Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-07-27

ing influence ON the whole Confederation .
SECOND, the struggle Of the people. incI,,.
ding the people of Austria and Prassia as
Well as OF the minor States, toward a Ger
nan nationality, which should embrace
under one government all German-speaking
populations. No war could occur which
should not have an immense influence upon
these two issues. Austria has succeeded In
attaching temporarily to her side q majority
OF the minor States, and the Federal Diet,
representing population of 10000, 600,
! exclusive Of Austria and Prussia, has declar-
ed IN favor OF the former. Neither Austria
which still obeys the despotic traditions Of
the House Of Hapsburg, nor Prussia which
Is ruled by Bismarlz, minister whose poliep
i nothing tg the people, has any sympathy
with the aspirations of the German Liberals,
but both have conciliated and used the pop
Hlar feeling as one instrument in their strug-
glc for supremacy. In point of fact, it is
this desire for leadership i'm Germany which
drives Austria and Prussia to arms, and by
no means then misunderstanding about the
petty State Of Holstein. All the Holstein
difficulties could be readily enough arranged
were 1t not for the irrepressible conflict be-
tween the two Great Powers, either 20
establish an ascendency In the present eoun-
els OF the nation, or to become its recogGi-
Zed head whenever its political reorganiza-
ton shall take place. The minor German
States, are not at this moment the most i'm
portant element in their situation.
More than any other European Power,
Italy welcomes the coming war. Since the
Peace of Nillafranca, in 1859, left Fenetia
IN the hands of her Austrian tyrants, Italy
has watched, and waited, and prayed for the
moment when it might be possible to strike
a blow for the liberation of that province
and the unity of the Kingdom. Assoon as
II became probable that the negotiations
between Austria and Prussia must end in
war, Italy sent an envoy to Berlin to con-
clude an offensive and defensive alliance
with the enemy of Austria Prussia bound
herself not to make peace till Italy should
be able 10 make terms with Austria, and
Italy, jjoyfully pledged to stand OF fall with
Prussia. War, indeed, had become ne
cessity to Italy In maintaining a grea.
army for the defence other Venetian frontier.
her treasury had strained its resources to the
utmost, and her most provident statesmen
agreed 1t was better to hazard everything in
war which had reasonable chance of
success, than to sink slowly into hopeless
bankruptcy. The Italy which believes in
Garlbaldi was impatient for an opportunity
to redeem its pledge to its brothers in
Venetia. Victor Emanuel's sympathies
were on the side Of the people, and his
influence had been thrown, when
ever it was possible, in favor Of the party Of
war. The enthusiasm for war was general, |
and as soon as the probability of an alliance
with Prussia was made known, the prepa-
rations for war proceeded SO rapidly that,
even if Prussia and Austria had made peace
it would have been scarcely possible to re-
strain the volunteers under Garibaldi from
crossing the Venetian frontier On her side
are the sympathles OF the world America
might care little for the quarrel between
Austria and Prussia, but the emancipation |
of Venetia is tc US the most interesting |
question Of European politics, and whoever |
lights on the side of Italy We welcome as the |
ally of Liberty.
Behind Italy stands France. Napoleon |
may or may not mean to put his sword in |
the scale at the outbreak of war, but he is. |
N some contingen cies, the inevitable anato-
mist of Austria. If the war went hard with
Italy, the author of the Peace of Villafranca
;ould not look on while the Austrian eagle
lgain few over Milan His cooperation
amounts to virtual security that Italy can
lot come out Of this contest any worse than
he goes in. He will choose his own time
o fling down his gauntlet and announce his
erms, but from the moment the first shot is
ired on the Silesian border, the Emperor
# the French is the arbiter of the situation.
Austria may conduct contest against Prus-
IA and Italy with some hope of success.
1et France join the alliance, and there is no
uture for the Hapsburgs. .-Neo York
IIiblfae