The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-31
The Foreign News-Progress OF the Russian
Hmplre--Decline and Fall OF European
Btates-Their Only Probable Hope.


Btates-Their Only Probable Hope.
We give in our columns, to-day the details of
the European intelligence received by the steam.
ship Cambria, the mails by that vessel having
been received here last night, by express mall
This intelligence Is not very important but it is
Interesting, in various points of view. The atti-
'ude which the Emperor Nicholas has assumed to-
wards Turkey, and the whole South of Europe, is
pregnant with Importance.
A keen sighted observer of recent Transatlantic
events can trace startling analogy between the
relative position of the South of Europe TO tn.
great power of the North, and the position of the
same countries during the decline Of the Roman
empire. We think this may be made evident by
brief argument.
The seeds Of decay are sown thick in every state
Of Europe, except Russia. There is other, we
believe, that has not already-most of them long
sgo-reached its summit of power, and entered on
Its decedence. Europe has just passed through
general CONFUSION; and 1t is even yet doubtful
whether ii was the electric flash of new life or the
first shudder of approaching dissolution. But it is
nearly certain that, before regeneration can take
place, the corrept form must decay. Decomposi-
ton has penetrated too deep, and a period of
chaos may be the necessary interval TO complete
restoration.
Greece was the earliest of the nations, which
are now in existence in Europe, TO receive civil-
cation, and che was the first to 90 to decay. For
several centuries she 1ourshed in commerce, arts
arms-she civilized Rome, and at last became
one of her provinces Rome spread her do
minion from the Thames TO the Ganges. For
twelve hundred years her empire remained I'M
broken. But at last, corruption worked her rum,
and when the swarm Of Northern barbarans
came down on the South, the old race of Romans
was dead, and over their degenerate successors
the surges Of barbarism rolled. From the colos-
sal ruin of Rome sprang up the modern system OF
States. Not less than two hundred separate 60
vernments arose, which in the progress of time
were consolidated into the powerful empires of
modern Europe, known as Portugal, Spain,
France, Germany, Russia, Poland, Holland, the
Italian States, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Tur.
key, Austria, Prussia, England, and score or
two Of minor powers.
AT different periods great conquerors appeared,
who grasped after universal domnon-Charle-
magne, Charles ", Francis l., soman, Charles
XII, and at last Napoleon, who nearly accom-.
plished his object. The repose into which Europe
settled after the downfall Of Bonaparie, remained
almost unbroken for thirty years, or more. A
new race of men had appeared on the stage, and
some three years ago, when Plus TX. began the
last great revolutionary movement which has con-
vulsed all Europe, the way was prepared for new
and mighty change in the social and polite con-
dnon of the old world.
Spain and Portugal had gone through fruitless
and sanguinary struggles; but chaos seemed to be
the only result Poland had already been swaL-
lowed IN the great political maelstrom Of Europe
Russia. Undsturbed by the great events which
had electrified the rest Of the world, abolished
monarchy in France, set up repubhcanism in
Italy, and unsettled thrones throughout the con-
tnent, the Emperor Of Russia calmly survey
ed the storm, and occupied himself only in
studying how he could turn the universal ag-
tauon to his own advantage. An opportunity
occurred IN the case Of Hungary; and just as that
gallant nation had achieved her independence, all
the force Of his empire hurled into the contest
and Hungary was crushed. BY this Intervention,
Austria was saved to all appearances; Hungary
became another Poland, and so firm grasp did
the Car fasten on Austria herself, that he became
her MASTER and now controls her fortunes. Nj
cholas also grasped OF Turkey; but France and
England, alarmed at the spread OF his power,
unite to arrest hrs progress, and fleet in the OAR
danelles drives back the ambitious monarch. lie
then turns his attention in another quarter, where
he sees danger. Prussia, perceTing that Austria
had lost her independence, and trembling for her
own, tried the experiment Of interpreting barrier
20 the progress Of Russia, by consolidating Ger
man confederation. Austria, who had not been
fully consulted in the matter, at the bidding OF
Russia, enters her protest to this new dangerous
alliance, because il would offend Russia; and 1t
should never be forgotten after this, that by calling
in the aid Of Russia, IN the Hungarian struggle,
Austua has become but province OF the Car.
IIeEceforward her acts may be regarded as his.
Now what is the aspect Of Europe, by the
last arrivals Plainly this that the empire
Of Russia, which begirs the entire globe, armed
with nearly million and half OF soldiers, all OF
whom move st the bidding Of the Gar, and COM
passed Of some fifty millions Of rude, streng, un-
,nervated, halt ferocious men, who are yet to be
civilized and all moving at the nod OF single
man, and this man cool, clear. headed, bold, am
bilious, end grssping, with all but Inexhaustlble
treasures at his disposal, enters the lists against
score Of old, decrepd, decaycd, efete nations,
which have long been willing down under the
en,rvstng Influences Of monarchy, blgoiry, and
luxury, The parallel may be seen very closely
between this state Of things, and that which i'm.
nsdiaiey preceded the fall Of the Roman empire;
and It ls more fearful There are mightier IN
huences at the Nsrth. and the South IL weaker
Ia Russia there are ffy millions Of men, and two
millions Of uuskets, all moving IN harmony,
under the eoBirol q the unresisteG will Of single
man. In the South there is the same number OF
musk etc and men bu, they constitute distracted
end feeble force These men have fifty masters,
sad these muskets FIVE thousand commanders