The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-11

placed; and be stated to the English and French
ambassadors, on the presentation OF Prince Mems
chikoffs demands ID the shape Of convention
that it was not his intention TO yield to ntinida
tiof. That being bis choice "a THE perilous ahe4
native the recall ofthe ablest ministers OF the B
van, who had been successvely elected from Office
by Russian Influence, became the natural security
Of his independence and his power. On tbese
grounds, and with the advice of the Sultan'e pre-
sent ministers we were therefore fully prepared
for the rejection OF Prince Menschikoff u;matum;
and the last Geographic despatch which has been
received in Paris informs us that THE event has
now actually taken place, and has been followed
oy TIE withdrawal of Prince Menschikof. II is
French 'aa' upon the Of this event the
T n ADMIRAL Lasu7se to proceed at once to the
Dardauees We have then, on the one hand a
a,pion,a.c rupture between Russia and the Porte,
nu va ,ne otner an lntmaton that if Russia is
prepared to proceed to actual hostiliies she will
encounter the forces of France in the Turkish
| waters. 49,
| AT this stage of the transaction il wonld sn,es,
mat the position IN which the Emperor of Russia
Las placed himself by his envoy is one which rnust
he either injurious to bis character and To the eace
| Of Europe or humiliating to his pride He NAV
have hoped that the display of his fleets and armies
on the coasts of the Black sea, and the naughty
bearing of his ambassador, would have acbieyed
an easy triumph over the declining power of the
Porte But, having failed in carrying bis point
by intimidation, he must either submit to be de-.
so much contempt, or be must proceed to extremi-
ties, in violation of all his solemn assurances and
In d hance of the general interests Of Europe and
the demonstration of France. war begun by
such intrigues, without assignable cause or
pretext, without ally, and with no motive
but an extension of influence Of territory,
Is so strange and violent departure from every
principle which the Russian government has
hitherto profe sed, that we still increduous
OF such result. Every court in Europe would
be entitled TO resent positive breach OF
the assurances which have been given TO all alike
and 30 wanton breach oil that peace which il is
the duty and the desire of all TO preserve Towards
this country especially, whose relations with Rus
STA had lately been drawn into greater intimacy
by the desire to give joint and united support 10
the cause of peace and order, such conduct would
imply degree of duplicity and perfdy which we
shall not willingly attribute to any foreign State
without very strong grounds to support such an
accusation. That question must be decided by
positive evidence of the fact, whether or not the
terms of Prince Menschikof's last demands were
in any way included in the account of his mission
which was communicated TO other powers We
believe that every one of them was assured, with
all the solemnity and precision that could be given
to language both personal and official that no such
intentions or objects as have since come to light
were entertained or contemplated by the cabinet
OF ST Petersburgh.
The position of France on these questions
though less compromised than that of Russia is
scarcely more satisfactory In spite of the decla-
rights conceded by the Porte to the Latin Church
were touched by the subsequent firmans granted
to the Greeks the recent publication of those doc
urnents has effectually dissipated that illusion.
The chief Catholic organ of the French press can
scarcely credit their Authenticity for they do I'M
doubleday make over to the Greeks several of the
most important distinctions which the French
had contended for and obtained. The paragraph
In the Moaieur therefore an official nisstate-
ment, intended TO conceal from the public in
France the entire failure of the untoward negotia
tons which have led by slow degrees to the copse.
quences we now witness. We are told with an air
OF great confidence by the organ of the French
embassy in London, that ssthe cabinets of ST.
James and the Tuileries well as their represent
atlves at Constantinople, have acted, are acting
and Will act, with the most cordial and complete
agreement" But we presume that Great Britain
will not be called upon to take up the cause of
the Latin priests at the tomb of the Blessed Virgin;
and, to speak OF more serious matters, although
the French fleet sailed for the Levant mere than a
month ago, we have no reason to believe that Admit
raj Dundas has received orders to Join that aru1a-
ment Neither do we believe that Lord Stratford
can now have initiated the example of his French
colleague, or that he is invested with powers to
determine question OF peace and war by order
ing Admiral Dundas to take any immediate part
in this demonstration. The course to be pursued
under circumstances of such extreme gravity must
be determined by the British Cabinet The truth
is that France and Russia, by their successive at
tempts TO bully the Turks, have brought them
selves within sight of hostities with one another
in which neither side is probably very ready to
engage. The threatened action of the one and the
counteraction of the other are alike opposed to
British notions of policy and justice In the pres
ent Embarrassing and complicated relations of all
the European States, the safe and dignihed course
for this country to pursue is of entire indie
pendence-lending herself TO no petty combination
for the advancement of this that separate inte-
rest, but reserving her influence and her strength
for public interests and for fixed principles. No
thing has yet occurred TO compel the British gov
eminent to descend with precipitation into the
lists, or to induce the ministers of the crown to
engage this country in course of policy to which
no definite result can yet be assigned. We can
observe, without alarm agitation the course
of events by which other nations are more nearly
affected than can be- and ii would be the great
est of errors to commit ourselves hastily to the
chances of quarrel in which we have at present
no direct share. If, indeed, ii should appear that
the peace of the world may be seriously disturbed,
or the balance of power overthrown, upon the mo
mentous questions which such state of things
might raise, the voice of England would not re-
main unheard. But let our support be given where
we can give our trust; and, until the Queens gov
| eminent are clearly satisfied in which direction
the track of public duty lies in obedience to the
positive obligations and direct interests of this
country, we are persuaded that it will steadily
avoid the snare of premature interference in these
transactions.