, 1865-11-10

In the events WnlCn lave tdktH pldCe
during the last few years there has been
a general wish TO keep we'll with France.
The Prussian Government has had rea-
son to think that it has not entirely sue
ceeded. Doubtless an evil conscience
has had much 10 do with this feeling.
The conduct of Prussia in the affair OF
the Dnchies is not likely to gain it allies
wherever morality and public right are
regarded. Count BiSmark has set both
Legitimacy and Democracy against HIM.
lie has plundered a King and subiugated
q people. He went TO war on the pre-
text that the King of Denmark had 70
title to the Duchies, and when he had
taken possession he refused 10 leave, on
the ground that the King of Denmark
had been the real Sovereign, and that his
c~cssion bad transferred them without
more ado 10 the conquerors. Among
those who have most strongly rebuked
These misdeeds have been French states
men and writer's, and the opinion of the
Emperor was known TO coincide with
theirs. The Convention Of Gastein,
which seemed 10 contemn principles on
which the safety of all the smaller Pow
crs of Europe depend, WAS received with
surprise and displeasure by the French
as we'll as the English Government. We
believe it is mainly, if not entirely, to do
away with the bad effect of these aggreS-
sions that the visit Of Count Bi<mark has
been made. There are doubtless other
matters which may have been discussed
between the Emperor and the Minister.
The prospect of the Kings success in
battling with his Legislature and people,
and the effect which such a course will
have on German and European opinion.
may probably have been The subject Of
advice by one who knows how to conduct
strong government a little more decor
ously.
IF there was anything more important
to Europe, we shall, no doubt, hear Of it
in due time. At the bottom of The sur
misses which are prevalent is The notion
that Prussia will not be allowed by
France to gain the fruits of its ovcrbcar-
ing and hypocritlcaI policy without Civ
ing a compensation to the Emperor. But
this is 10 place the Imperial morality very
low. It is to suppose that the most
powerful, able, and well-reputed Cont
mental Sovereign would sell one popula-
ton for another, and disregard not only
treaties, but those natural political rights
on which his own throne is founded. We
would rather suppose that the assurance
which is said to have been given by Prus-
STA and Austria, that the provisions of
the Gastein Convention are only tempo
rary, has been repeated by Count Bis
mark, and that he has promised that more
respect shall be shown to the rights and
wishes of the people in the Duchies.
With regard to these SchIeswig- Holstcin-
ers we must confess to feeling very little
interest. They thought fit TO make their
country ungovernable by the Sovereign
whose predecessors had ruled it for cen
turtles and if they now find a master
who will govern them after a far %stricter
fashion, they will have brought it on
themselves. They revolted against the
paying of taxes imposedby q half-Danish
Legislature; now they will probably be
taxed without any Legislature at all.
The interest of D%eighbouring nations is
aroused less on their behalf than on be-
half of principles that are of general APP
plication, and the overthrow of which
would be a public calamity. If, then