Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-29
WAR IN EUROPE.

ened contest between Russia and Turkey.
Our readers may remember that we stated
some weeks ago our conviction that an Euro
pean war was unavoidable. That conviction
was not founded more on the plain, aggressive
policy of Russia than on the enthusiasm which
that policy had created among the people, and
more especially among the soldiery of the OF
toman empire. The condition of things was
such that the Sultan Of Turkey could not avoid
hostilities but on the supposition that the Rus
sian Car would make retractions utterly incon-
sistent with Russian policy, Us presented and
exempliGed in the course which the Emperor
Nicholas has hitherto pursued. The history
of politics does not present an example of more
undertaking consistency-of long continued
pertinaeious diplomatic and military effort
than that presented by Russia herself.
1t may be that the announcement of actual
hostilities is premature. Yet we have but little
doubt that actual hostilties have been or will
soon be commenced. The condition of Europe
is such as to force that result at no very dis.
tant day; unless obstacles be interposed which
rations can foresee or understand. And nj
though we regret to see bloodshed, and shrink
from the contemplation of the unspeakable woes
which cling around all wars, yet We arc not to
be numbered amongst those who do not look
with hope and satisfaction to the great contest
which must soon convulse Europe. Violent
diseases require violent remedies; and although
much useless suffering has been inflicted on
mankind by the pride and jealousy of princes,
and although much suffering must be inflicted
by even necessary and proper contests between
nations, yet war called forth by necessity
springing from the condition Of things has
never yet failed to vindicate great principles or
TO secure important advantages for them.
English diplomacy has been almost as con.
sistent as Russian diplomacy; still the British
cabinet committed great bunder when it
permitted the Holstein war to close under cir
cumstances that enabled Russia to transfer a
hundred and fifty thousand troops from her west
ern to her eastern European border placing
it in the power Of Austria to crush Hungary
and Italy. But there is Divinity doth shape
our ends, rough-hew them how we will. He
has read history to but little purpose who does
not believe that there is an overruling necessity
or Providence which directs the great decisive
movements Of society. But for such Provi.
dence there could be no continuity in history,
and no philosophy could be extracted from its
teachings. The facts Of history would be but
as dry bones strung upon cord, labelled in
chronological ORDER giving no idea of form
or shape or system. The present condition Of
affairs between Russia and Turkey bids fair to
correct the errors which English diplomacy
committed four years ago.
For many years-for many decades, Russia
has been pressing TO the East. Napoleon Bo-
naparte, when assailed by England, and DESTROYS
OF making an ally of Russia, drew up plan Of
campaign, with all the care and minuteness that
always characterized his apparent boldness, for
Cossack invasion of India. That paper is
yet in the possession Of the Russian govern
ment. But what its contents are no one in
America, we imagine, is able to tell; yet Rus
STA has always been pressing to the East Only
two practicable roads were open to it. The
indomitable courage, and unsleeping watchlnl-
ness ofthe Circassians-takng advantage ofthe
strong defences Of the Caucasian mountains
have thus far blocked up one of these roads.
The other road passes through Turkey, and the
great Russio- Turkish question resolves itself
into this: VIII England and France permit
n great bulwark, necessary for.their own Sc
curity, to be broken down? When the Gar
of Russia desired the possession Of CONSTANT
nople Napoleon Bonaparte, who was then dis
posed to make large concessions, said that he
could not concede that, for the possession of
Constantinople was the empire Of the East. II
the Ottoman Empire be destroyed the road to
India is opened, and the way to Algeria is
opened also.
But there are other great points in this pend
ding war. England and France must sympa
thise with Turkey. Prussia and Austria must
aympathise with Russia. Hungary and Italy
can interpose on the flank of the Russian
armies. They can check, if they do no more,
the movements Of the house Of Hapsburg.
The democratic sentiment Of Germany, which
was betrayed not fairly beaten, five years ago
will force Prussia to be neutral, or rebuke o
breach of neutrality by speedy and condign
punishment. Looking to all the bearings o.
the war question, and discarding from eonside
ration the plain and manifest interests of Tho
United States--looking upon it only as involv
ing the advancement Of correct ideas and bette
institutions in Europe-we really and truly de
sire that the next arrival from beyond the AT
lantic may bring the news that war has begun
In the sound of the FIRST gun we win recogniz,
a voice that tells Of incalculable advantages Il
the United States--a voice that prociaims tina
republican ideas have yet another chance for as
tendency in Europe.
ESFa The number of offers of aid to .he Turk