New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-11
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

ScnlcsWlg-tiOisteln question:. iho uhPicOc'
dcn.ed unaniinity Of all political parties in the
old fathcrland is reflected among the German
citizens of the United States. Republicans and
Democrats feel on this subject alike, and,
among all the numerous organs OF the German
Americans, whose number exceeds two hundrei,
hardly single voice Will deny its support TO
the people of Schleswig and Holstein IN their
struggle against Denmark. NewYork has just
witnessed public exhibition Of this sympathy
! in an immense mass meeting ut Cooper IBsti-
tute, and now that the ball has been fairly set
in motion, it may be expected that this Schles-
wig. Holstcin enthusiasm viii manifest itself in
all parts of the United States.
The cause Of this excitement and enthusiasm
il the same tina. inspired the Italian people in
;heirwar against Austria; that nerved the Poles
in their unequal struggle against the over
whelmng numbers OF the Russians; end that
Is now threatening to take the whole map OF
Europe 10 pieces-the nationality principle.
The Italians of yeneta, and with them all their
coun,rymen, demand that the rule Of for
cigner over them shall cease, and that they be
allowed ~ DO exclusively what God made them
-members Of The Italian nation. 1t + precisely
.hc semc thing that the Germans Of sehlos"ig
nndf Hnlstein, and with them the Germans
Everywhere, demand. namely, that the rule OF
foreign race over them shall cease, enl that
they be- suffered TO live az Germans. They
claim, therefore, that they are as much entitled
"a, ~, - 81
democratic principles everywhere, AZ We're tho
Italians n their war OF 80. Thsyosen present
arguments in support Of their claim which the
Italians coald not present. Italy, IN her var
against Austria in 1853, and in her ayowed de-
sign to wrest Yenetia from Austria upon the
first suitable opportunity, cJuld adducc in her
favor only one right-that Of revolution; for If
the government of nations depends upon The
hereditary laws Of princely houses, and upon
treaties, no European Prince has q clearer title
10 his States than Austria has TO Veneila.
Nevertheless the Liberal party in Europe, as
well Gs in America, would not hesitate TO wish !
success to Vcnetia if, with the aid OF Italy, and
only falling back upon the right of revolution.
she should venture upon another struggle Of
Independence.
The people of schleswis AID Holstein are I'M
questioaably in the SAND condition, If they at
tempt separation from Denmark. But they
claim in theh favor not only the right Of revolu-
ton. Austria has been Tor centuries in actual
possession Of Italian territory, but over Schles-
wig and IIols,ein no foreign potentaie has
welded an absolute Sovereignty. These two
luchies never sustained to Denmark the relation
OF proTiucos, but they were independent States,
and IL was q mere accident that the same horcd-
itary law made Tor d time the King of Denmark
simultaneously Duke of Holstein and Sclileswig.
Ths law was the only title by which the Ming OF
Denmark claimed the people Of the two duchies
a. his subjects. They owed no allegiance to
him, az King Of Denmark, but only Is Duke OF
Schleswig and Hohtein.
Now, il Is admitted on all sides that, by the
death OF King Frederic VII. OF Denmark, The |
union between Denmark and the two duchies
had to cease according 10 the laws of both coun-
tries. The Prince Of AugusteEburg was success
sor in the Duchies, and another relation OF the |
late king was lis successor in the kingdom.
The Danes, ana those who sympathize with
them, base their claims to the maintenance OF
what they call the integrity of the Danish Mon
archy entirely upon treaty of 1852, by which
number Of European Powers, in order pre-
serve the balance Of power" in Europe, arro-
gated to themselves the right 70 dictate change
in the law of succession in Schleswig and fiol-
stein This treaty YVES Sgned, though with
some reserve, By Austria and Prussia, both OF
which felt, and still feel, more interest in the
"baance Of power in Europe than in "na-
tional rights" which in their eyes are like any
other class of rights--saye those Of Princes--ofI
revolutionary character.
Those who wish to form just opinion of the
conflicting claims in this complication, which
has now assumed European Importance will
have TO decide the question--whether the de-
mand of people to regulate their own des-
tiny, and to preserve their old laws intact, or
the stipulations Of number of Princes dispos-
ing of two independent States in order TO per-
petuate "the balance Of power" in Europe, de-
serve the greater sympathy In such an alter
native. the decision of the American press can
not be doubtful.
The recent Developments in this question are
OF the most serious nature. The Diet of ilol-
stein has declared in favor of thc Prince OF
Augustcaburg. An assembly Of 900 members
Of al German Legislatures, including those of