The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-07-05
THE EUROPEAN WAR.

THE EUROPEAN WAR.
1t seems that the war in Europe has
become fixed fact, and that our fellow
men there, protesting to be rational
Christian people, are actually engaged
in destroying each other, on the most
extensive scale, and according to the
most approved plan. This looks like
great folly to us, at this distance; but
we have been so lately engaged in the
same cruel business ourselves, that we
should learn to be tolerant in respect to
the belligerents in Europe. Doubtless
there has been great wrongsome where;
and that not having been rectifed in
time, the self respect of neither party,
under the peculiar circumstances of the
present, will allow any chance to back
out now. War is the last argument of
nations. There is something in human
nature which seems to render it neces-
sary at times; and we will continue to
hear of wars, until nations become
Christian in reality, and not in name
only as seems now to be the case.
AS the saying is, both parties have
got "their Dutch up and their pride
will not let them back down until after
the loss of some blood. The great pow
ers around them, England, France and
Russia, although apparently anxious TO
avert the contest, are eager spectators Of
the scene, and will doubtless show fair
play during the contest. The oficious
attempts of outsiders to settle the quar-
rel has probably fastened it on and
we suspect that the outside world, which
is not likely to get engaged in the war,
would rather see it go on than not
The world is fond of excitement. f
We are not well enough acquainted
with the cause of the quarrel to explain
it. We are aware that, some years ago,
the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein,
belonged to Denmark and that the
King of Denmark, as titular Duke of
Holstein, was claimed to be a member
of the German Bund, or Confederation
of States. He did not choose to so re-
gard it, and Prussia, as the leading Ger
man power, undertook to enforce the
German view by war. Austria, with
some eight million Germans in her do
minions, and the rival of Prussia for
German ascendency, undertook to aid
in the war on Denmark. Holstein and
Schleswig were both. wrested from Den
mark, and have since been occupied by
Prussia and Austria. The former
seems to have regarded them as original
ly hers, and Austria appears to have in
terfered only to prevent Prussia from
appropriating them to herself. Austria
was finally willing to submit the ques-
ton to the confederation of the German
States but to this Prussia would not
agree, and the consequence is that most
of the other German States favor Aus
more than Prussia, e.t
Austria is regarded as an interloper
in Italy where she still holds Venitia
against the will of the people. In the
late war between Sardinia and France
and Austria, the province of Lombardy
was wrested from Austria and given. to
Sardinia, which made Sardinia power
full kingdom particularly after Sicily
and Naples also had been revolutionized
by Garibaldi, and given to Victor Eman-
uel, King of Sardinia. Napoleon, it
will be remembered, after the battle OF
Solferino, and when the desperate work
was only begun, ended the war as sud
denly as it began, by agreeing to leave
Venice still with Austria. The Italians
are determined to clear the Austrians
out Of Italy, and we shall soon expect
to hear that the war is raging on the
frontiers of Italy as desperately as in
Germany.
P.S.-The latest arrival from Europe,
with news to the Goth ult., shows that
Prussia had declared war against Aus
tria, and invaded the German State OF
Saxony, whichadheres to Austria enter
ing Dresden the capital Of Saxony,-
Prussia has also invaded Hesse Cassel,
where collision occurred, in which one
regiment Of Hessians was said to have
been nearly annihilated. 1t was thought
that battle would soon be fought near
Frankfort The Anstrians were about
to invade Silesia, S. Z, province OF
Prussia. War was also declared by
Italy against Austria, and stirring events
pill doubtless soon take place,