Year: 1867

peace being preserved for few months longer,
which, from the character Of the recent news,
appears to be exceedingly doubtful.


The War Panic in Europe.


According to our latest kilograms the
Franco -Prussian question remains unchanged.
The other great Powers Of Europe have re-
newed their efforts to prevent the outbreak
Of hostilities. Napoleon is still willing TO
consent to . reasonable arrangement Bis
marck, however, il obstinate, as before. When
first the Luxembourg difficulty was mooted
between the two Powers Bismarck, We were
told, threatened to throw the onus Of the con-
sequences that might follow on Napoleon.
Napoleon, 1t IL not to be doubted, now
promises, without threat but by dexterous
management, 10 throw the onus Of possible
consequences on Bismarck. The game runs
high; the stakes become heavy; the
moves on both sides are skilfully
made; the world looks on with bated
breath. Some 60 in for Bismarck,
some for Napoleon. We 60 in for neither.
It is the excitement of the game, more than the
result Of which we are enamored. At the
same time we are not altogether Indifferent as
to consequences, nor are we in tho least unwill-
ing 70 confess that 1t will not surprise us If in
the long run the very skilfhl Prussian Premier
is caught mapping by the willy, watchfal, far
seeing ruler Of France. Bismarck has no doubt
been an apt scholar, but he was somewhat late
in n aksnev hio and olxy ho
matter for wonder if the long-practised hand
and eye of the master stood him in better stead
in the great crisis which seems to be approach
ing than the skilful though comparatively mex
perienced hand and eye Of the public.


We look on this question from an entirely
neutral and unprejudiced standpoint We
have no special likings or dislikings either
for France or Prussia, either for Napoleon
or Bismarck. We consider Napoleon, not
withstanding his many faults, to have
been perhaps the ablest and most in
telligent ruler Of his day-to have been, on
the whole, public benefactor and it is our
decided conviction that history will Judge him
kindly and grant him lofty and honorable
niche in the future temple of fame. We yield
to none in admiration Of the talents of Count
Bismarck. He certainly has not been without
his faults. Yet he has done good service to
the cause, not of Prussia only, but of the whole
Of Germany and if the time should ever come,
as come ii must, and that at no distant day,
when the unity Of Germany shall be no mere
poets dream, but realized and visible truth,
the name of Bismarck will be enshrined in the
nations living heart. We have no desire to
see France shorn Of her strength We have
ever been anxious to see Germany unity made
an accomplished fact. It Is neither, therefore,
in pro-French nor pro-German spirit that
we write when we state that this Luxemburg
question is too paltry an affair to justify col
lision between two such Powers as France and
Prussia


Napoleon, who has an eye 70 the future, as
well as TO the present. and who never allows
himself to become Indifferent to the Judgment
Of posterity, rightly estimates the present
crisis and is willing to accept reasonable
compromise. Bismarck, on the other hand, Is
too keen, and in his anxiety to clutch a pos
sible present advantage he sacrifices certain
and infinitely greater gain in the future. The
Germans are not better prepared for defensive
than the French are eager for an aggressive
war. If the love of Fatherland is strong in
the one case, the pride Of military renown is
strong in the other. Prussia is doubtless strong
in herself. and has made herself stronger by
the alliances which she has formed with the
other German States; but the new German
machine which Count Bismarck has invented is
complex and unwieldy. and as yet untested by
other hand, is powerful unit, not without war
experience, and moves like living frame, and
with terrible energy, under the guidance und
control of potent central will. The Emperor,
besides, by the cautious policy he is now fol-
lowing. is creating for himself powerful
public sympathy among the people OF other
nations, and when delay is no longer possible
and the signal is given to strike, France will
spring to The summons, and the name and
dynasty Of Napoleon will be found to be more
popular than ever. We do not say that IL il
should come 10 blows France must win; but
we do say that Bismarck plays "a bold and
hazardous game in refusing all compromise.


Diausssd Cut Diamond Cannon Council


and the Legislature.


The Legislature which has just adjourned at
Albany was very sharp body. The manner
in which il managed to spring traps and
astonish the unwary by unexpected legislation