The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-20
The War in Europe Historical Parallel.

Erom the Herald.
The latest news from Europe, which we pub
lished yesterday, Is very warlike. The scheme
OF Ieace conference having been abandoned,
Prussia has marched her troops into Holstein,
Austria has concentra ed her forces and Italy
Is all ready tor the struggle. II is probable that
the next steamer will bring the announcement
of battle, and soon all Europe will ring witn
the clash OF resounding arms. When hostilities
are actually commenced 1t will be exceedingly
difficult to tell when and where they will termi
nate. England, France, and Russia, now neu-
tral, NAV at any time be brought into the fray,
! and the European democracy, who have long
awYited their opportunity TO strike, NAV at
some unexpected moment take sides in the con-
nict and overturn the tottering thrones OF impe-
rial despots.
The curious repetitions or parallolisms Of his
tory have become proverbial Napoleon, who
has stirred up this war for certain motives of his
own, Is playing the same game with Germany
now that Ricbelieu played with Charles the
Fifth. The Reformation lnauguIated by Luther
was political as well as religious Richelieu
secretly took part in the troubles which arose,
and aided the ProtestaDts in Germany while he
was putting them down in favor OF the Catholics
in France. Charles the Fifth, then Emperor of
Germany and King OF Spain, sovereign who
ooasted that the sun never set upon his domi-
Mons, was constantly harassed by attacks from
all sides, now from powerful rival, and now
u u
the end OF the ThTty Years. War he was glad to
abd'cae, and retire into a monastery. In many
respects his position resembled that of the pre-
sent Emperor OF Austria, AGAINST whom similar
coalitions are forming, and whose object, like
that of Charles, is to establish and strengthen
the power OF the Pope by repressiug the ambi-
tious advances OF Italy. Prussia and Italy now
occupy the position held by the opponents of
Charles. Napoleon, like Richeleu, stands be.
hind the scenes tomenting the various intrigues.
England, then neutral because or her own trou-
bles with the Commonwealth, is now in nearly
the same attitude. Finally the democratic ele-
ment, then unknown in politics, has taken the
place OF the religious element once so potential.
Alter the battle OF Lutzen RiChelieu secured
for France the prize tor which he had been
scheming-the lett bank of the Rhine-and 1t
is more than suspected that Napoleon Is now
anxious to acquire the same territory. Thc
singular fact that RiCheleu assisted the Protes-
tants is paralleled by the assistance which Napo-
leon notO1iouslv gives the democrats wherever
he thinks he can control them, and whenever
he judges it to be TO his ADVANTAGE. wise man
uses his enemies to further his own plans but,
after all 1t is dangerous game, and one in
which the engineer is often hoist with his o wn
petard. Richeleu succeeded in mis- immediate
plots; but he gave Protestanism an impetus
which nothing has since been aole to check.
Napoleon may find democracy a tool equally
dangerous to handle. Should there be revolu-
tionary uprising in France, his crown will be
one OF the fist to tremble, ii not to fall
To complete the historical parallel, it is only
necessary to consider the aspect of affairs in
England. where the Reform bill now being de.
bated will probably be defeated or postponed,
and the people, tired of waiting for the recognl
tion of their rights Dy Government which has
many faults and few recommendations other
than that of custom and tradition, may take
affairs into their own hands and establish
another commonwealth or republic. We cannot
anticipate another Thirty Years War; since wars
are shorter In these days; but it is possible that
an entire reconstruction OF the map of Europe
and the overthrow of several ancient dynasties
may precede that peace of fatigue and exhaustion
which will close this contest it did the wars of
Charles the Fifth. Upon TINS or any other result
| Americans may look with complaCency, tor our
troubles are over, and we shall certainly be bene-
| flied he those in EurODe.