New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-27
yar!ike Contingencies (.

| could regard with Indifference the action Of
our Government in bringing Kossuth to this
country. Nor could its natural feeling at
such an event have been alleviated by the
stand which the Hungarian leader took in
his speeches made in England nor by his
reception in this country and the decided
expression of so large a portion of the
American press and people upon that great
principle of international law which he so
earnestly and eloquently propOunds.
A Ii these facts hold up to view the pos
sible contingency of war between Russia
and the United States. Many publicists
anticipate the outbreak Of such war in
due time, by a sort of natural development,
! for the reason that the two countries are
the great representatives. of antagonist po-
litical principles. The United States rep
resent democratic liberty and progressive
self government Russia represents abso-
lutte despotism and the two. say these
writers, must, some day, fight it out between
them. We do not believe in that neces-
siy, because Russia cannot forever remain
in her present condition, but must undergo
internal changes, all tending to increase the
degree of freedom enjoyed by her people
ard 10 render her less and less a represen-
tstive of despotism. Within fifty years
the causes now at work in Russia, to say
nothing of those In the rest of Europe,
will, we think, have rendered it out of the
| question for her to try a war with the
United States. But at the present moment
such an event must be contemplated by her
rulers as within the bounds of possibility.
They are taking measures accordingly.
Early in December last Count MEDEM,
who for above three years has discharged
the functions of Russian Ambassador at the
Imperial Court Of Brazil, was sent to the
Imperial Court Of Hayti, to inaugurate rela-
tons of mity and good will between Nicho-
las |. and Faustn |. He was received most
cordially by the Haytien monarch, in whose
capital he spent some time, and whom he
enchanted by his diplomatic attentions. It
was quite new thing for SO great power
IN send so distinguished envoy to treat
the Haytien so upon the footing of equality,
as potentate to potentate.
From Port. au Prince Count MEpEM
went to Mexico. Of his reception and
doings there, we have as yet received no
accounts.
Now, it is worthy Of note that Hayti
and Mexico are the points in Amer
lea where hostility to the United States
could be easiest infamed, and whence an
enemy could best work US harm. With
sufficient Naval force in her ports, Hayti
could command the Gulf of Mexico aud
the Caribbean Sea. A nation of emanci-
pated slaves, she would furnish the most
skilful and dangerous emissaries to stir up
our Southern slave population to revolt
Mexico, too, has no reason to love us. liz
case Of war with Russia, HaVi and
Mexico,- despicable antagonists, as every
one will say, in themselves, would prove
redoubtable auxiliaries to our great enemy
Of this fact Russia is, of course, well
aware, and accordingly Count MEDEM is
sent upon his present mission.
1t is possible that some Amefic ans NAV be
alarmed at this development of Russian
diplomacy on this side the Atlantic, aud at the
contingencies il cOntemplates. In the view
of these good souls it will more thaa ever
appear the part of wisdom to suppress all
sympathy with the ideas of democracy and
national independence, all support of the
fundamental principles of international law,
because Russia selects this particular mo-
menttO cultivate the friendshipof SOuIouque
and Santa Anna. The phantom, that doomed
with such fearful menace when Russia WAS
four thousand miles from US, may well de-
priye them of all their senses now that il is
stIiding about in our very neighborhood.
though 1t is lot whit more substantial
than before. But let these timid and
trembling hearts take courage and bend
anew to the work of inspiring their coun-
tymen at large with their own fears and
fancies. We have called their attention to
new indication of danger. Let them make
the most of it. Perhaps they may induce
the American Republic to take the glorious
position of sacrificing to childish alarms and
the base suggestions Of mere selfish interest
all regard for the principles of human lib
erty, every duty toward nations which have
fallen among thieves to be stripped aad
wounded, and left to perish. Possibly they
NAY silence In this naorlo oua- -