Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-07-04
FROM LONDON.
ICOrre'pondenoo of the Ohio state.man.l ]

| 81 LONDON, June 20, 1868.
AS we review the present political state
OF Europe, the most striking feature which
presents itself to our mental eye is the un-
settled state of the French Empire, in spite
OF Napoleon's assertions in favor of peace
and the loud cries of the press that France
IS afraid of nobody. To get a thorough in
sight into the real state of affairs there, we
have only to look at the proceedings of the
French Chambers and compare the results
obtained during the present session OF
those bodies with those of other countries
in Europe. During this parliamentary
year the representatives of the States that
constitute the Austrian Empire have de-
termined the relations which are to be the
Federal bond with the slaves, the Austrians
and the Magyars. They have discussed and
voted the Constitution, of which liberty is
not the summit, but the foundation, and
they have established and resolved in prin-
ciple the problem of the separation of
Church and State. The representatives of
North Germany have likewise framed a
Constitution, made treaties with foreign
powers and regulated the commercial re-
lations of Germany with the same; they
have improved the system OF internal
taxation and have finally laid the founda-
tion of closer consolidation, which is cal
culated to give the same political
tone to fifty millions of population
The Parliamentary discussions in our
own city about the separation of
Church and State are sufficiently
known to the reader abroad not to require
leiteration at this place and in the interna-
tional quarrel which Great Britain had
been involved in with Abyssinia, this gov
ernment and this country have come off
victorious, owing to the energetic meas
ures adopted by the ministry, and sup
ported by the peoples representatives, and
to the valor and endurance of the British
army. During the same period the repre-
sentatives of the French people have dis
cussed and voted law permitting the
augmentation of the army; law giving to
the nation the rightof printing everything
save matters relating to private life, attacks
on religion, attacks on the authorities, etc.;
a law placing public meetings under the
supervision of the police; law on rail-
ways, one on telegraps, and divers others.
OF merely local character. 1t is true that
Italy, Spain and Greece are behind France.
The Italian nation is evidently not ripe for
a representative government; that country
is still suffering of an evil which is usually
only found in half-civilized countries, such
as Mexico or the Ottoman empire. 1 mean
the numerous, banditti who infest the roads
and cities, and who have, of late, become
more than usually troublesome. The vacil-
lating character of King Victor Emanuel,
the anomalous and quasi temporary posi-
ton of the Pope in Rome, together with
the presence of French bayonets in what
should be the capital of Italy. does not
contribute either to make the prospects
for that country's future any more bright
than they have been this past year.
The Sultan of Turkey is probably watt
ing for the arrival of Prince Napoleon at
his capital before deciding about any def
mite action in the reorganization of his en-
pire. He makes speeches which would
make believe that he favors reform, but
none but such as are totally ignorant of
Eastern politics, would ever believe that
this is his real intention, and if it was, his
plans would not be carried out without
foreign assistance, which would probably
result in the final and total dissolution of
the Ottoman empire. In the capital of the
Sultan's great enemy, Russia, the rejoicing
is great on account of the official reports
having reached the Government of the Gar
about the capture of Bokhara and Samar-
cand. Official papers are endeavoring to
Impress the minG of the public with the
idea that the new territorial acquisition is
to the Government rather
than otherwise; that no invasion was ever
Intended, and that the commanding Rus
'ian General in those quarters has acted
under the pressure of circumstances, and
been compelled to advance in order to pre-
vent the natives from invading Russian
territory. We all know how much faith
We can put in such assertions, and nothing
$ left to the European powers, and espe-
,ially to this country which ismore imme-
lately interested in Russian progress to
;he East, but to take the conquest as an
fact, to watch the perform
lnces of the Russians in Central Asia more |
closely than we have done thus far, and to
Use the necessary precautions against r US
ian invasion of our Indian em pire.
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