The New York herald., 1867-04-30
Tho London Ceuference.

For the present, then, we are not to have
war. Prussia and France are not going TO
fight Luxembourg is not to be oasAs belH.
The gentle voice Of England's Queen has in
terfe and like true chevaliers, as they are,
Napoleon and William and Bismarck have con-
sented to a conference. This Is as 1t ought to
be. The Luxemburg difnculty, for reasons
which the HERALD has already explained,
should never have been allowed to have had
even the appearance of disturbing the peace Of
Europe.
Seriously speaking, however, It is well that
conference is to be held. Great dangers, and
even catastrophes, have more than once in the
worlds history arisen from little causes. The
threatened cause in this instance was undoubt-
edly triiing and although we are not to have
war, war was never more imminent Nor Is
1t too much to say that II the torch had been
applied at Luxembourg the conAagration must
have grown until Europe, from the North Sea
to the Mediterranean, and from the Euxine to
the Atlantic, would have been wrapped in Its
destructive embrace. In q recent speech Sir
Archibald Alison, the world-renowned his
torian of Europe-than whom, notwithstanding
the many and even serious faults OF his history,
no man living is better qualified to speak of the
conflicting elements Of European society-well
and truthfully showed the dangers to be ap-
pretended from the inordinate growth of any
one Power. Absorption might 60 on, annexa-
tion might follow annexation, until the nation
alities should disappear in one powerful and
grinding despotism. We apprehend, no such
danger until Europe throughout all her bor-
der becomes welded to republican institu-
tions But then we shall have nothing to
apprehend; for when that change shall
have passed over the public mind
Of the various nationalitiss, unity and centrali-
zation will be blessings rather than the reverse.
In the meantime, however, the inordinate
growth Of any one Power is to be looked upon
as real source Of danger. Its certain effect
would be to foment heart-burnings and jeal-
ousies among the different Powers, and to keep
the entire continent In state Of continuous ex-
citement and terror. IT. in spite Of the civiliza-
ton Of the nineteenth century, the reign Of the
sword were 10 be resumed and might were TO
become right, the weaker Powers would have
good cause TO be alarmed for the continuance
Of their separate and Independent existence.
They would one by one be absorbed and al
though the conflict betwixt the greater Powers
might be long and doubtful, that very conflict
is the thing which the European populations
have occasion 70 dread. II would ruin their
property, crsmp their energies, decimate their
population, desolate their hearths, bring sorrow
to their homes, and throw their civilization
backwards for q long and indefinite period.
It's well, therefore, that a conference should
be preferred to an open appeal TO arms 1t
may be instrumental, not only in averting prcs-
ent dangers, but in establishing the peace Of
Europe ON more solid and enduring basis.
The treaties Of 1915, II was supposed, had, II
not permanently, at least for period Of indef.
mite length, settled the question Of the balance
Of power. France had been for season the
scourgc Of Europe. France was accordingly
narrowed in her boundaries, and in
variety Of ways crippled in her strength. The
events which have transpired within the last
lew years have TO many minds rendered \