Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-11-15
To CORRESPONDENTS.
Russia and Turk,y.

The Foreign news Of yesterday disc,oscs that as
yet serious engagement has taken place the Dan
ubc between the armies Of these Powers. Ii is true
there of wars, and the high probability Is
that there may have been some light skrmishng, but
there is reliable account of regular engagement
II is triie remark to say that the civilized world is
looking with eager eyes to the Danube, with cars all
erect hear the lannon's opening roar which is to
be hushcd, how, when, where!
Spe culation is in vain as to whether there will be
war Still der is i: To attenp. to rcde the future
consequences that may flow from such war. Its
DURATION its geographical limits, its moral and polit
cal results arc shrouied from mortal ewes. Whether
Turkey is to be obteraed from the roll Of nation,
by Russia Poland was or whether she is to drive
back that gigantic and rapacios Power, crippled and
punished for the cruel wrongs inflicted the Poles
il avas not to speculate. But it may serve no mean
purpose to consider, for moment, how the pre-.
sent attitude OF these Empires illustrates tn,
changes which Providence DEGREES among the Ma
tons of the Earth, enforcing the words OF Horace
with regard to death, 'rdpuit rdpiet que gentcs."
None can have failed to read in history of that per
ilous tine to Christendom, when the sons OF Islam
in their nrdor to propagate the religion of tn,
Prophet, bearing the emblematc banner of In,
Crescent and furious in their efforts TO conquer for
epn lands, came rushing down TO externlinste the
Christian name. When all Europe trcmbled at tn,
imminent danger to her affairs and her ires-RuSsis
among the rcst-when the brave John SobieSkie an
his faithful Poles met the overwhelming charge OF
the Ssracenic host and without altarinS drove bach
the tide OF desolatOn and saved EUROPE from the sway
and religion Of the Turk This is all familiar. 7heN
the ambitious Crescent threatened to verify the mora
which it typihes-ihcn, indeed, the new moon proms
cd to wax until her increasing horns should be f i.
and the power and the Empire of Mahomet u,
complete over the face Of the civilized world
Turkey was then the propaganii,t OF her re-
rgiou, and unhappy Poland proved the grea
bulwark on which the waves of Turkeys i'm
petuous fanaticisin spent their force, and rolled
sulcny back within the limits of their original bed
and Europe was saved. From that time till now
Turkey has slumbeIcd listlcss and inert, growing
fecbler year by year. until she has become the dcrS-
ion Of Europe and prospective prey to the avarcI
and cruelty of Kings. Meanwhile Russia having
grown to the maturity of a colossal Power, bv the
revolving wheel of fo tune has become propagandis
of ner own peculiar faith, aud in order TO the
Holy Shrines of Christian veneraton, threatens to
dismembcr and subdue the Empire ofthe Turk. Tn.
peaceful Jesus she wrests from the Ottoman a por-
ton OF his SOIL aud threatens light the fire of gen
eral desoating throughout Christendom in order
to cover her nsdiOus rage for ACKNOWLEDGEMENT la
the name of Him who proclaimed peace earth
good will men, and, for HIS sake, she proposes to
unbar til, gates of death ami carnage, in order add
TO her already stupendous donations. Calling thc
name Of Him who said he tho tacth the sword shall
a.
two hundred thousand blades and crimson them with
blood France and England pledged TO aid the
Turk-Austria and Prussia have aiinitics and sym
pathy with the Car. general war impends Ia,
whole OF Europe.
VIII re is Poland +? Alas, "Sarmatia fell I'M
wcpt without crime" Her throne has been shat
tered Her of Kings is extinct RuSsis
claims half and Austria the other of hei
ancient land. She, who had rescued by her no
BILE courage Europe, from the horrors of Mlssulnan
domination, has been crushed and extinguishcd 10y
the Christian thrones she defended Her -ons wan
der in exile or seek glorious revenge in 1ghtin:
for the Turk against the unfeeling aud ungratefl
Russ
Is there retribution for national as for individual
wrongs? May not the Turk avenge the Pole Nav
not the Hungarian, the Pole, the Turk, combine u
cripple, perhaps to conquer Muscovy? What or how
many of these things may be, fruitful themes fo
contemplation only