The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-19

House of Commons on memorable OCCASION,
called the attention Of the sovereign and peo-
pie of Great Britain to the political axiom that
no country can come out of q war and stand in
precisely I same position which sic occupied
when it commenced. At later period the
Duke Of Wellington fattered tie pride OF his
countrymen, and perhaps chagrined their Jealous
neighbors on the Continent, by the legislative
assurance t at England could never have
little war" Burke's proposition was verified
after tie battle of Waterloo, when Great Britain
added some hundred of millions of pounds ster-
ling to er national debt, and left the French,
who to this day deny her the glory of victory,
jus. as much military people as ever they
were. 1t was very clearly demonstrated
second time, by the result of tie hattie of New
Orleans, when she lost her last foothold on the
territory Of the United States, ard was compell-
ell to dnfetter the most powerful commercial
antagonist that sire had ever before commended
with.
Msserialists I'm principle and by education,
her rulers are now about to test the soundness
Of the theory advnncedThy the great commander,
by going 10 war with Russia They assure the
people that this willsbe shOrt-a very short
war; consequently it will be little war, and
therefore the Duae of Wellington must have
erred.
Although our interests are not directly in
volred in the coming conflict, the people and
government OF the United States cannot remain
indifferent to its probable results, which will
in great measure affect us for good or i'll,
just in proportion as they influence the destiny
Of our mighty parent. Let us examine if that
destiny is likely to be more brilliant or clouded
when the struggle is ended.
In all her former wars England fought with
the conviction that she was upholding the
''rightdivine of kings;p that she was preserving
the conservative principles and exclusive priv
legesof feudal aristocracy, propagating re-
formed evangelism in religion, and aiding to
repress the infant aspirations of the people OF
Europe for liberty and cheap government. Her
councils were mostly unanimous for the reason
that her statesmen had but one object in view,
and victory generally attended her efforts, be-
cause she could either directly furnish army
after army from the hardy peasantry of the
now united kingdoms OF obtain hired force
from some of the more necessitous but more
populous countries of the Continent Guided
by one or other of the principles alluded to
above, she looked complacently on at The parti-
ton of Poland, and permitted that mighty bar
rier against that very northern aggression, as
she terms it, of which she now complains to be
swept away. Since that time she saw with in
difference Circassia exhaust herself in struggles
for her right and witnessed the fall of Hungary
without regret.
Since the year 1929, powerful party OF
united religienists have gradually attained to
political rank and station in England, and they
are naturally adverse to a war which is likely
to be made means efspreading a creed the oppo
site of their own. From the year 1882, another
party has been growing up in that country. the
members Of which like to calculate the cost of
war. look with jealousy upon the aristocracy,
and imagine that this Russo-Turkish dispute
may end in a great increase CT the permanent
taxes of England end a vast extension Of the
trade of America. without opening out any new
mart for the saaeOf their own manufactured
goods. The calculating Englishmen arc termed
The section lords" sthagreatcr part of the wal
party are landlords, and the line OF demarcatiou
between the viewsand wishes of each is very dis
tinct. Judging from her present position, there
fore, we incline to the opinion that this war viii
not serve the interests of the British empire She
is. as Lord Clarendon expressed it. drifting to.
wards' strife, in league with her uncrowned
ally of France for ahe purposes of propping up
a Mahommedan government and maintaining
the Mythical idea Of the '.balance of power in
Europe by arresting the progress CT the Russian
empire. When she attempted this feat before
it cost her the life of almost every soldier who
crossed the Indus, took about twenty millions
of money from her treasury, and all she effect
ed by the sacrifice was the opening Of Central
Asia as fertile field ACKNOWLEDGMENT for the
Cars. Will she be more successful now? We
doubt it very much. Lords Russell and Palmers-
ton say that the war will he short one; but il
would not surprise US to end that it would cost
England some hundreds of millions Of cash. and
peril not only the existence Of an army but the
safety of the empire.
England enters upon This war with doubt aud
councils as to its propriety. During the recent
debate in the Commons every one of the con-
ficting interests of which we have spoken above
were fully represented. Mr.. Cobden-of the
cotton lords-was favorable TO Russia, in the
hope of retaining good customer, and also on
the ground of the Christian religion. Lord John
SManners feared that in the end the allies would
betray Turkey through diplomacy, as they had
already destroyed the independence of her cabi-
Thy debating the very drafts Of The notes. iir-
mans, sencds and peace treaties to the Sultan's
ministers. Mr.. Drummond said ii was rolf
gious war, and requested the ministry if they
were in earnest. to at once set up Poland again.
and thus strike the first heavy blow at Russia.
Mr.. Gladstone. Sir Sidney Herbert apd Lorl
Aberdeen felt a sort Of Puscyite fraternity for