New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-03-31
EERENGE-


posed Conference. Whether the Germanic
Confederation will also accept it is not yet
known; but if Austria, Prussia, Denmark, and
all the other Powers Of Europe, are agreed, it is
not likely that the plan of Conference will be
abandoned, even if the German Confederation
should persist in refusing its cooperation. IN the
meanwhile the war is to go on, as it did in the
Crnnea.
Those Conferences Of the European Powers
not only those that have been actually held, but
also those that have been merely projected or
proposed-are steadily growing in Importance
and interest. They are faithful mirror Of the
principles which govern European society,
rejecting accurately the degree of Gberality
which the princes find themselves compelled to
profess.
The first and greatest of the Conferences upon
the decision of which the present political sys-
tom of Europe rests that of Vienna, was guild
ed only by the principle of an equal dstribu-
ton of political power between the great States
of Europe-the famous theory Of the I" Balance
of Power" At that stage of European politics,
Liberalism and Democracy were only noticed to
be denounced and put down. The aspirations
of natonalties were either abhorred a. destruc-
tive, or laughed at as impracticable theories.
International controversies were 10 DO settled
by the letter Of treaties, no matter how wicked
their origin. The masses of the people OF Eu-
rope frequently revolted against these doctrines,
and sometimes successfully; but, on the whole,
they remained the political rule of faith, until
the revelations of IS48 forced belief, If not IN
the legitimacy, at least in the power of tho lib
eral movements among the people, upon the
most incredulous of the European diplomatists.
A new principle was introduced into the
councils of European diplomacy by Louis Ma
poleon. His motives in playing the part OF o
reformer of the international policy we do not
stop to examine The fact itself that he inau-
gurated a new era is undisputed. lie did not
reject the claims Of royalty and the binding
power attributed to treaties; but he recognized
in the settlement of Earopean di fiaulties n SEQ
ond rightful olaimant-hitherto regarded only
"a pretender-the wishes of the peoples.
However sincere OF insincere this recognition of
Popular Sovereignty on his part may have been,
il necessarily inaugurated new era in Euro
pean politics. The Balance-ol-P Power" prin-
ciple had to condescend to share its throne with
- Popular SOyereignty;" or, at least, the d.
plomatists of the old school were compelled TO
pay some Difference to considerations which the
champions of the new school claimed to derive
from the aspirations of the people The period
thus inaugurated must be obviously period Of
and transition.
If the Liberal or Democratic party which is
exerting itself in every country of
Europe, and gaining ground in post, should
sooner or later get control Of the destinies of
Europe, it will bow before the majesty of the
popular WILL as the most legitimate of all rulers,
rs the most sacred Of all political principles.
But then the great, the intricate question will
present itself, What constitutes people ?
Shall Democracy, shall the party Of Freedom
all the arbitrary territorial arrange
ments, which the egotism and despotism of
half dozen crowned heads and their advisers
have invented and upheld in spite of the con-
slant protest Of the majority Of the peoples :
Or, would it not be more just, more
in accordance with all our ideas of right
and fairness, TO examine whether the
protest of millions Of people against their forced
annexation to other natonalties is not entitled
to be taken into account and whether, in con-
ferenceS at which all tho members participating
recognize the sacred principle OF popular SOW
eregnty, solution cannot DO found removing
the complaints of oppression of one nationality
by another. Difficult questions would un-
arise at such conferences; but that
the principle Of Popular Sovereignty would
more easily bring about mutual understanding
than the doctrine of the Balance Of Power
hardly admits of q doubt.
Any conference that may OF present take
place in Europe will be an attempt to compro'
mise between two antagonistic principles. The
great question in which all believers in demo-
cratic and liberal institutions are deeply con-
cerned, is, whether the decisions of a conference
will lean more in the one or in the other direc-
ton; whether the letter of treaties or the popu-
lar will Of nations will have the greater weight.
In the one case the result will announce an adj
vance, in the other defeat, of d democratic
principle.
If, therefore, tho Schleswig- Holstein Confer
ence should take place, the discussion will turn
upon the question, To what extent shall treaties
be upheld which were concluded by about half
a dozen individuals, and never ratified by the