The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-18

Vi
waden5es; Common Council Proceedings; CONNER
cia Police, Court Marine and Miscellaneous ntelli.
gence &c.
Struggle Between Liberty and Despotlsn-
Influence Of the United scatss over Europe
The Cuban Question.
This is the 18th Of June 1853, and thirty
eight years have elapsed since the fate Of
Europe was decided upon the memorable battle
field Of Waterloo. Nations have had time to
recover from the effects Of the sanctuary on
slaughts Of the modern COLOSSUS; AMI with
triding exception the whole world has breathel
peace since the genius Of Napoleon relin-
quished its grasp upon European destinies
At Waterloo was enacted the last frightful
effort for the preservation of the balance of
power and Great Britain was unanimously
accorded the palm Of ple-eminence in European
councils. Great Britain, stunned with her
achievement, expressed satisfaction for her
subsidies SO lavishly granted, and tacitly made
up her mind to the monstrous debt confded to
her national honor, in the prosecution Of
cherished, although frenzed policy, which she
had sworn never to abandon.
If the peace Of Europe depends upon existing
nations being kept in their integrity-that is to
say, without abstraction and without addition
to their power-the present menacing attitude
of Russia towards the Porte gives the necessity
for interest, if not for anxiety, and the millions
of America take the opportunity for considera-
tion as to the immediate or ultimate results
OF European war.
Great Britain has dearly purchased the right
to speak first, should the great Northern despot
threaten with his hordes the dominions Of the
Sultan; and it is needless to observe that in such
a contingency. the eyes of the universe would
be upon ler steps. 1t scarcely needs the ques-
ton whether Turkey has the right to call upon
her for assistance, since it is pretty well under
stood that Russia's preponderating influence be-
gins to be felt already, and the inference may be
drawn, that England, SO VIGOROUSLY alive to
the value of her own position, will not admit
with immunity the possibility Of Russia's in
creasing that influence, by exercising even
religious authority over subjects belong
ing to Turkey. The English ambassador
at Constantinople, Lord Stratford, and the
French ambassador NJ. De la Cour, have en-
couraged the Sultan to persist against the out
raseous demands Of the Russian envoy-as-
surfing him that their respective coun-
tries will do their duty with resolution.
Lord Stratford, too wrote to Prince Mems
chikoff, warning him of the possible conse-
quences of the tone of his demands. In
fact. the reply Of the Sultan was concerted by
the English ambassador.
1t is generally apprehended that the flames
Of war will not be kindled in consequence of
the position sought to be taken by Russia to the
disadvantage Of Turkey-that. with his de-
mands not acceded to, the Prince Menschikoff
goes into retirement-and the matter subsidies
until irrepressible ambition and the absolute
necessity for triumph prevail upon the Russian
Gar, to make the attempt of taking by force
that which previously has been refused to be
conceded by treaty.
Out Of some such cause foresight may safely
prognostieate the overthrow of peace in Europe;
and the chances are. that nations which have
deferred to Great Britain in consequence OF the
prestige attaching to her name, will quietly
allow ii 10 be trial Of strength whether her
X,
be longer submitted to-the weaker powers
looking on whilst tie stronger belligerents set
tie the question.
AS the resources of what were once
weak nations are daily developed-as the
snew and wealth, and increasing popula.
ton Of q land are shown, we must look also
for the expanded national feeling insisting upon
weight and acknowledgements the
claim OF equality, ifnot of superiority to other
countries; and although this argument is more
adapted to the present position of the United
States in making comparisons as to what they
were and what they are, and in the conviction
of what they will become, it is perfectly
reasonable to imagine that Russia. with her
almost unreasonable territory and countless
millions viii seek some outlet for ambition
and some field on which to exhibit or expose it,
The renown obtained by Great Britain, and
The influence she gathered, on the field OF Wa
terloo, are undeniable; but it is to be feared
that whilst the former is imperishable, the lat
ter will have to sustain rude shocks at the
hands of those who have been benefited by the
blood Of her soldiers and the wealth of her cti-
zens. Great Britain heaped benefactions upon
Austria, Russia, and Prussia, in bearing
down to the dust their common enemy,
and yet she may depend that in the great
coming trial between liberty and tyran-
ny, which ere long will shake Europe to its
foundations. her friends will be few and far be-
tween. Whilst they silently think of graft
tude, her Institutions, and the freedom of her
people, together with her influence, and the re-
collection of the causes Of her greatness, will
league those who are now her allies. against
her, and with heart and hand they will strive
to depress her.
Who will wish to deny the superintendent
reasons existing for foretelling in Europe the
struggle between the desire for freedom and the