, 1865-10-10

number, or any second-rate power not of
their own number, in the unjust use of
force against the weaker independent
States. At present it appears to mean
the privilege to annex, limited only by
fear of each other instead of 9Th privi-
lege to resist territorial change, limited
only by respect for the legitimate wishes
of the great populations The effect of
acting on the former principle is more
and more visible every year in Europe.
France has never yet laid the anger and
the jealousy to sleep which her cynical
seizure of Nice produced. The Radical
party in Italy regarded it, and regard it,
as more than an offset against all her
timely help. England has never yet
quite forgiven it, and the resentment it
produced and the fear of o new stroke of
the same kind were undoubtedly the dis
turbing forces which prevented England
from coming to any hearty agreement
with France to protect Denmark. Rus
STA has succeeded 10 swallowing Poland,
and whether she can keep il down or not,
she deeply lrritated the popular feeling
both in France and England in the pro-
cess. Now that Prussia has followed
suit by furnishing Denmark for not unit
ing Schleswig and Holstcin, and immedi-
ately separating them herself with pre-
paratiOns for absorbing one if not both
absolutely into the Prussian monarchy,
German popular feeling is reused into q
similar flame of indignation, and the pco-
Piles of Europe at least, if not their rulers,
are fast learning to believe, with the pO-
ct, that earth is sick and Heaven is
weary of the hollow words which States
and Kingdoms utter when they talk of
truth and Justice" A state of European
feeling in which every weak State knows
for veI taiu That Lte Powers of Europe ex-
cept England will do each what is right
in It's W eyes, ON condition only of not
alarming each other, and England, though
abstaining from all selfish aggrandizt-
ment, has completely made up her mind
to abstain also from all acts of unselfsh
generosity that may involve her in war,
is not significant of a peaceful future.
Some popular confidence in international
justice is even more necessary than a
mere balance Of forces, to keep Europe
at rest. The balance of forces nav be
unsettled any day by a genuine alliance
amongst s)me of these al present ma
tually distrustful Powers. While each
acts s~ullenly and alone for its own inter-
ests there may be a sort of equilibrium
which once disturb I'd is never restored.
But If two great Powers are once heartily
allied for offence and defence, either for
the sake Of doing or preventing sons
great injustice, the smouldering irritation
OF the peoples of Europe will be fuel to
the flame, and we may have another war.
on q grand scale, which these cynical an
nexations of territory from weak States,
will in reality have provoked. Talk as
we will, and as the Aaissez fare school
does, of the pacific results of non-inter4
vention which the great Powers of Eu-
rope have recently been studying and
practising, that will do as much to stir
the passions of Europe as the most fussy
and mis-timed Intervention. Without a
disposition to enforce justice among the
strong, the weak can never be either hap
Ply or quiet. Permitting your neighbour
to be robbed in peace SO long as you have
reason to believe that you have some Sc
curity against that unpleasant operation
which he has not, will not promote the