The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-01-20
HISTORICAL RETRIBUTION-THE
EMPEROR AND THE GEAR.
(ERnM TIE KEW YORK HERALD

! of the greatest military monarchies in the
world-tbe victor of Austerlitz and the van.
quished of Eylann and Friedland-held that
memorable interview which led TO the sigma
tnre of the treaty of Tisit Cordial were the
embraces, and solemn the protestations of
friendship which were exchanged upon that
OCCASION for, apart from any immediate mo-
/ tive for discrimination, the two Emperors en-
tertahed for each other sentiments of admira-
ton and esteem. The friends of constitu-
tional liberty throughout the world trembied
| for the result Of that ominous alliance; but
their apprehensions were short lived The
engagements of monarchs arc proverbally
| inscribed in sand, and those of Napoleon and
Alexander were not destined to prove an ex-
ception to the rule In little better than five
wears after these VOWS of eternal fidelity had
been interchanged, the Gar again declared
war against the man for whom he professed
such extravagant regard; and then recon-
menced that deadly contest which, in the dis
asters Of the Russian campaign, dealt the first
decisive blow to the mighty fabric of the
French empire, and terminated, to all appear
ance, in the utter extinction Of the Bonaparte
dynasty.
In violating the solemn engagements which
he had contracted with Napoleon, it is true
that Alexander yielded to what some would
term political necessity; but, although in the
ethics of craftsmanship such treasons may
find an excuse, they are not the less intrae-
tons of that higher code of morality which
should regulate the actions Of soyereigns rs
well as of individuals. IT, in his subsequent
conduct towards the man TO whose downfall
he had contributed we could discover some
trace of remorse for the breach Of his plight
ed fath-some ouIbursts of the generous and
chvalrous feelings which were supposed to
be inherent in his characterize might still
find some palliation for his treachery. How
he fulfilled the expectations of his admirers
in circumstances so favorable to the display
of his magnanimity is matter of history, and
need not be recaptulated here. Suffice 1t to
say, that his conduct reflected but little credit
on either his head or heart, and that time has
reserved for it its appropriate reward In the
affairs of empires, rs well MS Of persons, there
is a retributive Justice which suffers no wrong
to remain unatoned for and no perjury to re-
main unpublished.
Eight and thirty years have elapsed since
the execution of that questionable treaty by
which the allies hoped to have consummated
the destruction ofthe formidable power which
had so long troubled their reposc; and yet by
singular concurrence of events which the
mysterious interposition Of Providence rather
than the policy of man has brought about,
we seem again to find ourselves at the cul-
mnating point of its influence, when it might
be said to hold the destinies of Europe in its
hands. Yes, despite Of all the efforts of the
Holy Alliance to crush with indignites while
living the spirit, and to cover with infamy
when dead the memory, of the illustrious
captive whom the fortune fwar had delivered
into their hands-dcspite Of all their attempts
to prescribe and neutralze the influence of
his name-we again see the star of his for
tunes in the ascendant, his fame and princi-
pies indicated, and his wrongs on the eve of
being redressed.
And-strange revolution of destiny-again
we behold pitted against each other on the
theatre of European politics the heads of the
same powerful monarchies, in the persons of
| a. e, lao he
brother of Observation-Disclosures of their souvenirs
as well as of their principles, of their hatreds
as wei! as of their rights. This time, how
ever, the roles are changed. 1t is no longer
the Car who heads coalition against tho
Emperor. 1t is the Emperor who heads n
coalition against the Car.
That the time has at length arrived when
Russia will have to make a bitter atonement
for the perjuries of Alexander, and the indig-
mites practised on the prisoner Of St. Helena
no one can doubt who has watched the pro-
gress of the Turco Russian complication, and
the crafty and far-sighted policy pursued by
the French Emperor. He has concurred in
the temporizing measures recommended by
, the Aberdeen Cabinet only TO draw Nicholas
deeper into the tolls into which his own folly
and impetuosty first plunged him; and now
that the latter can neither advance with safe
ty nor retreat with honor, he will either DO
compelled to drink the cup Of humiliation to
the dregs, or be remorselessly sacrificed to
. the names of his brothers victim. In any
J. case he cannot expect to escape unscathed.-
He is first on the list of the avenger
RAIL ROAD ACCIDENTS IN EUROPE AND
l THEIR CoNsEQUEHcEs.-Tho old despotic gov
crnments have habit of looking sharply into
| matters pertaining to the veal of their sub
, ccts. Illustrative of this, Paris correspon-
: dent writes as follows:
: The accident of the Versailles has not as
yet been fatal to any of the victims, although
several continue in n precarious state. The
D pieces of the broken rail, which was the cause
of the disaster have been carefully collected
and seals have been placed upon them. Ex-
= ports will be called upon to say whether, from
the appearance of the several parts, the Com
= pany could have known there was flaw in
!, the iron, and that the rail was unsafe. From
4 the opinion given, the Chamber of Accusation
: will or will not, indict the agent of the Com
pany for culpabe negligence resulting in
= broken bones.