Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-27
AUsTRIA-HER MOTIVES FOR JOHN
ING THE ALLIES.

AUsTRIA-HER MOTIVES FOR JOHN
ING THE ALLIES.
After six months of shifts and subterfuges,
Austria ESQ the foreign news informs us) has
resolved at last to join the confederated forces
of England and France. This unexpected
resolution, happening at time when the effort
of the allies to subdue Sebastopol are still UNI
successful, is well calculated to excite surprise.
1t was but yesterday that those of our Ameri-
can dablers in foreign affairs, who are accus-
toned to speak with more warmth than know
ledge, were asserting fippantly that Austria
will never Join the allied powers unless she
knows the result of the conflict" Unfortun-
ate Cassdndras! No result has yet taken
place, and Austria has entered the western
compact.
According to all appearances, it is to be be-
lieyed that Austria did not embrace such a
determination without being led to it by the
most imposing reasons and the grayest mo-
tves. Indeed, the Importance of this step,
displacing as it does all her interests, destroy,
ing the traditions Of her policy, making her join
powers with which she had always been ad-
verse, and placing her in direct hostility with
Russia, her star, and lately the ruler of her
destinies, cannot be overrated. Who knows,
admitting the fact to be confirmed, the result
for Italy and Hungary of such an alliancef
Is it not to be supposed that her interests, once
modified by the interests of her new partners,
she will be compelled to yield what she was
formerly bound to refuse? We do no, want to
allow our imagination to run too hurriedly to
conclusions, but we cannot help thinking that
this new combination, in spite Of the predictions
Of the republican exiles, can but benefit the
interests of Democracy and self-government
on the other side Of the Atlantic. Let Us
not forget that, though suppressed, prosecuted,
and condemned the democratic spirit, is strong
enough to exercise an influence upon the de-
cisions of European cabinets, and inperious
enough, in its humble condition, to- dictate
such conditions as would have seemed impos-
sible even at the time Of the revolution of
"'4s." One of the most surprising effects of
the Eastern contest is, TO have made Russia
instrumental in carrying out the wishes OF the
Republicans, and to have forced the Car to
confess the necessity of using the revolutionary
element as a means to bring Austria under his
direction. So it has been said by German pa
pers known to be supported by Russian money
that Nicholas was going TO help the Hunga-
rians and Lombards to shake off their yoke
and proclaim their independence. This, OF
course, has not been without its effect upon
the resolutions of the Austrian cabinet. If to
this very significant omen, we add the long and
protracted struggle which for years and years
has been carried on in Germany by the three
distinct and separated Influences Of Russia,
Prussia, and Austria, in1order to obtain the
ascendancy in the German Confederation; if
we reflect upon the close family alliance exist
ing between the two former--upon the well
known tendency on the part Of Russia TO alb
sorb Northern and Eastern Europe-we will
not be SO much surprised at Austria's resolu-
ton, nor so much frightened at the conse-
auences of that alliance upon the ultimate fate
of democracy in Europe.
One of the most striking features Of contem-
porary history, is, perhaps, the immense infu.
ence of the Muscoyite spirit in Germany and
the curious means through which that influence
has been obtained. A comparison viii help us
to make them ineligible. Our readers are
acquainted with those companies Of free-boot-
ers Of the middle age that we're wont to sell
a ..--.z..f A. A. h.uka. laado,a Wilt
Russia has treated Germany as one Of those
companies, by bribing her nobility like free
hooters captains services, to the design Of her
ambitious projects; so that Germany is to-day
divided into two main parties; the one COM
posed Of barons, dukes, and princes belonging
to Russia, the other including the universities
and the middle classes leaning on the side Of
democracy. But here, it is necessary for the
better understanding Of our idea to cast q
retrospective glance upon the reformation Of
public opinion in Germany, and the action
Of Russia in suppressing that opinion or mould.
ing il TO her own purpose.
Since the revolution Of "'s9," the influence
of public opinion has always been on the side
Of Democracy; and it needs only TO peruse the
words Of Klopstock, Goethe, Schiller, and the
two Humbolds, or TO have attended one Of their
courses Of philosophy, to be convinced Of the
fact But that progress was not only confined
to literature or philosophy, but II was wedged
into the social and political institutions Of the
Germans, in 1906, by Baron Stein, an erratic
genius, who, from hatred Of the French and o.
Napoleon the Great called up the revou
tionary elements TO carry out their vengence
Through his agency German feudslism wal
abolished, equality Of rights proclaimed, :
representative branch Of government estab
lished, in word, Stein employed in his strug
gle against the French tho same weapons, thu
| Eranch had uaad aaual,taan raars hack hQains