The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-21
New York, Saturday, April IL, IS49.
Attitude and Designs of Russia-A New
Movement I'm Civilization.

Attitude and Designs of Russia-A New
Movement In Civilization.
American journalists are too much in the habit
of regarding European affairs and European politics
through the false medium of the London news
papers. This error has been committed by some
of our contemporaries, in their speculatons in refe
renee to the present attitude and probable policy OF
Russia. Thus we have met in several journals in
this country, trades about the grasplng despotlsm
of the autocrat, and the imminent danger with
which his selfish policy of extension and aggran-
drzement threatens Western Europe, almost as
vehement, and certainly as grandiloquent, any
that have appeared in the columns of the British
newspaper press. The views of some of
temporaries with respect to the character of the
Emperor himself, and the sway which he exercises
over his people, also appear to be secondhand;
and are, at all events, loose, vague, and more or
less erroneous. sort of Evolutionary idea of the
awfully tyrannous and barbara power of the En-
peror has been transmitted from generation to
another; and he has thus become the " raw-head-
and-bloody- bones," the ogre of ale-house poll
tcians and weak, unlnformed minds on the other
side of the Atlantic. There obvious reasons
why the journalists of the British metropolis should
cherish these fears and preudices, and inveigh
against the successful prosecution of the Russian
policy Here, the subject should be studied from
an independent position, and in an impartial
light
The individual who now wears the imperial crown
of Russia is a most remarkable man. An anec-
dote related by Mr. Buchanan the late Secretary of
State illustrates striking the strongPer-
ceptive powers and practical good sense of the En-
peror. Walking morning in the public gardens
of st. Petersburgh, Mr.. Buchanan accosted by
he Emperor, who accompanied by one of his
sons, and only single attendant. There was no
more show ceremony in the public appearance
of the Emperor, than there is In the case of the
President of our republic. The people, as he pass
ed, salsted him by taking off their hats, and he ac
knowledged the salutation by similar simple act
of courtesy. He asked our countryman if he had
any news from the United States and Mr.. Bucha-
nan made some appropriate reply. The converse
ton was then turned by the Emperor to the gene
raj condition of the great Western republic, and that
ofhis own country. His remarks evinced an init
mate acquaintance with the character of our nsti-
tutons and the and prospects of the Uni
ted States. AT length after speaking of the agtat-
ed and troubled state of Europe, and the rising of
that revolutionary tide of which the distant MUIR
murs were then just beginning to be heard, he ex-
claimed: " All sir your government and mine are
the strongest and safest in the world for in both
there is but one sovereign There was no little
sound philosophy in this remark. In the United
States there is, in the best and highest sense the
autocracy of one will
There can be no question that the great leading
object with Russia at this moment, is the possess
sion Of the Ottoman capital. That has long been a
darling project. The conquest of the Turkish en-
pire has been traditionary object of Russian am
bitlon. Censtantinope, it has been well said, is
to the Russian the Land of Promise. The con-
quest of the ancient Byzantium gilds the ambitious
visions Of the army-gratifes the pride of the no
bilty-and largely administers to the pious aspira-
tions of the clergy. 1t is easy to perceive, by
ference to the course pursued by Russia for many
years past, that she has never lost sight of this
grand object, and steadily pursued it, with
an undertaking unity of design. AT this
moment, circumstances strongly favor the de-
signs of Russia. England is in very critical
condition. France is not prepared to interpose.
Disorder and distraction pervade the continental
states and kingdoms Russia, herself, possesses
gigantic strength. In little more than half CEN
tury she has doubled the extent of her territorial
domain, added thirty-four millions to her popula-
ton, accumulated untold treasures, constructe
and organised vast navy, and become the first
military power of Europe. All this fills the minds
OF European nations with fearful apprehension.
The journals Of the British metropolis are full of
forebedngs and alarm, melted by the present atti.
tude of Russia, and the manifestations Other future
policy.
Now, how should we regard this progress of Rus
STA towards the accomplishment of her long-che.
rished design Suppose Russia should subugate
Turkey in Europe, and, passing over into ASIA
prosecute her conquests would the result be disas
trous to civilization and humanity Would the
subsection of the ancient abodes of learning and
civilization in the East, to this great Northern
believe that il would be calamity. On the con-
trary we are inclined to think that in this onward
movement of Russia which must, to all appearance
now, sooner later end in the conquest of the
Ottoman empire may be discemed the tokens of |
the speedy extinction of that system of idolatry,
superstition and semi-barbarsm which has couded |
The destnes of Asia for so long period. The
barbarous anatclsm Of the Turks can be extermi-
mated only by war Of sem-religious conquest.
Just by such rude discipline as that of the Rus
sian sword, can such system Of inhumaoity. bar.
barism, and false religion, as that of the Turkish
empire, be extirpated and the elements of cv;l;za-
ton and the Christian faith be introduced IN TIA
stead England has failed to propagate Chris.
tianity in India, because her conquest of that
portion Of Asia purely a CONNIE rcial |
conquest II is true that some Of the more |
revolving features of the Hndoo religion
have been destroyed; but the natives have been