The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-11-07
The Roman Question: and the
.ftiituCte OF E'rusStn.

The ESOnsGSI Question: and the |
.fttjtuCte OF E'rtSStn.
The trouble over the Roman question |
now. that the armies of France and
Italy are afeld in opposition to, and in
tacit defense, on the one side or the
other, Of Garibaldi and his party of ac-
tion-secms to have reached the alti
tuGe of a serious crisis. Mutual char
ges of a violation of the September trea-
ty have been urged by France ard Italy
as a sufficient cause for the course Of
either in entering the Papal territory
with troops and the justification by
Gen. Menabrea, the Italian Prime Min
istcr, for the advance Of the Italian
troops over the frontier contained in the
assertion that the dignity OF the Italian
government required this movement, is
a declaration lraught with mischief to
the peace OF Europe. It is clear that,
unless assured of cooperation from
another quarter, King Victcr Emman'
ucl would not readily place himself in
antagonism to the power which has pla-
ced him on the throne of Italy, and
which might possibly remove him
thence. The evasion OF the September
treaty by Francc--the plea brought for
ward by Italy for its hostile attitude-is
clearly a pretext which would be want
ing but for an existing outside influence
which interposes itself to prevent the
consummation of peace. This influence
opposed to peace: in the shape of Prus-
sia, seems fastening to avail itself of the
present complications between France
and Italy to assert itself in wallike
guise against the former, and thus pre-
cipitate, at what it deems favorable op-
portunity, that conflict of opinions and
natiCnalties which, since the battle of
Sadowa, has threatened Europe with the
shadow OF a sanguinary war.
1t cannot be denied that the pursuit
of France aud Prussia, since The success.
ful completion of the late war between
the latter and Austria, has been persis,
tent and Goggcd in the extreme. The
military prestige which has heretofore
rendered France the great European
bully, ready at all times to act as self
appointed arbiter in the quarrels of the
European family, has failed of that re-
cognition at the hands Of Prussia, from
the day when Bismarck assumed the du
ties of prime minister of that country
which had generally been accorded it
In devoting herself to the work of bull
ding up powerful representative of The
German element in European element
which shal, be individualized religious
| ly as we'll as politically-Prussia meets
in France and in French ideas patura
autagonism. Hence is it that, step b,
step, she follows her rival, playing tn,
bullying game as long as bullying pays
and ready, we make no doubt, to tes
the question with France wherever tha
Power shall deem tie time propitious.
The intimatiou contained in Berlin
newspaper-although only semi officia
in its characterize the effect that Prus
sia will intervene in the Roman Difficult
ty should such action, on her part, b
necessary to preserve the peace of Eu
| rope, and the announcement that Prus
sia has pledged her support to Italy, i
case of a rupture with France, are, doubt
less, true reflex, both Of the popula
sentiment of the kingdom, and Of tn
purposes of government in respect
France. Inasmuch, also, as religion
influence would enter into the Prussia
policy in any quarrel which she migf
hatch with her neighbor over the RI
! man question, another, and iorcib
t reason would exist to her own satisfac
, ton why, under pretence of prescrvin
the European equilibrium threatened /
l. France, she should enter the arena pr
p. pared 10 measure swords with her preo
o daired antagonist. So certain is it th
on the tide Of events these two intract
bic and snarling Powers are rapid
e drifting into collision, that it would ma
It ter little, so far as reason or justice
concerned, which party was the aggre
sor in the conflict which seems newt
bic. But of all the unfortunate issu
. which Prussia could raise as a ittiI
u and appropriate c1Sus JeHi, that of Il
/. effort of Napoleon to preserve the pea
# of the Holy See is the most unfortunat
In coming to blows over this subject,
y Pandora box of evils would be open'
l. for Europe which it would be difficr
to do away with.-N Y. Ners.
LIVE FOR OTHERs.--God has WI
N, Al