The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-23
The Signs OF the Political Sky.


From the Times.
There are various little clouds of danger on
The European horizon, which may yet seriously
affect the condition Of Europe during the next
year, ard in a minor degree our own well.being.
The old source of diplomatic trouble-the prin-
clpalities near the mouth OF the Danube-is
again bringing forth revolution and disturbance.
We may hear again OF Russia marching over the
Pruth and quieting the uneasy condition of the
Savonic populations and beginning a new
struggle with Turkey. 1t cannot be supposed
that even the severe lesson of the Crimean War
has put an end 10 the great ambition of Russia
TO possess Constantnople, 1t is doubtful now
whether England and France would unite for
another effort to check this progress towards
the sea, especially if Russia could sho w any kind
OF good diplomatic reasons for It, Certainly the
sympathy OF this country would not now be
against Russia as, since emancipation, it is be-
lieved that her course OF administration will re
more in harmony with the spirit OF the age than
ever before, and that Europe would be no more
impeded in rational advance by Russia than
by Turkey in the Bosphorus .-....''
But before such possible events can become
realities there must be desperate and bloody
wars, and the doctrine OF modern political
economy is the financial solidarity of nations"
that the prosperity OF one Is associated with the
prosperity of all.
war on tie Black Sea would disturb our
commerce and exchanges, and would, more or
les affect every branch of our trade. Still
more would a struggle on the Baltic between
the two leading German Powers for the Duchies.
Ii the unfortunate differences between Austria
and Prussia in regard 10 Schleswig- Holsten
should rpen into a war; it would be one which
might draw all continental Europe into the
vortex, perhaps even England itself. Napoleon
might seek in the great confusion and struggle
TO win Belgium or the Rhine Provinces; Italy
might strike tor Venice and Hungary rise for
her complete independence. Great Britain
might
her weight in European affairs by siding with
some OF the great Powers.
1t is most probable that the differences between
Aust la ana Prussia Will be compromised; still the
political skies wear a squally look. and our
business men will do well to look carefully at
these signs Whatever storms rage IN Europe,
our own course here must be calm and peaceful.
Neither the Mexican question nor the Canadian
fisheries can possibly emOroil us when there is
danger to the European power at home.
We snail feel indeed the reacting currents from
these disturbances IN Europe, but they canno:
affect US seriously. Our problems and dangers
are all domestic. We must proceed with the
grand and peaceful work OF healing the wounds
OF terrible war. We have tO build up the
Union, TO complete the work of emancipation,
to reduce our expenses and contract the cur
rency, to promote production and organize our
finances, so that the burdens of tremendous
struggle may rest as lightly as possible on our
people. Already the signs are favorable.
The currency is slowly returning TO a specie
basis; our banking interest Is pronounced by
world; our most unequal and injudcious tariff is
10 be revised IN the interests OF production. The
imports OF luXuries are giving signs of falling Off,
while the export OF cotton is about to increase to
vast extent, with lower prices ruling. Fo
releners are aiding us continually with capital
by taking our public bonds and railway securi-
ties; the credit of the Government IS rising
every day in all the marke,s of the world the
revenues OF the country for expenses and toI
paying the interest on the public debt are far
beyond our calculation; prices of commodities
a1e everywhere falling, and wages will soon
follow, so that the burdens on consumers will
speedily be lightened. few Will suffer who
have speculated beyond their means; some
apparent fortunes will lose their value; the
manufacturing companies who have beer
making such enormous profits will be obliged
to sell out at loss; buC the community al
large Will be gamer. An enormous develop
ment of production is at hand in cotton from
the South, and in gold from Colorado and the
nelghborlng regions, while the West will supply
corn and meat TO those districts occupied il
their more profitable branches.
The South Is wisely rejecting all reactionarl
tallacles about the greater cheapness of groWini
corn ana raising hogs near by, to save the eX
pense OF freight from the West, and is turnini
all her energies to what pays the best-cottol
culture-assured if the profit of this production
is sufficient that she can afford to let New Enc
land make her shoes, and Indiana grow ne
corn. In like manner, the Central West will
use their unriValled agricultural facilities an
feed the whole country, without turning capita
to unnatural and Improbable branches Of mani
tacture.
Many burdens weigh indeed on the productio
and commerce of the seaboard, but there ar
many siens of healthful growth and of il
creasing progress.