under the rule of the
Duke OF Augustenburg. The neutral Powers
propose the cesslon Of part Of Sohleswig and
all of HolsteIn. 1t is asserted, however, that
France is in favor Of allowing the people OF
Sch.eswig to determine what their destiny
shall be; but Prussia and Austria are averse
to any such course. With all these conflicting
views to conciliate, the task or the Conference
is an arduous one--all the more 80 as the Danes
are reused to state Of fury and advocate
war to the last
In England the feeling In favor Of Denmark
Is growing stronger, and, should change OF
ministry take place, there can be but little
doubt that great effort would be made to In
duce Napoleon to join England in maintaining
Denmark against united Germany. What the
success Of such move would be remains
shrouded in doubt. 1t Is asserted that France
refused to cooperate with England In making
a naval demonstration in German waters, and,
from the tone Of the semi-official organs Of the
French government, it may be concluded that
"perfide Albion" Will be left to fight il out
unaided If she draws the sword for Denmark.
Lord Palmerston, who would most likely give
way to popular sentiment on this Danish ques-
ton, and protect the weaker party ct ell
hazards, has bis hands tied, it is alleged by the
determined opposition Of the Queen, whose
prejudices are all in favor Of Germany. The
English people, with whom the Queen is now
less popular, feel that the honor OF England
demands bold course in aid Of Denmark; and
this feeling is strengthened by the increasing
attachment Of the masses to the young and
beautiful Princess Of Wales, the future Queen
Of Great Britain. Urged on by popular will,
and held back by his sovereign, the Premier Is
In most psrplexing dilemma. Hence the rumor
Of change Of ministry, it being supposed
that such change would inaugurate q war
policy.
The Emperors Of Russia, Austria and the
King Of Prussia were to meet at Kissingen for
the purpose, according to popular impression,
OF settling in some manner the Polish and
Danish questions The London papers, in
mo hat
European questions are 80 linked with one
another that undue pressure In one instance
may cause trouble In other directions. This is
q menace as regards Poland, Hungary aud
Italy. 1t is feared, probably, in England, that
the imperial and royal meeting BODIES no good
to the Danish question. To resume the posi-
ton Of affairs In Europe as at our latest dates,
war were very great with every appearance
tUut rryIuuu wUuIu navo ~ aid Dennark, OF
stand confessedly before the world as shorn OF
power and influence The attitude Of France
was strictly neutral, Austria aud Prussia seem
ing DESTROYS OF war, with every. show on the
part Of Russia Of desire to side With her Ger
man partners In the usurpation of Poland. 1t
may thus readily be understood that the re-
sumption Of the Danish war menaces the peace
Of Europe, as all the great Powers are likely
to be drawn into the quarrel.
THE GOLD BnL.-The mischievous and silly
Gold bill has been repealed after an existence
Of just ten days 1t became q law on the goth
ultimo. No more severe commentary could be
made on the character Of our national legisla-
ton than the simple statement of the history Of
tiis BILL In that history we see dcliberative
body convicted by its own acknow Judgment OF
the most reckless meddling with affairs that it
did not understand, and that it would not take
the trouble TO study. We SEQ collection OF
men-gathered proniscuously from lawyers
Offices farms and sbops-deranging the COM
MERGE Of the country, merely because some
one has told them that their fiat was more pow
erful than the laws that commerce lives by
just as some fool told Canute that his
command was superior to the law Of
nature that compelled the tide to rise
Such events a. this humiliate Congress and
the country In the eyes Of all civilized men,
Legislators always were and always will be
sufficiently foolish and disposed to do too
much. Some wholesome restraint upon this
tendency OF lawmakers is absolutely necessa-
ry, and the best restraint is that Of modesty
Englishmen are not proverbially modest; but
the system Of the Euglish Parliament il excel
lent in this respect. BY that system 1t Is as
sumed that man does not become possessed
OF the whole range Of human knowledge the
moment that he becomes member Of Parlis-
ment On the contrary II Is assumed that
be has no knowledge at ali, or very little.
As consequences OF this assumption \ 10 tho
custom, when new law on any important sub
jecs is proposed, for Parliament to appoint .
commission to get knowledge on tho subject