The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-04-10
THE PRUSSIAN WAR CLIO I'D.

Anstria and Prussia, the papers all tell us, have
been ouarrelng for some time about two little
Ducbies on the shores OF the German Ocean,
known as Schleswig and Holstein; and, not oeins
able to come to an amicable adjustment OF tne
difficulty, the two great German powers are no"
making energetic preparations to try the virtues
of Armstronps and Minnie balls. Ambassadors,
cabi,et ministers and Hof-Kanzlers must give
vay to General -Marschalls and Feld-Zeugmeist-
ers. All this wo have no doubt, is perfectly cor
rect.-but we nevertheless feel assured there VIII
be no war. The preparations are meant as
threats, and will create great stir in military
Diplomatic and financial circles; but war between
these two countries would be attended with con-
seouences too serious to be entered upon precipi-
tately. It is the interest Of every sovereign in
Europe to prevent such a calamity, and, it is to
be hoped, that the approaching Congress in Paris,
which is to unravel 80 many tangled diplomatic
skeins, will give the quietus to that most ve1e
of questions, viz Who shall be the sovereign OF
the Schleswig -Holstein Duchies.
These Duchies, however, are only the ostensl-
ble ground OF strife; the quarrel between the two
rival powers is Of much older date.
CARLYLE, in his six volumes of "FnlEpRIcH,
gives us minute insight into the rise and pro-
cress of this international hsto and rivalry. The
great FREDERICK built up Prussia at tho expense
of Austria. A little over one hundred years ago,
Prussia had no voice in the politics OF Europe.
To all intents and purposes, she was mere prov
ince of the German Empire; whereas Austria, for
many centuries, has been at the head OF Germany,
and the Emperors usually were elected from the
Honse OF HApspURa The brilliant victories OF
FREpEn1cK at once assigned Prussia place in the
foremost rank Of European States.
The German Empire WAS dissolved by NAro-
LEON in 1906; and when its several component
States threw off the French yoke, and re-asserted
their Independence in 1888, they formed what has
ever since been known as the German Dict, or
Confederation, Austria again having the Hege-
mony; this seemed matter Of course, nasmuch as
Austria with her non-German possessions in
Hungary, Moldavia and Italy, had population
eoualling if not exceeding that of the whole OF
Germany. But while large populations and ex-
tensive territorial possessions are naturally a
source of strength, they FORM in this instance, q
great element Of weakness, owing to the geo.
graphical situation OF the component parts, and
the chronological differences Of its peoples. The
empire consists Of provinces in Germany and
Italy, OF Hungary, Moldavia and Transylvania, of
Bohemia and Moravia,-representing nationali-
ties, widely differing in race, language religion,
habits and character. To frame government
lust and suitable to these varied and opposing
interests has been the vain endeavor of the cabinet
ministers at Vienna during the half century past.
Austria, moreover, has but a very small maritime
al Ill o;d bv
tions, she is under the necessity of guarding her
extensive frontier, thus requiring an immense
standing army; this the more, as the outlying
provinces have never been marked for loyalty to
their Hapsburg sovereigns; and every war IN
which Austria has been engaged since 1915, in the
interest OF her non-German possessions, has les
sened her influence in the German Diet.
Prussia, also has two or three provinces not
included in the German Diet (her share of tho
Partition of Poland); but far the greater part OF
Prussia is German, and is perhaps more homo
geneous in the several characteristics that 80
to constitute a people, than any other Eu-
ropean State Of her size. The great Frederick,
on coming to the throne, formed the nucleus OF
splendid army, which he increased year after
year. and rendered more Efficient till at last Prus
sia became one vast military camp; and this
characteristic has been so strongly impressed
upon the country and incorporated in her entire
system of governments, that the Prussians Of to-
day have right to be considered the most mill
tary people in Europe With population of less
than twenty millions, she boasts an army OF near
" 800 900 men, which, in time of war, can be in
creased lat very short notice, by means Of her
excellent Land,celu-), to $50, 900 men.
Prussia stands In the forefront in all that per-
tains to the highest degree Of enlightenment. In
Government constitutional monarchy, and Pro-
testant in religion, her people have enjoyed fair
amount of liberty, and the best opportunity OF
working out the great problem Of modern civli-
zation. Her material prosperity is second to that
of no o. her State in Europe; her system OF educa-
ton is unrvalled; the several walks OF art, tera
ture and science, have been rendered illustrious
with the light shed upon them by Prussians
This is a tempting theme, but we must not per-
NIT ourselves to lose sight of the { stion in
hand.
Nor can we enter here into the perplexties Of
Schles wig -Holstein. These duches were con-
quered from the Danish crown about two years
ago. Prussia, as far as We can see, has neither
right nor title to them; but her Prime Minister,
OHIO DE B1sMARK SCuoSHAUsEN Commonly called
the Count OF B1snrARK) is afflicted with disease
called tho Landergier (coyeting territory, and no
has used every possible effort to annex these
II. H..