AUSTRIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XII, Issue 703, 3 August 1859, Page 3

AUSTRIA.

{ The Emperor of Austria, in a lengthy " Imperial Manifesto to My People," says : — " My,conscience being at rest, I can look up to an omnipotent God and patiently ay/ait His award. With confidence I leave my decision to the impartial judgment of contemporaneous and future generations. Of the approbation of my faithful ,subjects I am sure." He'refers to the last war with Sardinia,' and claims credit for having be.Hayed, generously to the vanquished. "The reward fqr .such unexampled forbearance was an immediate continuation of enmity which increased from year to year, and perfidious agitation against ■ the peace and .welfare of my Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom., The hand of peace, which I in all sincerity extended, and which was taken, appearsd to me to be a sufficient guarantee. The blood which my army shed for the honor and right of Austria I sacrificed on the altar of peace." The mediation of England failed "in consequence of the unacceptableness of the conditions on which Sardinia made her consent dependent. Only one means of maintaining peace remained. I addressed myself directly to the Sardinian Government, and summoned it to place its army on a peace footing, and to disband the free corps. As Sardinia did not accede to my demand, the moment for deciding the matter by an appeal to arms has arrived. I have ordered my army to enter Sardinia. lam aware of the vast importance of the measure, and if ever my duties as a monarch weighed heavily on me it is at this moment. War is the scourge of mankind. I see with sorrow that the lives and property of thousands of my subjects are imperilled, and deeply feel what a severe trial war is for my realm, which, being occupied with its internal development, greatly requires the continuance of peace. But the heart of the monarch must be silent at the command of honor and duty. On the frontiers is an armed enemy, who, in alliance with the revolutionary party/openly announces his intention to obtain possession of the dependencies of Austria in Italy. To support him, the ruler over France, —who, under' futile pretexts (wicJitige vorwdnde) interferes in the legally established relations of -the Italian Peninsula, —has set his troops in movement. Detachments of them have already crossed the frontiers of Sardinia. The crown which I received without spot or blomish from my forefathers has already seen trying times. The glorious history of our country gives evidence that Providence, when there is a foreshadowing that the greatest good of humanity is in danger of being overthrown in Europe, .has frequently used the sword of Austria in order to dispel that shadow. We are again on ftie eve of such period. The overthrow of the things that be is not only aimed at~by factions but by' thrones. The sword which I have been forced to draw is sanctified, inasmuch as it is a defence for the honour and rights of all people and states, and for. all that is held most dear by humanity. To you, my people, whose devotion to the hereditary reigning ifamily may serve as a mode] for all the nations of the earth, I now address myself. In the conflict which has commenced you will stand by me with your oft-proved fidelity and devotion. To your sons, whom I have taken into the ranks of the army, I, their commander, Send my martial greeting, (waffengruss) . With pride you may regard them, for the eagle of Austria will, with their support, soar high. Our struggle is a just one, and we begin it ,with courage and confidence. We hope, however, that we shall not sjtand alone in it. The soil on .which we have to do battle was made fruitful by the blood lost by our German brethren when they won those bulwarks which they have maintained up to the present day. There the crafty enemies of Germany ■ have generally begun their game, when they have wished to break her internal power. The feeling that such a danger is now imminent prevails in all parts of Germany, from the hut to the throne, from one frontier to the other. I speak as a sovereign member of the Germanic Confederation when I call attention to the common danger, and recall to memory the glorious times in which Europe had to thank the general and fervent enthusiasm of Germany for its liberation. " For God and fatherland!" .