The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-26
The Balance OF Power against the Ba-
lance OF Interest.

TUESDAY MORNING., JULY 70, 1858
The Balance or Power against the Ba-
lance Of Interest.
When the rapacious designs Of that imperial
robbsr Russia, were made evident, the powers
Of continental Europe set up simultaneous
threat of war for the purpose of soaring the eagle
from his prey; but as this does not seem to have
had that effect, they content themselves with
expressing their condemnation Of the act with
out mourning the consequences of active inter
vention.
1t now seems probable that Russia will be
permitted to pursue her ill-disguised aggres
sions without any other opposition than a pro
test upon the pa.t of other nations. So far as
the justice of this aggression may rest upon
reasoning, Russia may readily establish against
all the protesting powers precedents for her
conduct similar to that which she has thrown
in the teeth of France in regard to the INFER
vention Of the latter in the religious affairs of
Greece as late as $780, Indeed, as there is no
conceivable case OF foreign rapine or domestic
oppression which has not its parallel in the
past history of any European power, not one of
~AAOiii Sou Cdcb Wiz StOuc
as her conduct undoubtedly is. The question of
peace or war has become upon the part of those
powers a calculation of policy.
Although orders may have been given to the
fleets Of England and France upon the Black
Sea to sustain the Porte, and possibly subsi-
dies may be furnished to aid him, we begin to
doubt whether there will be a combined military
invasion Of the territory of Russia. The princi-
pal powers who were lately spoken of as allies
aginst Russia, seem disinclined to carry out their
belligerent limitations. The English papers
are divided upon the proprioty of an armed in
PREVENTION, and France manifests no disposition
to do more than offer her services as a medi-
ator in the difficulties. We think the tenor Of
advice given to tho Porte by the crafty states
men who govern the great nation will be to-
compromise, or even to yield to, the demands
OF the Gar. There are reasons why CONT
mental Europe is indisposed to general war at
this time. France and Germany have long
fermented with ideas Of freedom, which want Of
opportunity and the vigilance of power has alone
prevented from occasioning political disturb
ance. The ultimate effects Of general war can
not be foreseen. The return to their respective
countries of active and ambitious leaders, dis
tiDguished for their prowess, and sustained by
millions of discharged soldiers, has always been
fraught with political perils. Besides, nations
are now compelled to count the cost of warfare,
because the pressure of taxation and the inter
ruption of commercial relations stimulates dis
affection amongst their citizens and produces
domestic embarrassment of most serious char
acter.
Such considerations are now more potent
than formerly, and obviously operate upon the
two great powers who organize continental ac-
ton upon the Russo Turkish policy. Indeed,
going to the opposite extreme against inter
vention, we should not be surprised at the pri-
waite participation Of some of those powers in
the contemplated spoliation of the magnificent,
but comparatively feeble power, with whom
Russia has SO successfully picked quarrel.
Finding that the domestic risk of interven-
tion is such as to render the occupation of the
ports and provinces of Turkey, or even The
subjugation of her empire, more advanta-
geous than long, bloody, and doubtful war to
prevent it, the calculating diplomatists of Eu-
rope may abandon the mighty Ottoman empire
to the storm, and betake themselves to wreck
ing for the fragments of her destruction.
The theory of Europe used to be to study
the balance of power. 1t is now to calculate
the balance of interest