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


French that there was no reason to apprehent
any interruption in the continuance OF th'
peaceful relations now existing between th'
several powers and peoples of Europe. Tit
alarm had somewhat subsidized by the confer
ence of sovereigns at Paris, only to be revived
again, however, by the recent meeting OF tn
two Emperors at Salzburg, and the many ru
mors this tete-a-tete has given rise to. NApo
LEON, however, has taken the earliest opportu
nifty of reassuring the world that his intentions
are altogether peaceful. The King of Prussia
in like manner, has taken pains to inform hi
subjects that the foreign relations of Prussis
and of the North German Confederation are al
together satisfactory and that no war is to bs
apprehended
And vet the world is not satisfied. The
very fact of these asseverations being deemed
necessary by these two crowned heads
argues an anxious feeling Of insecurity
and apprehension, which, it is manifest, may
at any time lead to great European war. In,
deed, if these royal assurances are carefully
studied, something Of mental reservation may
always be discovered, justifying reasonable
degree at least ofpublic apprehension. AS long
as the preparations for war being carried 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
dants of the good and patient subjects to whom
they are addressed.
Austria also has disayowed any hostile intent
toward Prussia in the Salzburg Conference.
Still it is certain that NAPOLEON and JOSEPH
have entered into closer relations than they
were in before; and even though ne cannot yet
say that an alliance, offensive and defensive,
has been entered into by these two sovereigns,
it appears acknowledged by the Vienna press
that they have united on fixed policy, which,
for its end has the prevention of the unifca-
ton of Germany. If this is SO, it must needs
exercise an influence prejudicial to the best
interests of Germany, and will in all proba-
bility be met by Prussia with direct effort to
counteract it, viz: by endeavoring to ALLEVIATE
and sever from Austria her German Provinces
And this she will find comparatively easy
task, for the feeling of nationality burns strong
in every German breast. There are few edu-
Gated Germans in any part of the mother coun-
try, and perhaps none, educated or uneducated,
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-Germanism," as this thirst for ma
tionality is called, is not mere dream, it is
living principle, and ere long must and viii as
sert itself. Whether Prussia shall or shall not
continue to remain the controlling power Of the
new nation, or Confederation of States, is 8
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 disavowal of all
right to interfere in German matters, the peace
between the two nations cannot be said to rest
on u secure foundation.
The Treaty of Prague is to be used by
France and Austria as the break with which to
Keep Prussia in check, and repress her en-
leavors to unite the several parts of Germany
nto homogeneous whole. The cline of the
Main" is the new Rubicon, beyond which Prus-
ian influence shall not pass. But this is SIM
,ly an sbsurdity. simultaneously almost with
he enactment of the Treaty of Prague, Prus-
ia made separate treaties with the several
states of South Germany, Baden, Wurtemberg, |
Bavaria, and Hesse Darmstadt, these same
states south Of the eMain line'-by virtue of
which treaties Prussia secured for herself ab- |
olute control Of the military power Of these
states. subsequently, as is well known, by |
means of the Zollyerein, Prussia established |
commercial bond, and a unity of in
crest in trade, which cannot but en-
arge her influence in these South German
States. In all essentials, therefore, Prussian |
influence already extends from the North Sea |
Ind the Baltic. to the Alps and the Lake of
Constance; and France and Austria, even
hough aided by the intrigues of parties at the
BETTY South German courts, will find it no
,asy matter, either to undo what has already
,een accomplished, or even to stay the further
of this an-germanizing movement
Prussia, it is true, has not much to expect |
rom the South German Governments, Baden
llone excepted Those of Hesse, Wurtemberg
md Bavaria, true to that universal instinct in |
nature, self-preser7ation, are mainly intent on
he preservation of their sovereignty. They
ire, therefore, we'll pleased to have the jealousy
'oiat d'appm: and even the BaYarian Prime |
Minister, Prince HoHENLoHE, who at first mani |
'ested views Of more liberal character now |
lolds that the first aim of Bavarian policy must
De to keep her sovereignty intact. South Ger
many, therefore, be says, cannot, must not, |
enter the North German Confederacy He adj |
vocatea species of union among the South |
German States, and then very loose sort of |
tie between them and the North German Con-
Iederacy. This is to be taken into oonsidera-
lion 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. 1t will thus be seen that the |
opponents of Prussia, no less than her friends,
Ill agree as to the Importance, the necessity of |
some bond OF other representnga community |
If German interest. According to this Bavarian |
plan, two Parliaments are to deliberate on Ger |
nan matters and legislate for the country, and |
. dual Executive, composed of South and |
North German elements, is to carry out the |