Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-02-09

ds,ion should already have assumed the form Of hos
uty the Getman Powers the bound preserve
their own independent course which alone tho
world from general confiagraton That 10 respons.
bity they cannot shake or Hitherto they have relied
on the greater energy and power of France England
to check the encroachmehts OF Russia on the Ottoman
Empire, and To preserve the balance OF power and they
have assumed the position OF secondary States intent
chiefly the preservation OF their own neutrality. We
class Prussia and Austria together In spite Of tho petty
Jealousies which ere perpetuay rising between them
cause distinguish substantial difference In tho
course they have pursued and both of them have much
more to fear from rupture with France and England
whole Of Europe. aud which few months must IN that
case bring to close. At present, however, neither
Austria Prussia holds that rank which once belong.
ed to them In Europe. There IL Maria Theresa or
Rauniiz at Vienna, there Frederic H. or uertrbcrg
at Berlin. and il is melancholy sign Of the present
condition Of the continent that these States
the bulk Of that great German people, should
count for lcss In the Affairs Of time than they did
throughout the Eighteenth century. But they still retain
as was stated the other day by influential journal
Vienna the power OF Saying the last word They have
tho advantage OF playing fourth hand though the trick
already made; and In spite Of the uuivea dislike to war
which even stronger on tho continent Of Europe than
1t Is IN this Island we have no doubt those
would command tho energetic support of their subjects
they emancpated themselves once Tor all from the ,hra
dom OF Russia and announced their resolution to uphold
anu enforce at oil hazards those terms Of psccaon to
.hcn they nave already given the stamp Of their aprov
al No reasonable doubt be entertained of their
opinions and wishes, which they have formally declared
W DC uentca WIN our own but IL is OF vital
10 their character aud possibly to their existence to show
tat they have the energy and Independence TO support
their COW lotions The forbearance of the Western now
ers has exhausted to the for peace and
has obtained TO the last tho concurrence of the Ger
man States We admit that they are not bound nv anv
posSe to make in support of those pro.
posas but they cannot be nsenshe to the wisdom of
maintaining throughout tho combined action nj Enrono
as The only secure basis which affairs of this
nde can be treated for do hesitate TO assert Ib.,
eoercNe measures undertaken by the four Powers CON
LOT mo sole purpose Of compelling the Emperor
Nicholas to submit TO their armed mediation nre r Iss
d dangerous to the general tranquility of Euronc ~ an
contest begun by two Of those Powers only against tho
Russian empire. How was avoided in $50 hut nv
the irm union Of England with the northern courts
winch rendered impossible for Franco to IN
her opposition to such oddsS Against whom can Tho 70
ssanee OF Europe be justly turned as apans,
esn who from selfish aud shorssighted motives has in
Jureu tue public interests of all nations almost "a much
as those OF his Intended vicms Nevertheiess N ali
these considerations the Emperor Nicholas opnos.s
Is" aeaoe temper heightened perhaps by the re-
"Sous enthusiasm or hereditary excitabiy of bis family
and stimulated by the enthusiasm of His neonl which
'uaeo win oarbarous contempt for nations whose now,
81 'ey cannot compare with their own Istorv scarce.
records more impressive example OF the effects or
% poWer uncontrolled by tho honest language of truth
with the world The Russian goyernmcn, b. 1880 so
,neir position In Europe, and the Russian nconi
imagine tnat the Gar is omnipotcnt abroad hocopsa r.
Is absolute nj home. Except the wiser members ~ hi
council VINO nave now lost all credit in the State The
real state Of things is unknown; public onnion 4. -,
~ excited in direction and no contr,dic,;on s ~
passionate will can reach the ear Of the soyerecn n y;
therefore, to reason the effects k.lv 70 h
produced on such ruler by any ordinary motives nj no
cy ana we can only rely the frm rniualiop
rope 10 use Tue irresistible strength which II possesses tn
mankind. Wv VS. "'e'ess u