The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-26
me Dark Hours of Austria.

From The Daily Mems.
just now, upon the eve of grand European
war, in which Austria appears to be menaced
from all sides, and its utter dismemberment
threatened, It may not be Improbable 10 call
back moments in Austrian history when for a
time its fall seemed certain and unavoidable
and yet when, by its own reouperative force
1t succeeded in overcoming all danger and rising
superior to all hostile combinations. We shall
refer to these historical instances not In the
spirit OF panegyrist, but merely as indications
OF the great power of resistance Austria pos
sess es, and has always possessed, and further to
show that those who predict, from the present
combinations against the House of Hapsburg
It's downfall as one % the great ruling powers of
the earth, have not thoroughly measured the
resources nor the elasticity OF Government
compelled to fight for the maintenance OF its
dignity, ay, for its very existence.
The present situation bears q remarkable
analogy to the condition of continental Eurone
upon the death of Charles the Sixth, Emperoro of
Germany and ATchduke OF Austria in I74O.
Against his daughter, Maria Theresa, who
claimed TO succeed him, by virtue OF the ''prag-
matte sanction in the hereditary dominions of
Austria, almost the whole of Europe combinedin
maintaining her succession inadmissible under
the Sahc law, tor centuries past the great law of
kngly descent on the continent. 1t was then
that Frederick the Second of Prussia, young add
ambitious, won hls first spurs in battle. BE.
sides him, France, Bavaria, Saxony, Han
other minor powers of Italy and Germany,
preferred claims to the several portions OF the
Austrian uominions, and for a time IL ap-
pea1ed as If the days Of the Austrian HapsDurgs,
as ruling family IN Europe, were soon to ead.
But Austria outlived the danger, and came out
OF the struggle with very little loss Frederick
gained portion OF SILICA, and France obtained
Lorraine and Alsace. But, on the other hand,
Austrias influence rose greatly, and Maria
Theresa succeeded in having her husband,
Duke Francis of Lorraine, elected German En-
| peror, Notwithstanding the opposition OF Russia
| Prussia, England France and Spain. Austria
| was thus almost mlraculously saved from utter
ruin by the fervid patriotism and martial vigor
| OF the Hungarians, TO whom Maria Theresa
| presented herself, her infant son in her
arms, pleading with fearful eyes for instant
| succors Pm, -..-- - -~
| Again, in almost our own time, the Napoleouic
| wars have often brought Austria to the verge of
| complete destruction. All its dominons oyerrun
by victorious enemy, Its capital IN the posses
sion of hostile army, its own organized force
| OF resistance nearly destroyed in numberless
| oattles, and the weak remnants of a once proud
| army and brave spirited population demoraliZed
| by constant defeat, and added to all this lin
! 1871 national bankruptcy working the most
| disastrous results among all classes-all this did
| weaken Tor time, it is true, the power of
Austria; but In 1918, as If with sudden bound
| 10 the astonishment of all Europe, and to the
| amazement of no one more than Napoleon him
| sell, Austria stood fully armed, dauntess, and
! IN all the strength and vieor OF uneXhaJsted
| manhood on the plains of Lepsic, bidding de-
| lance to the conqueror OF the continent. IL was
here again that, in the darkest hour of Ausria's
| fortunes, 1t drew new life and redoubled strength
| from Hungary, that great preserver of Austrian
| power in Europe. AS, in 1889, the whole of
| the rest OF Austria was unable TO cope with Hun
| gary alone unaided, so with Hungary frmy on
its side and ready for every sacrifice in its sup
| port, Austria rose twice superior to the armed
| combination of the principal powers of Europe.
! True, the relations between the Yiennese
| Government and the Hungarian people are not
| the most cordial just a. present. Hungary has
been a. constitutional monarchy from ITS first
| advent among the family of European nations
| thousand years ago, and the Hungarians are
| great sticklers for their time-honored cOnstitu-
| tlonal rights and privileges. But we have no
doubt that they will again rally TO the support
| Of their sovereign aod the integrity of the Aus
TRAN Empire with all the impulsiyeness and
ardor OF former times, as equivalent for the
hrm re-establishment of their ola form OF govern
| ment and their local autonomy. Ii this be
granted, and granted in manner to WIN the
faith OF the Hungdrans, and dissipate their
| innate suspicious OF the value OF the promises of
| kings in need, even the present powerful coali-
ton against Austria will en6lwthout imperillng
! her position. But then the principles OF reform
! SO loudly proclaimed by the youthful Emperor
| Francis Joseph at the Congress of Princes at
Frankfort must become his rule of action at
home ana abroad, or else feHr Ausrta will be
Tetl1 no longer. ..T .."r
I