The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-05-18

and Germany very discontented. The quarrel
is only postponed, not finally settled; very
much rs used to be the case with the compro-
misses hatched up from time to time in our own
past history Luxembourg is to remain NEUTRAL
and, as heretofore, under the dominion OF the
King of Holland, entirely free from influence
or interference on the part of Germany. Prus-
sia is to evacuate this stronghold and the for
tifcations are to be rased. Prussia, of course,
is muttering her discomfort, for the evacuation
of Luxembourg at the bidding of foreign Powers
can only be regarded as humiliation by the
Prussians. Germany feels piqued at the loss OF
province that for centuries has belonged to the
nation, is peopled by Germans, and has given
dynasty of Emperors to the country Lux
emburg itself is not at all pleased, because the
garrison was one of the chief sources of rev.
enue to the people of that little city. And II
they are to be excluded from the ZoHrsTe'a
as will in all probability be insisted on py
France the little province will sink down into
utter insignifcance and lose the little com
mercial prosperity it has hitherto enjoyed.
For. shut in between France, Belgium anu
Prussia, and not permitted to enjoy any recip-
rocity of trade, it will soon revert to conai-
tion of feudal civilization.
But strange to soy France is not satisfied
Yet this is not strange, for 1t is well known
that the demand for s'rectification OF the
Rhine frontier" Inst year, and the intrlgues
about Luxembourg, had the same cause anu the
same end, viz: jealousy of the growing power
of Germany, and desire for corresponding
compensation to France from some quarter OF
other. Luxembourg. was but the cantering
wedge. No sooner had BISMARCK intlmatea
that Prussia would evacuate that fortress,
than the French papers began to mint that
Mentz also must be dismantled, and Ulm anu
Rastadt and Landau and Germersheim. There
was some show of reason for the objection on
the part of France to Prussia's continuing 10
hold Luxembourg, when the latter was no
longer in political union with Germany. but
how with the two last named fortified towns
They are undoubtedly German, situated IN terri
tory belonging to Bavaria, and have all along
been German Federal. fortresses. All, but
thew are on the left bank of the Rhine. True,
and they were built for the very purpose OF
keepinp the French from that part OF the Ter
man river But why should Prussia eyaclate
Ulm and Rastadt, both situated to the right
of the Rhine, and at considerable distance
from its banks! And Mentz, one OF the most
| important strategic points of the country, The
kew to the lower Rhine! Prussia would as
soon think of yielding Berlin as evacuate or
| dismantle Mentz.
There is only one way of settling oil these
little disputes, and we are sorry to think that
it is not by diplomacy and Peace Congresses
but by needle guns, iron-clads apd bard knocks
The blood of both nations is up, and although
| war has been ayerted for the present, we have
little doubt that another year will find these
neighboring and riyulling peoples opposed in
hostile array France is not ready to fight at
present, and thus favored an amieabls settle
| ment. She had neither arms enough nor men,
her finances are not in good condition, and her
! internal policy is far from popular Prussia
also, though perhaps mqsse fesdy for war; has
| much to gain from delay Austria wqqs dig
posed 10 occupy q hostile attitude The South
German States, though boRRd 10 Prussia by
treaties of alliance, and nominaily Epder The
same military leadership, ore not yet one with
Prussia at heart The people generally are
"national" in sentiment, and will support
Prussia asaia,t France, but the courts would
appear to have yielded to ihe Establishments
| of French intrigue, supported as they were IN
! this by Austrian countenance. Another twelve
months may effect great changes in the inter
nal poIty of Germany, a44 offer France
stronger and more united front.
France, in the days of the first revolution. be-
came intoxicated with military successes, from
which she has not yet recovered; and
much of her present pretension appears to be
based upon that traditional prestige. Bmt France
then was the champion of liberty, the apostle
of freedom in feudal age, and her captains,
kind ..lf political missionaries, were hailed by
the oppressed of ali rati9ns But i: is other
wise now. The France of today caanol be
held up as an example Of free country, or a
constitutional Government. Far from it. The
government of NAPOLEON is looked upon as an
unmitigated decpotism by many of the
French people, and as having = grasping am
bition to enlarge the borders Of France, apd
thus purchase, as it were, by a Fictitious lus-
tire, the applause of tickle and versatile peO-
pie, whose conteptment and affection he has
been unable to secure for his measures of in
ternal policy.
We may thus expect q continuation of the
jealousies and chickering's between France and
PRUSSIA with which the press of the two nonn-
tries hos been teeming during the past six
months. Indeed, we fear the quasi settlement
patched up by the London Congress will only
make matters worse. And, inasmuch as these
events and their moro disastrous consequences
are unavoidable, we shall not indulge in idle
regrets