The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-03 00:00:00

RUSSIAN AGGRESSION.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
In the fifty-third year of the nineteenth century,
in the name of religion ! the chief of crowned des-
pots issues forth from his lair as a thief and a rob-
ber. To increase his wealth and possessions, like
many other people, he assumed a very religious
appearance, and urged the possession of a right to
govern those amongst the poor Sultan's subjects
who hang their faith on. the Greek Church, of
which he is 'looked upon as the ostensible head !
We have fallen certainly on very delightful times,
when the sharp gentleman at the head of Russian
affairs can place all Europe by the ears, and work
the wily diplomatic body almost to death, in an
endeavour to arrange a matter which more becomes
the office of police than the duty of so valuable an
adjunct to our civilisation ! Is it true, gentle
reader, that in the prime of life of this our 19th
century—the most refined and progressive of all
the centuries that have gone before it—that the
grasping spirit and passion of one poor human
being, " clothed in a little brief authority," can
embroil millions of men in a war, in the result of
which he alone is interested ! _ _

Whilst, perhaps we are writing, the worthy
Czar " of all the itussias" is—mark it !—for the
cause of Religion !—shedding the innocent blood
of thousands who fight in defence of their own
land, and to eject the armed hordes of a man whose,
performances would put the loweAt amongst us, pro-
fessing some claim to honesty, to the blush. In
this Muscovite quarrel the poor Sultan deserves
every help from all true men, not on religious
grounds, but in the name of justice. Mussulman
as he is, his character throughout the affair shines
to advantage. Mussulman as he is, he respected
virtue and true nobility when it fell under his pro-
tection in 1848, and the Russian, we have no
doubt, cannot forget it. Mussulman as he is,
there is far more of " religions liberty" amongst
his numerous subjects than throughout the whole
of Russia and the rest of the Continent of Europe.

We feel firmly convinced that, on the outbreak
of a war between Russia and Turkey, the sword,
under the influence of a different spirit, will he
unsheathed in other lands. By the sword alone
does bankrupt Austria exist ! By the sword alone
are the poor Poles and Hungarians trodden down.
By the sword alone can despairing Italy be kept
writhing in her chains, and by the sword only can
the Czar keep what he already possesses. The
concentration of the Russian forces along the banks
of the Danube has and will still further weaken
his position in other parts—so much so, that a fresh
and heavier levy is being made amongst his sub-
jects for fighting men. By the conscription, youths
of sixteen ! are being dragged from their rude
homes, and from the rough but tender hearts of
their parents, to do the bloody work of a being
undeserving the title of human.
The Czar's position is a most hazardous one—he
is left to make half-a-dozen moves at once on this
European chess-board, whereof his pawns are men !
His opponents are not alone on the Turkish fron-
tier, but extend along the Persian borders, and an
enormous body of the Arabs, together with the
Circassians, will pour down such a force upon him,
that we tremble to think of the consequences to his
poor soldiers, who are fighting for no principle but
for the aggrandisement of one cold-blooded, despotic
man.

If we turn back to the Continent, its con-
dition and aspect at the present moment is
indeed one for deep and thoughtful reflection.
Whichever way we turn, the appearances are
far from cheering. The continental nations
are borne down by the priest, the Jesuit, and the
despot ; and these. damning fetters. were more
firmly forged at the conclusion of the struggle for
freedom in 1848. Englishmen must blush to think
that in this " enlightened age" there are to be
found any who can think, speak, and act the
things done by the Continental Powers. We
need hardly be surprised at rumours of out-
break, and attempts to assassinate the " powers
that be," if it be borne in remembrance that,
through the direst wrongs in the shape of oppres-
sion, have foreigners been driven to attempt, as a,
holy thing, the annihilation of the cause of this woe
and sorrow. These unworthy " crowned" heads
of Europe must cease asking England to give up
any who seek a refuge within her bosom for pro-
fessing opinions and principles in opposition to des-
potism, and its agent, the sword. Old England
must stand nobly erect, remembering her Hamp-
den, Cromwell, and others of a kindred spirit, and
receive all that run towards her for protection,
whether they be king or democrat.
Too true 'is it that this land of ours forms alone
the home of liberty. Here may breathe freely, the
truest aspirations of the heart, untrammelled.
Whilst the voice of the people finds some echo in
the Senate, England will continue to advance and
assert her dignity in brighter and broader laws.