The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-09-07

hlnu WISHES TO any RuQ every SUCCESSFUL
person in power, the French President
should put but little faith in the marks
Of apparent, favor and approval conferred
upon him by his fellow rulers. They
congratulate all in authority, from the
Gear of Russin to the President of tho
new French Republic. Louis. Napoleon
was quite as dear to tho crowned heads
as Bourbon, and they esteemed Serra-
no as highly as Isabella, and think as
much Of Amadeus aa thoy did of Maxi
milan. Genuine optimists are the
crowned rulers OF our day and genera
tion; thoy attest in practice their faith
in the maxim that whatever is. is right
Tho Gastein Conference is ut present
a subject which exercises the. minds Of
the quid nuncs in oil parts OF tho civil
lied world. The Emperors Of Germany
and Of Austria have met, apparently, for
friendly purposes. But when great
potentates como together, the world is
scarcely satisfied with the suggestion
that their motives, ore mostly those OF
friendship and respect. Something moro
serious is generally supposed to be within
the meaning OF the participants, and
how mankind may be affected by the
understandings which are arrived at in-
terest politicians very much. All that
we know is that these Emperors met,
and it has been suggested that the King
of Italy was invited to be present, but
declined. Indeed. it was said at ono
time that Italy was party to the under
standing Of Gastein, whatever that un.
derstanding may be. But if Italy was
not present, md now declares. ns she
seems to do semi.officially, that she took
no part III tho matter, curiosity is driven
to consideration of the probabilities in
relation to the subjects discussed and
the resolutions determined upon. What,
then, is the object of the Conference of
Gasteiu? Has there been consultation
upon any political subject interesting to
the people Of Enrope2 Have the poten-
tates who wore present resolved upon
anything? To all this, nothing is replied
but statements Of the guesses made by
the curious. Those persons who insist
that the conference must have had po-
litical Significance. jump to the concu-
sion that determinations were made
which menace the future peace Of Rus
sia. In confirmation OF this story. it is
said that Russia is'.'arming." But, as
Russia always is ''arming." and the
activity at her arsenals, barracks and
dock-yards is persistent and never ccns-
ing, very little is to be made out Of that
idea. Others say that it is Italy and the
status OF the Pope, which is to be settled
by the agreement Of these two Emperors.
But if the King of Italy was invited to
the conference and refused to partici.
pate, it is IN even chance that his action
was caused by belief that ho was not
particularly interested in tho object of
the discussion, or that he expected de-
cision adverse to his own desires. An
other party is firmly Of opinion TINT
England is now to be taken in hand by
tho continental powers. and, as England
has lost oil credit in Germany, md has
managed to discourage the friendship of
the smaller States. England might well
be the subject Of the malevolent consul
tation. Is it the Eastern question TINT
is to be settled? Perhaps not. What,
then. is there in the wind? Would it
not be more sensible to accept tho theory
That the declaration originally made,
that this Interview was in the interest OF
peace, in the hops Of coming to good
understanding between the powers con.
cerned without the necessity OF q treaty,
and that therefore the Conference OF
Gastein is for the benefit of mankind.
and not the fore-runner of another
bloody and wastefui war? In the absence
Of any authoritative knowledge. let US.
the Philadelphia Inquirer suggests, &C.
cept belief which is honorable to
human nature. Let rs believe that great
rulers know that happiness is best Sc
curod by peace, and are anxious to
a1>to;n AI,o{ 1,onoGt ~ $4,000.