The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-08-03
The Prospect of War in Europe,

The news by the steamer Arctic, which
arrived at New York on the Esd inst, is
exceedingly war-like in its character, and
renders more than probable, what many in
this country have believed from the time
the Russian Car made his extraordinary
demands upon the Turkish Government,
that rupture between the two nations was
inevitable, and that the general peace in
Europe, which has lasted ever since 1915,
was about to be disturbed. 1t is now re-
duced to a certainty that NICHOLAS has
given orders to the Generals commanding
his barbarian hordes, to advance and oc-
cupy the ,Danubian principalties Of Tur.
key-an invasion of the latter's territory,
which is of itself the most fragrant com.
mencement of hostilities, and which can
not fail to lead to the most important con-
sequences. Russia, after seeking, like the
wolf in the fable Of the lamb, to find some
pretextthat she could alledge as reason
for'making war upon the Sultan, and with
the same result-after amusing the differ
ent European Cabinets with insincere pa
cifc professions for some months, has final
ly thrown off the mask, and appears in her
true light Of gigantic military despotsm,
determined on making territorial acquis-
tions, and extending, without regard to
reason or right, her dominion to the Dar-
danelles. The autocrat ofthe north is bent
on carrying out the long cherished tradi-
ton of the Russian Cabinet, of extinguish.
ing the nationality of Turkey, and is am
bilious Of following in the footsteps of Pc
TER and CATHERINE; sign alizing his reign
by conquest more important than that ol
Poland, or the acquisition Of Finland
NICHOLAS has exhibited throughout the
whole of this Turkish difficulty haughti-
ness and arrogance-a resolute determi-
nation to carry out his purposes, in despite
of all opposition, or of any revolutionary
consequences that might ensue from gen.
eral European CONFUSION, that has caused
the greatest astonishment in Western Eu-
rope, the Courts Of which supposed he
would draw back when he perceived the
spirit Of resistance that his ambitious
schemes had awakened. and the danger
of ahording aid and comfort to the repub-
lican leaders that persistence in them
would be certain to cause.
The despot of ST. Petersburg is, howev-
er. seriously in earnest, a fact which has
become apparent to all, and it has created
considerable of a CONSERVATION among
those diplomatists whose prin nci pal aim it
is to maintain the present order of things,
politically speaking, on the European con-
tin ent, which the movements of the Car
threaten seriously to disturb; and Lon
don paper undoubtedly speaks their views.
when it says that the principles which Nlcn-
oLAs processes to have at heart have more
to fear from him than from the conspiracies
of KossUrH, MAzzINI, and the other re-
publcans, and that his ambition may ac-
complish that which they in vain have en-
deavored to do by insurreciion. Feeling
himself secure upon the throne of his semi
barbarious Empire, with several hundred
thousand armed men ready TO move at his
Ibeck on moments notice, with Austria
as an ally, ready to sustain him, NICHOLAS.
/ it would appear, has determined to carry
out his Turkish enterprise, at all hazards;
or, as he expressed it to the English Min
lister at ST. Petersburg, not even the entire
destruction Of his whole navy would pre-
vent him from obtaining the religious con.
cessions from Turkey which he had de-
manded. The Sultan, on the other hand ,
the existence of whose Empire is at stake,
has exhibited very commendable firm
ness and resolution, in peremptorily re-
jecting the extraordinary demands ofNIcH-
oLAs-in placing his army and navy up.
on war footing, appealing to the religious
fanaticism Of his subjects, taking counsel
with England and France in relation to a
matter where they have such great inter-
ests at stake, making every preparation for
desperate struggle with the great North
ern despotism.
When such is the disposition Of the two
belligerant parties, Louis NAPOLEON has
taken a vigorous and decided stand, in ac-
cordance with the traditions of his govern
ment, against this Russian aggression, and
has backed up the Porte in his resistance
with the whole weight OF his influence and
power; but England, though quite as deep
ly interested as France, has not evinced
the same alacrity, and by her undecided
and wavering course, IN our opinion, has
encouraged NICHOLAS to 60 on in his pro-
ieet. Nevertheless we think that the En-
glish Government will be compelled, how
ever reluctant it may be, if the difficulty is
not settled by the general voice of the peo-
pie and its national interests, to take part
actively with NAPOLEON in preserving the
integrity Of the Turkish Empire against the
designs OF Russia. Austria, if the last ac-
count is to be relied upon, is fully commit
ted and leagued with the Gear. She also
covets portion of Turkey, and is fully
aware that without the support Of the Rus
sian Emperor she could not preserve her
nationality. The note she is said TO have
presented through her Envoy at Constanti-
nople, taking sides with Russia, is decisive
of the position she will occupy in the war
that ppears inevitable. If NICHOLAS con.
tinues firm in his demands, as his whole
conduct Indicates that he will, Europe is
on the eve Of war that will set the whole
continent in conmotion, and let loose all
the different elements, political, moral and
religious, that have been for long time
struggling against the old order Of things,
and the end of which it is impossible for
the wisest even to predict.
We confess our qualification at the in
creased probability OF the struggle COM
mencing, for Europe needs another con-
vulsion, like that of the French revolution,
which will uproot all her old despotisms
I. <h