Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-03-23
WARS AND nuMons OF WAR"

fOWerS VIII nc implicated, Is not ,lmprobable.-I
Affairs seem at present good deal complicated.
and it is impossible to foresee in what way the
various parties will be arrayed, or what combina-
tons will be formed, in the event contemplated.
In the first place, there is prevalent rumor that
the Courts of Austria, Russia. Prussia and France
are about to make another and n strenuous effort
to induce the British Government to expel from
It's territories the political exiles of other nations
The result of the appeal cannot be doubted-it
will not be needed. An act of Parliament, passed
more than century ago, guarantees protection to
political refugees, and the Executive Government
has no power in the premises; that the law will
be repealed is not for moment to be believed.
In the next place, we find the British Gov
ernment vigorously prosecuting her prepara-
tons to meet the anticipated assault of the
French Emperor, notwithstanding Mr.. CoBDENs
wager OF ten thousand pounds against one shilling
that LOUIS NAPOLEON will never attempt to in
wade England. The belefis fully entertained
that he contompates surprise, and accordingly
every precauton is adopted to guard against it
In addition to the militia force of $4,000 men,
which has been embodied and trained, preparations
have been made for calling out $4,000 more
The Qualifications of the island have been put in
state of defense, and large naval force is kept
ready for action at a moments warning. The past
life Of the Emperor shows that he is very much
Al c,,.ko -
lar rOmanesque imagination" which constantly
disposes him to undertake q1ixotic enterprises;
and, moreover, he may hope to increase his popu-
larity with the French by successful war against
their hereditary enemy, with or without a just
pretext. At any rate, the English people and
Government repose no confidence in his pacific
declarations.
But the matter most likely to grow into gen.
eral conhagration, is the affair between Turkey
and her province OF Montenegro. On our itstpago,
we give from an English paper, an account of the
origin and character of this petty war. Russia
and Austria are watching the progress Of the con-
test with intense interest, and have assembled
large armies on the frontiers of Turkey, to be
ready at the first favorable moment to commence
the work Of oyerthrowing the Ottoman Empire.
On the other hand, England and France are rep
resented as disposed to stand by and support the
Sultan. The former country particularly, is in
terested in counteracting the designs Of Austria
and Russia. She desires to maintain free COM
munication to India by the present overland route,
and finds Turkey profitable customer in the pur-
chase Of her manufactures, receiving in exchange
the various products of the East. The English
papers by the last steamer are principally oocu-
pied in discussing this question. They take some
what different views of the merits of the Monte
negrin war, but are agreed that for the present
Turkey must be sustained as an Independent ma
ton. The downfall of the Turk before great
while, however, is regarded as inevitable. and
seems to De generally desired. He has been for
many years the chief prop Of the sffete system of
IsIamism, and the great barrier to the progress of
christianity and liberal institutions in the East
and if 4 better government can be erected upon the
ruins of his empire, humanity will rejoice. But
the Danger IS JndI MS OOulllOnS VIII 10 dUSOEUSu
by Russia and Austria, and another despotism, no
less crushing and almost as barbarous as that en-
ercsed by Sultans and Pachas, be established over
that fair region of the globe. We heartily wish
success to Great Britain in her efforts to prevent
such result.
While these movements are going on in the old
world, the Cabinet at Washington, if letter writers
are to be credited, are putting their heads together
to get up war for our benefit. They probably
wish to prove to the other nations that we are one
Of the Powers, in accordance with the Kossuth
notion; for, 50 far as we are advised, there is no
other excuse for the effort. But whether there is
just cause for war with England or not, the flip
pancy with which some of the letter writers, and
even some grave Senators, allude to the matter is
quite disgusting. They appear to regard war as
mere child's play, to be undertaken for the sport
whichJt affords, instead ola direlul calamity which
desolates iresides and arrests all the industrial
pursuits of a country, and which a christian peo-
pie should avoid as long as national safety and
honour will permit.