The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-14
The Revolutionary Element IN the European
Conflict T. How VIII IL WORTH

Of chaos to which the political affairs of Europe
are fart tending has given rise on the part Of
tie press, one important element seems not to
have had due weight attached to It, although it
win exercise powerful influence in determin-
ing the condition in which the general disturb
ance Of all the old principles and landmarks
must ultimately settle down. Sovereigns may
make conventions and treaties, re-dlstribute
upon paper the existing territorial arrangements
Of Europe, and put in motion large armies and
fleets to carry ont their plans; but there is
power superior TO theirs, which in a moment may
convert into waste paper the most binding
compacts, upset the wisest calculations, and neu-
tralize and defeat the most skilful military
combinations. 1t is this element which, when
despotic governments think they have fortified
themselves against the chances Of the future,
by the INSCRIPTIONS arts of diplomacy and the
artificial support derived from political and
family alliances, periodically sweeps away all
these political safeguards, and vindicates at
once the justice of God and the natural rights
of man. But for its agency the wrongs and
suiferings Of the masses would remain forever
unredressed. Its potent voice will be heard
above all the din and uproar of the approach
ing conflict, and by its influence will its charac-
ter and Issue be ultimately determined This
element is the revolutionary principle
1t is worthy of note with what reserve the
English and French journals approach this
topic 1t is surrounded with so much delicacy
and difficulty that they are afraid to give it
present Importance by discussing it premature
ly. And yet they will have to look it steadily
in the face one Of these days.
Those who imagine that the danger to be APP
pretended from the Intervention of the revolu-
tionary principle in the impending struggle
lies in the efforts Of persons like Kossuth and
Ledru Rollin mistake the real position and in
fuence of these men. They have been throws
to the surface by accident, but have not had the
qualities necessary to keep them afoat in public
estimation. They are, besides, the incarnation
of socialism, which is as different from the
principles of true republicanism as base metal
is from sterling coin-as anarchy is from order
They have lost the confidence and esteem even
of their own section of the revolutionary party,
and it is questionable whether even under the
most favorable circumstances that might pre-
sent Themselves they would now be able to
originate movement amongst any considera-
bic portion Of their countrymen. No, the ac-
ton Of the party when it comes will be dictated
by other and more powerful Influences
For the present at least no revolutionary
movement is possible. In the commencement
of all great wars like that upon which Europe
is about entering, the spirit Of nationality
evoked in the struggle serves to keep in abey-
ance the political discomfort and resentment
that ordinarily help to swell the ranks of the
revolutionary party All sectional and party
differences are forgotten for the moment in that
all absorbing sentiment. When however, the
pressure of taxation, and the constant drain
that war entails. upon the life blood and re-
sources of a country, begin to make themselves
felt, as was the case in France after Napoleon's
campaigns, that sentiment becomes weakened
and the spirit Of faction again resumes its as
cendancy. Here will arise the real danger Of the
coalition 1t is the interest, as ii is avowedly |
the policy of Russia, to preserved strictly de- !
fensve attitude until she has exhausted her
enemies and brought them to the point when
the enthusiasm ftheir subjects will have cooled
down, and when the pressure of commercial and
financial distress will have rendered them ripe
for revolutionary experiments. No matter
what may be the successes gained at sea by the
maritime Powers, she evidently will not aban-
don that policy. She calculates upon the de-
struction of her feet and the interruption of
her commerce as inevitable incidents Of it; but
she makes small account of them in comparison
with the advantages that the ruinous system of
warfare to which she reduces the allies will
ultimately give her over them.
When we reflect on the enormous sums that
will be expended by the coalition in carrying
out their proposed plan Of operations, and
which in the case of Russia there is no prospect
Of ever being reimbursed by an indemnity, we
cannot help regarding the position of the allies
as being an exceedingly doubtful and precari-
BUS one. England and France are both already
overtaxed to point which renders further
strain upon their resources a matter of grave
apprehension to their respective governments
Now, the war upon which these Powers are en-
ering will be in all probability an unprece-
lenieaiiy severe and protracted one, aud will
laily add to this cause of anxiety. Tn proper
ion as the burdens of the people accumu-
ate their means of meeting them viii diminish,
or commercial operations will be to a certain
legree interrupted, and the sources of
industry dried up. 1t is evident that in
uch state of things the popular enthusiasm
favor of th.s war vii soon die out in Eng
--a, whilst in France, where it has never risen
% very high temperature, it will probably be
converted into reactionary feeling against
he government. Russian influence and Rus
ian gold will be layishly employed to foment
his spirit and to fan into flame the revolu
.ionary elements that are at present kept in
,heck by the TACT, energy and momentary popu-
arity of Louis Napoleon. If the French revo
Iutionists do not do the work of the Gar the
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