The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-07-31
The Miuor Powers of Europe.

Or THE smaller forces Of Europe, Italy, the
most important, has already proclaimed her
intention of maintaining strict neutrality in
the event of war breaking out between France
and Prussia and this is perhaps surer indi-
cation than any other Of the approaching con-
fict. We cannot, however, help thinking that
the ostentation with which she has done so is
proof of some latent hostility to Louis Napo-
leon, and that she will seize on any opportu-
nifty presented by general breach of the
peace for obtaining that possession of Rome of
which he has lately done so much to deprive
her. Should Prussia maintain her position in
any struggle with Louis Napoleon, the Ita-
ians, in fact, are most likely to be found
fighting on her side, for they are at present
chafpg at the humiliating subsection in which
he has long held their country, and painting
for the acquisition of that capital which was so
long the seat of their past glory, and which
they look forward to as that OF their future re-
nown.
AS for the poor old Pope himself his days
appear to be drawing to an end and with them
the existence of the throne of St. Peter. 1t
has, to be sure, seen the nativity of all the
monarchies of Europe, but We cannot with
Nacaulay, believe that it will survive their
fall. It's destruction will probably be stimuli
taneous, for at tile neat revolution III Europe
and revolution is almost certain there on
the death of Louis Napoleon, or any calamity
befalling hints temporal power will as
suredly be overthrown by the Italian repub-
licans. Its spiritual dominion, however, may
ha 4bI,o onlxy tha fva in,
breasts of men; though Catholicism at Malta,
Jerusalem, in America, or wherever the Holy
Father may choose to fix himself, will be a
very different thing from what it is now in
Rome.
The attempts making on Spain by the Duke
of Montpensier We cannot help considering as
infamous. Notwithstanding all that has been
said against her, the late Queen OF Greece, and
the deceased Queen of Naples, we think it is
questionable whether the conduct of Isabella
has been whit more Objectionable than that
of Eugene, or even of the Queen of England
herself; and it must be remembered, in her
eXtenuatiOn, that she was notoriously pro-
vided with husband by Louis Philippe, this
Duke of Montpensier's father, who was sup
posed to be incapable of securing heirs to the
throne. The children which she has since had,
however, are now as legitimate as those of
Victoria herself; and how desirable soever it
may be to see republican institutions ulti-
mately established in Spain, we should be
sorry to see the present sovereign SO! aside by
the corrupt and corrupting influence attendant
on a renewal of the base policy of Louis
Philippe.
The Am erican republic alone maintains its
ascendancy amidst these quivering and totter-
ing powers; and though momentarily shaken
| by the recent Rebellion, its foundations alone
are firmly fixed. Like Washington, it may
have its imitators, but it can never have its
equals; inasmuch as, like that immortal foun-
der of our national greatness, it was the first
to exhibit disinterestedness and equity in the
government of man. We had once hopes of
seeing similar system established in Aus
tralia, and posterity may one day witness the
United States OF Europe; but the United States
OF America seemingly will long remain the
brightest republic that ever glittered in
the sun.