The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-15
The Declaration of War I'm Europe.

We seldom print document of more politi-
cal and historical significance than the declara-
ton of war by the Queen of Great Britain
against Russia, which appears in our columns
elsewhere. 1t would be futile at the present
day to enter into any examination of the
grounds on which the declaration is based
the questions of the Holy Shrines, the Turko-
Russian treaties, Prince Menschikoff's mission
and the political rights of the Porte, have been
vexed long SINCE and now properly make way
for others of more practical and Immediate in
terest. War declared, it matters little how the
quarrel began; the only points worth deciding
at present are, which is the stronger of the COM
batants and how long is the struggle to last?
There is yet another reason why we care not
to examine the avowed basis of the declarations
of France and England. The real issues for
which nations have contended, in past times,
have almost invariably been concealed and
false pretexts put forward to blind the world
to the genuine motives Of the belligerents. In
this respect, the world seems to have made but
little progress since the Crusades. According
to the declaration of war; the Western Powers
seem to be arming for the defence Of Turkey :
according to the fact, they are taking the field
to antic, 'p ate the obvious destiny of Russian
ambition against themselves
The mo, e one reads European history, the
palmer Il becomes that ever since the Roman
empire. eve ITS have been regularly and period
cally repeati ng themselves. Men have changed,
and manners l. dynasties have been swept away,
and barbarism has yielded to civilization : rel-
gion has succee ded religion. and political forms
have assumed fr esh mouds with each successive
century but tb cycle Of events has revolved
steadily and unift rmly, and like results have in
yariably flowed ft ON the like causes. The Ro-
man empire. born il mystery and fable, died the
prototype of all the reat Powers that have since
arisen in Europe. Every great monarch has
aimed at realizing the boast of the Caesars. AZ
fer the Translation of the Roman empire to
Byzantium full three c, injuries elapsed before
anv ono sovereion was a lie to combine. out Of
the chaos into which Eur ope was plunged, the
elements of conquering Tmy' Az Tue close
of the eighth century Charlie magne arose-over-
run Germany and Italy-h, 10 france at MS
feet-was crowned with the, crown OF the Ce-
sars, and nearly held the pr re In MS grasp
Unfortunately, his work was b IL haif achieved
when death overlook him. and his successors
were unable to complete the Ia *. from the
death ofCharlemagne to the begnn ing OF the SIX
teenth century, the only power in I urope Wnich
set up pretensions to universal domin 'on was the
Papacy. But whatever power the limo cents and
the Leos, and the Phi gained in their lifetime,
they resigned at their death; and owever
potent their bulls, they avaled but little IN the
end against swords. Charles the Fifth did
more IN twelvemonth towards the estab nsh-
ment of a universal monarchy in Europe IT, an
the whole line of Popes had done during f\ 'e
Chance placed him on the two mos,
powerful thrones of Europe-Germany and
Spain; there is little reason to doubt that the !
sword so successfully welded at Pavia would
have done the rest, had not an enemy arisen
from an unexpected quarter. The corruptions
of the Romish Church at that time divided
Europe into two hostile camps, and prccluded |
the possibility of o universal European dynasty.
drove Charles into monastery.
A couple of centuries again elapsed before the
attempt was renewed with any serious chances
of success. 1t was France again this time
which strove to trampc the rest of Europe
under her feet, and Napoleon well nigh achieved
1t. Charlemagne had held France, pcsts Of
Germany, northern Italy, and tie coast OF Tie