Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-11-01
The CONGRESS at Olmutz.

The Congress at Olmutz.
The Emperors Of Russia and Austria,
and the Prince Of Prussia, have lately
been assembled in Congress, at Olmutz,
to deliberate on the momentous affairs
of Europe. France and England have
sent representatives, not Ministers Pleni'
potentaries, to transact business-spies
to watch, not Ambassadors to act; the
deliberations being probably less in re-
ference to Turkey, than in regard to the
attitude of France, England, and the U.
States. Turkey furnishes only a con.
venient pretext for the assemblage Of
the three old members Of the exploded
Holy Alliance. Russia, Austria, and
Prussia, form the great despotic triangle
or Delta Of despotism. France, (in
spite Of her doubtful organization,) Eng.
land, and the United States, tho great
triangle or Delta Of free institutions.
France, though now monarchy or rath.
er military despotism, recognizes in
the plebiscitum, the right Unpopular suf.
frase, the government by popular au'
thonzation, not by Divine right, and she
possesses besides, that mobility and Ii.
ability to mutation, joined to revolu.
tionary democ ratio spirit which may, at
any moment, place her, even without a
change in the person Of her rulers, at
the very head and front Of democratic
propagandism.
The antagonism Of Russia, Austria,
and Prussia. TO France, England, and
the United States, is, as far as the Unit
ed States are concerned, rather desira.
BILE phenomenon.
The closer the ties which bind the
Holy Alliance, the more sincere and
firm will be the mutual good will and
friendship between tho United States,
England, and France,--the less likely
is there any alliance between France,
England, and Spain, against the progress
of the United States. The recognition
in Western Europe, Of popular rights in
any form, and their hostility to the auto.
cratic principle Of Eastern Europe, is of
immense importance to the U. States.
As long as there is battle field be-
tween liberalism and despotism in Eu.
rope, there can be no organized opposi.
ton to the spontaneous growth and de.
velopment of the United States, on this,
our continent.
Viewed in this light-the light in which
the governments Of Europe themselves
consider the subject-the Turkish ques.
ton has nothing in it that can cause
serious regret to the United States. The
Turkish question has arrested the pro.
gress Of despotism; it has prevented
France from joining the Eastern triangle,
and has thereby struck severe blow to
the ambitious designs Of Russia in
Western direction. The quarrel about
Turkey has knocked the tri.partite trea'
ty in the head, we mean the treaty be-
tween France, England and Spain, a.
gainst the United States, which would
have constituted England gaoler on
our coast; and the progress Of Russia has,
at last, caused England to look with
comparative favor on the rapid, and to
her, alarming progress Of the United
States. For just in proportion as he'
Empire in India is Of more consequence
to her than either Canada or the Wes'
Indies, will she be moro desirous to ar
rest the growing power Of Russia than
that Of the United States.
As to Turkey, we have already OK.
pressed our opinion that she is merely q
thing in action, not party to the quar-
rel. She represents no living principle
whatever, and her disappearance from
Europe would only increase the material
mower Of those who would fatten On heI
spoils. Turkey never recognized the
law Of nations. The Koran ignores any
such law, and commands unceasing hos
tility 10 all nations not converted to Is
lamism. Turkey never concluded peace
but simply an armistics with Christian
powers, and must, in the end, share ths