The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-28
rhs Manifest Destiny of Russia.

nv which the encroachments of the United
States might be arrested on this side of the
Atlantic, they have been suddenly aroused
TO the more imminent importance of restraining
the advances of power more gigantic in its
designs, and more destructive in the conse-
0uenees of its action.
The despotism of Russia, which has spread
like vast cancer over large portion of Europe
and Of Northern Asia, has announced to the
government of Turkey certain conditions in
compatible with the sovereignty of that
power, and all Europe is awaiting with anx-
iety whether Russia will recede from her ultj =
matum or Turkey accede to its humiliatinp
conditions.
We presume that the object of Russia, trans
lated into plain language, is to obtain the con-
troll of the Black sea, the port OF Constantine
pie, and the Dardaneles. She wishes to rest
her vast productive interior upon a marine
base adequate to an enlarged commerce with
the world. She has made the cause of Quarrel
with Turkey mere pretext for executing this
predetermined policy.
VIII the other nations of Europe submit to
her aggressions?
We are satisfied that the progress of Russia
menaces greatly the prosperity, perhaps the
existence, of the nations to which we have
referred. No kingdom since that of ALExAs-
DER has grown with the same rapidity; besides
that, 1t possesses elements of stability which
the empire of the Macedonian wanted
Russia has extended her limits by the pow er
of her buf che hos nt,,p nal b,,-
advance by the industrial improvement of her
people. Her boundaries do not, therefore,
auctuate with the varying ability of her rulers
She has rarely taken up her termini unless to
extend her limits.
Europe may well, therefore, dread mon
ster whose vast proportions already oversha-
dow her. But what combination will be suf
icient to withstand its power2
Europe may enrol armies and appropriate
millions for the purpose of restraining her COM
mon foe; but she cannot always stand guard
against one whose power grows silently and
with rapldity, and whose aggressions are the
physical results of its own expansion.
The only defect in Russian organization has
heretofore been the want of navy; nor can
she now cope with the great maritime powers
Of Europe. They command the outlet to the
oceans upon which the dominiuns of Russia
principally rest. They can of course obstruct
her access to the great highway of commerce
But will they hold this as permanent adyan-
tage? With the extension of her marine
boundary and the acquisition of commercial
resources Russia will build up a navy, and
may thus become as formidable upon the ocean
as she has become upon the land. We think
that these are the natural results of ambition
and physical prosperity. 1t is proper that
Europe should guard against them
The obvious policy of Europe would there
fore be to deslst from interfering with the
United States-to cease intervening in their
foreign or domestic policy. Spain should
make no compact with Mexico to resist
designs which are falsely attributed to the
United States; for Mexico may be thereby i'm
PEELED upon fate which it will be difficult for
her under any circumstances to avoid.
Great Britain should not negotiate with
Spain Communication of Cuban slavery for the
apprentice system, nor prevent the American
acquisition of Cuba by emancipating the
slaves. She should still less exasperate our
people by her denunciation of, or interior
ence with, the institution of slavery. Such
diplomacy may result in the loss of Cuba
by Spain, perhaps in war between the United
States and England. If England be the coast
guard of Europe against Russia, suppose she
encounter upon her chosen element the public
and priyateer navy of the United States, she
will be of course greatly crippled in the confct
and to that extent she will be unable to COM
bat the common enemy. If there should be
war coincident in its occurrence between Rus
STA on the one side and the United States on
the other, the powers of Europe would be
exposed to great embarrassment, if not hazard
Of absorption by the autocratic power.
We need scarcely remind our readers that
there is revolutionary spirit amongst the
people of most European governments which
might avail itself Of foreign dagger to exact
radical concessions from their rulers as the price
of resisting the common enemy. With so
much at stake, why do those powers persist in
their Vaccinations against the United States
as an aggressive and dangerous power? Why,
in attempting to create dissensiOns amongst
our people, encourage a reciprocal hostility
against themselves fraught with so many
fearful consequences to their national exist
ence?
We are satisfied that the true policy of those
powers is to attend to their interests on their
own side of the Atlantic If they wish to re-.
sist the encrOachments of Russia, it can best be
done by liberalizing their institutions Letthem
raise their subjects to a platform of equality;
abolish rank, separate the ecclesiastical from
the civil system; reduce their taxes. Let them
educate, employ, elevate their citizens; they
will thus organize vast popular body-guard
which will be invincible by any power that
may dare to invade them.
If, however, they continue to rely upon the
visionary remedies of diplomacy, they will find
themselves friendless amongst nations. their
sobjects will be indifferent what despot may
rule; then Russia, aceumulating power, will
separate, and perhaps swallow them in detail