The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-09-17
THE PEACE OE EUROPE.

1
earnest proteatations Of tho Emperor of the
French that there was no reason TO apprehend
any interruption in tho continuance of the
peaceful relations now existing between The
several powers and peoples of Europe The
alarm had somewhat subsided by the confer
ence of sovereigns at Paris, only to be revived
again, however, by the recent meeting of The
two Emperors at Salzburg, and the many ru-
mors, this tete-n-frfr has given rise TO. NAro-
LEON, however, hns taken the earliest opportu-
nifty of reassuring the world that his intentions
are altogether peaceful. The King of Prussia,
in like manner, has taken pnins to inform his
subjects that the foreign relations Of Prussia
and of the North German Confederation are nj
together satisfactory, and that no war is to be
apprehended.
And yet the world is not satisfied. The
very fact of these nsseverntions being deemed
necessary by these two crowned heads
argues an anxious feeling of insecurity
and apprehension, which, it is manifest, may
Mt any time lend to great European war. In
deed, if these royal assurances are carefully
studied, something of mental reservation may
always be discovered, justifying a reasonable
degree Mt least ofpublc apprehension. As long
rs the preparations for war nre being carricd on
with so much energy and vigor, there must
remain room for suspicion that the royal and
imperial speeches are meant to conceal facts
rather than, as is the pretense, to make conf
dRnts Of the good and patient subjects to whom
they are addressed.
Austria also has disavowed any hostile intent
| tawar1 prnaqia in, fha Go, ,bnr
Still il is certain that NAPOLEON and JosEpu
have entered into closer relations than they
were in before; and even though we cannot yet
! sny that an alliance, offensive and defensive,
has been entered into by these two soveregns,
il appears acknowledged by the Vienna press
that they have united on fixed policy, which,
for its end has the prevention of the unifcR-
tion of Germany. If this is 80, II must needs
exercise an influence prejudicial 10 the hest
interests Of Germany, and will in NIL proba-
biliiy be met by Prussia with direct effort to
counteract it, viz: by endeayoring to ALLEVIATE
and sever from Austria her German Provinces
And this she will find q comparatively easy
| task, for the feeling of nationality hurns strong
| in every German breast. There are few edu-
Gated Germans in any part of the mother coun-
| try, and perhaps none, educated or unoducated,
Of all the millions of Germans who dwell in
| foreign lands who do not entertain as the most
| ardent wish Of their hearts, the hope that their
country may be one; united in government and
policy, as she has long been in feeling, in Ian
guage, in literature, and in all her aims and
hopes. "Pan- GermRuism," as this thirst for ma
tionality is called, is not a mere dream, II ia a
living principle, and ere long must and will as-
| sert itself. Whether Prussia shall or shall not
continue TO remain tho controlling power of the
new nation, or Confederation Of States, is q
matter of altogether minor Importance.
One thing the Germans are determined upon,
and that is, that they shall be permitted to
regulate their own affairs, free from French or
other foreign control or interference Until
this is conceded by France, not by smooth and
studied phrases, meaning nothing, as hitherto,
but by free and unreserved disayowal of all
right to interfere in German matters, the peace
between the two nations cannot be said to rest
on secure foundation.
The Treaty of Prague is to he used by
France and Auslria as the break with which to
keep Prussia in check, and repress her en-
deavors to unite the several parts Of Germany
into homogeneous whole. The cline of the
Main" is the new Rubicon, beyond which Prus-
sian influence shall not pass. But this is sim
ply an absurdity. simultaneously almost with
tho enactment OF The Treaty OF Prague, Prus-
sia made separate treaties with the several
States of South Germany, Baden, wurtemberg,
Bavaria, and Hesse -Darmstadt,-these same
States south of the taiain nnen.-by virtue of
which treaties Prussia, secured for herself abb
solutc control sof the military power of these
States. Subsequently,, as Is well known, by
means of tho zollyerein,. Prussia established
a commercial bond, and s- unity of in
tersst In trade, which 9cannot but en-
large her influence ins these South German
States. In all essentials, therefore, Prussian
influence already extends from the North Sea
and the Baltic, to the Alps and the Lake of
Constance; and France and Austria even
though aided by the intrigues Of parties at the
petty South German courts, will find it no
easy matter, either to undo what has already
been accomplished, or even to stay the further
progress Of this psn-germanizins movement
Prussia, II is true, has not much 10 expect
from the South German Governments, Baden
alone excepted. Those of Hesse, Nuremberg
and Bavaria, true TO that universal instinct In
nature, self.preservation, are mainly intent on
the preservation Of their sovereignty They
are, therefore, we'll pleased TO have the Jealousy
Of France and Austria toward Prussia as |
point d'appni; and even the Bsyarian Prime ]
Minister, Prince HoHRNLoHE, who at first mani
tested views Of a more liberal character, now
holds that the first aim of Bavarian policy must
be to keep her sovereignty intact. !. South Ger |
many, therefore. he says, cannot, must not
enter The North German Confederacy. He ad. |
ToeateH species Of union amung the South
German States, and then a very loose sort of |
tie between them and the North German Con.
federaoy. This is to be taken into oonsidera.
tion in October, at which time it Is said. Con.
'federacy and Parliament, analogous to the |
North German are expected TO be formed In
South Germany. II will thus be seen that the |
opponents of Prussia, no less than her friends
oil agree as to the Importance, the necessity OF
somo bond or other, representinga community
OF German interest. According to this Ba,srisp |
plan, two Parliaments are to deliberate on Ger. |
man matters, and legislats for the country. and |
dual Executive, composed Of South and
North derman elements, is to carry out ths
DEGREES Of the two ia rliernants