Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-04-04
EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

Ike news brought by the Canada is of higher
importance than any received for the last months.
All Europe appears TO be upon the eve Of gene
raj war. Denmark has refused to the armis-
tice with the Duchies, and immediate hostilitcs
inevitable. Sweden and Russia will probaly
support the Danes, and France and Holland will
find much difficulty in restraining Their sympathies
Prussia on the one side, and Denmark and Sweden
on the other, would OF themselves make much noise
and commoton, and very pretty fight.
In Italy, all IS excitement and confusion. Ans
tria has already entered the Papal States, and seiz-
ed upon Fcrara. Tuscany has dehroned the Grand
Duke, and it is said that Piedmontese troops,
marching to the protection Of the Tuscans, have en-
countered the AuSlrianS, and that the war has
bronken out a:esh in that quarter. Rome, republi-
Rome with Bonaparte for chief, is threatened
both from without and within. Every sign indicates
at an early day furious strife III every section of
the Peninsular. That the champions of liberty dis
tracted among themselves, and undscipiined and
uDprepared by education and habit for the great
part they are called upJn 10 play, will be worsted
in the conflict, is seriously to be feared. But while
they are divided, and threatened with tTeach-
cry in the King O! Sardinia the despots who sur
rounded them, and mediate their destruction, are
guided by harmonious councils and united forces.
The rcverses og England in india, by engrossing
the attention and resources of that power may exer;
very serious influence the destiny of Europe.
Heavy as that blow rnay be, we have no idea that
it will materially and permanently affect her pow
er and career n India. She ciN sway the dcstinies
Of that great country. Brave as her enemies may
be-yct they are wanting in that Skill that perse-
serance, and patient courage, which are the charac-
terlstcs Of British diplomacy and British soldiers
every where. They may be defeated to-day-and,
according TO their accounts, they were defeated
in the late affair Of Chillianwalah could we see
the bulletins of the Sikhs no doubt the British dis
aster would be greatly magnfed) -lhey may be
defeated again and agaln--but their ndOuliable en-
durance will ultimately master all difficulties. But
1t is in Withdrawing her from the theaue Of Euro
pean affairs, at this particular time, and directing
her energies upon Asia, that this disaster is most
pregnant with big events. Russia will feel in a
measure free to pursue her gigantic schemes ofan-
biton without the fear Of check, while she consid-
ers England wholly absorbed in efforts to preserve
her dofoinions upon the banks Of tie Indus.
The movement Of Russia in aid Of Austria and
advancing towards Constantnnple, is the most i'm
poriant event Of the day. That colossal power has
long had her eye fixed upon the city Of Constan-
tine and the dorGriors Of the Sultan. She deems
the time peculiarly propious for the consummation
of her projects All Europe is more or less occu-
pied with feuds. existing or apPrchended between
the rulers and the rulcdshe can therefore advance
without the fear Of moIeslaiion in her rear. Eng
land ia the only power that could cause her any Sc
RIOTS app7ehensiOn-an she may have her hands
full in india. II is not probable however, that Eng
land could remain quiet and see Russia subdue Iur
kew. Bat her resistance would prove unavalling
the Russian net is already spread, and the bird Il