The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-28


ish dispute. 1t is not three years since that
"cantankerous" statesman threw down the
gauntlet to Russia and Austria, and compelled
them both to "eat the leek.' Nesselrode chafed
desperately; language, as writer eminent for
his department" remarks, quite unheard ofin
diplomatic intercourse passed between the de-
partment at Saint Petersburg and the Russian
ambassador at London. But nothing came of
it. Palmerston stuck to his point Don Pacifco
earned a worldwide fame, and Russia was
BUNDLED.
So, too, a short while previous, when the
British fleet approached much nearer Constan-
tinople than they now are. and absolutely COM
PEELED the Emperor to withdraw his forces from
the provinces which he now invades. the Gar
was fain to confess his unwillingness to engage
in war, and to act as the fiery Englishman
desired. Had Palmerston been at the head OF
affairs it is very probable that the combined
fleets would have now been sailing in the Black
Sea.
The case is different with Lord John Russell,
whose love of powder has never been remark
able. Lord Aberdeen, also, always ready to
temporize and conciliate, sort Of Quaker in
politics, is not the man to act on the principles
which guided Lord Palmerston. To the pecu-
liar idiosyncrasy of those two men the pacific
attitude of England must, in a great measure
be ascribed. They are both firmly impressed
with the duty of postponing considerations Of
national honor to the dictates of commercial
interest; and neither has, perhaps. that far
seeing eye which detects in unimportant events
the momentous consequences which may follow
Without the light thus thrown on the dis
pute by the personal characters Of the prime
movers we should have found it difficult to
explain the apathy which Great Britain has
hitherto manifested. For her, as well as for
France the contest is one of vital significance.
Russas success would not only establish the
principle that any power may disturb the peace
of Europe, and absorb its weak neighbors at its
will, but would give to the Gear a preponder-
aIce in continental affairs which would be fatal
to his rivals. For the last fifty years Russia's eyes
have never been raised from Turkey. Napo-
leon, Metternich Stratford, have each success
svely foiled the eagles grasp and propped up
the barriers which hem in the autocrat of the
North. All saw the paramount necessity of say
ing Turkey, and opposing an impenetrable wall
to the encroachments of Russia. All labored with
equal energy to defeat her wiles and arrest her
progress. Angry remonstrances were freely
sent to st. Petersburg, and the British anSsassa-
dor was fond of despatching steamers in all
haste for the British feet.
Now however, that the most direct viola
ton of Turkeys rights has been attempted, we
hear of no practical movement being made to
interfere with Russia, The fleets are quietly at
anchor one hundred and twenty miles from
Constantinople. and diplomatic intercourse con-
tnues, in the most friendly manner between
the ravisher and the friends of his victim. Nay
more: not content with trampling on justice
and the faith Of treaties, the Gar absolutely
defes his neighbors and while profting by
their forbearance to commence the work of
spoliation, actually insists on their atoning for
the aggression by humiliating retreat. 1t is
difficult to find parallel in history for such
impudent audacity as this. Addressed to Spain
or Denmark, such overbearing conduct would
meet with prompt rebuke, and would elicit a
cry Of Indignation from the whole world. APP
piled to Great Britain and France, it either
evinces confidence in;their timidity, which we,
at all events, cannot share, or an insane reck-
lessness which is at utter variance with the
Characteristic policy of the Gar.
Unravel the skein who can one point is be-
yond controversy: England and France are now
challenged, in the face of all the world, by Rus
sia. They are not the aggressors. The step
they have taken Russia was bound to take, by
the last treaty signed by the very man who
now Issues circulars from the court at st. Pc
tersburs. Even that step has been rendered az
inoffensive as possible. 1t is the merest apology
for an Intervention; while the conduct of the
Gar would, strictly speaking, authorize
the entrance Of the Black Sea and the blockade
Of ST. Petersburg. France and England have
in word, pursued throughout policy of ange-
lie iorbearance, while they have been met with
intolerant arrogance and unprincipled faith
lessness.
To ask them to acknowledge that they have
been all along in the wrong, and to require
them to recede from their position, is to suggest
that they should stultify themselves in the sight
of oil Europe. 1t is to demand of them for
nal act recognizing their inferiority to Russia,
and their readiness to receive from the Gar
any terms which he may please to dictate. Com
pliance with such a request, urged in such
Tone and at such crisis would overthrow at
a blow the edifce which the skill Of English
and French and Austrian diplomats has spent
the last forty years in erecting. and would
take rank in history as the first uncquivocal
token of the decline of the Western Powers,
PUBLIC PLUMBER AT SAN FRANcIsco.-Tt is re-