The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-06-26
The Russian Invasion.
NJ A"ssidn 4nvaS1o on.
we come. we come as our fathers came
In the ages long gone by;
we come, and our keen swords brightly flash.
Like meteOrs in tho xky.

| riOm lH6 plains OF the broad Ckain
| q, sweepping each foe from our path of blood.
| Cossack Song of lsl4-'15.
The late ukase of the Russian Emperor, the
march of the Russian armies into Gallicia and
| Pennsylvania and the battles which have already
been fought, have precipitated the general Euro
| pean war, whose speedy approach has been for
| some time evident. For more than year there
| have been frequent skrmshes of the outposts
| The crash of battalions and armies has at last
| commenced. The war is begun in earnest. Lib
eralism and Absolutism have arrayed their forces
against each other for the final and decisive strug
gle The Russian Intervention has determined the
character of the contest. 1t is to be war not
only of Despoism against Democracy, not only of
Princes against their rebelous People, but of Bar
barism against Civilization. 1t is to be decided
whether the political philosophy and faith of the
18th century to be annihilated, the progress of
human IDEAS turned backwards, and Europe to
return to the feudalism of the 18Th century This
is the issue which Western Europe has to meet;
this is the fate TO which her own kings have devo-
ted her. 1t is not merely to reduce Hungary to
obedience to the House of Hapsburg that the Rus
sian armies have crossed the Vistua. Austria was
always the outpost and bulwark of civilized Eu-
rope against the Turks and the Russians. The
Gar therefore can have no wish to aggrandize
and consolidate her power. He has other objects
in view, which are Swallowed forth in his mani
festo. In that document he says that his object is
to tranquilize Western Europe and reinsate legiti
mate authority. No other inference can be drawn
from it. What is this but declaration Of war
against Democracy! What is it but crusade
against the political faith to which civilization
has given birth The Gar looks on the entrance
into Hungary as the commencement of march to
the Rhine and to Paris itself. The Cossacks still
remember the campaigns of 18l4-'l5, and long for
the soft climate and fertile plains of the south
They too have faith but it consists in blind
worship OF the Emperor, and fixed idea that the
Russian flag is destined one day to wave over every
part OF the European continent. Thus this is not
mere war for the grandeur of monarchs or to
crafty the ambition of one nation but it is con-
fiict between two antagonistcal ideas, whose ex-
preston has brought them in conflict.
The war is begun, and Hungary is the first
battle ground. But the French Democrats do not
wish to avoid the combat. They see that the
ukuse of Nicholas is a declaration of war against
them and their principles. They therefore call
upon the government TO a bold position,
and to take energetic measures in the emergency
which has arisen. In the Assembly resolution
was offered equal to proclamation of war against
Austria and Russia. 1t was supported with all the
eoquence of Rollin, Flocon, Jolly and Serrans; but
the conservative majority too timid to adopt so
bold course. The resolution was rejected and a
substitute offered by Gen. Cavaignac adopted in its |
place. But must come! No earthly power /
can prevent it. Should the efforts of conservatives
keep it of, until the Russians have passed the |
Rhine, the reaction against them would be more
terrible than that of 1893. But the war cannot be
much longer delayed. Happily the course of the
government has been such as to drive the mode
rates into the ranks of the radicals. Even some
of the conservative journals see the necessity of
prompt action. They could not make the noun
ain come to them, and now they are willing to 90
70 the mountain. lie NATIONAL, edited by Ar
nand Marrast, and generally esteemed a moderate
republican paper, calls loudly for war; The pacific
democracy OF NJ. Considerant has yielded to the
pressure. He sees that he must for while give
up his long cherished notions of political mile
mum, and prepare TO do battle for civilization ITSELF
But the fiery enthusiasm of the people is to be
ound in the columns of the democratic journals
They are coming, these Cossaeks,'' says LIE
'euPh. Well, let them come we will dig
asst tomb for them in the bed of the Rhine
rance will break the sword of war on the breast
the last king" The buast is not entirely with
ut foundation. The France of to-day is not the
rance of 1892. She does not 60 forth single
anded against all Europe. She now has not only
he sympathes but the assistance of The people
whose kings she combats, while she herself can |
our across the Rhine more than million of men,
foud of their country, proud of their cause, and
lied with republican enthusiasm. Let the battle |
ONE; as well now later. Let it come, and
'on'will be heard the tread of freemen in Vienna,
Berlin, and in Warsaw.