The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-11-02
OUR EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENCE.
BERLIN, PRUSSIA, Oct. 4, 1854

On the strength of the most reliable author
ity, | am warranted in contradicting, as alto
gether unfounded, the rumors which are circu-
lating relative to the alleged deep dependency
of the Emperor of Russia Instead of exhib-
iting the least indications of detected spirits,
the Car appears more confident than ever of
ultimate success. Considering himself as the
chosen instrument of Heaven for extending the
power of Russia and the creed of the Greek
Church, he looks upon his present reverses as
mere trials, which he has to undergo, in order
the more to deserve the immortal glory which
he is destined to acquire by the complete VIC
tory over the mighty forces that are now oppo-
sing the realization of the immutable decree of
the Supreme Power.
have also learned, from intelligent and we'll
informed travellers lately arrived from Moscow
and several other parts of the interior of Russia,
that the great body of the Russian people
| evinced, everywhere, the most unbounded con-
| fdence in the invincbility of the Russian ar
| mics, well as in the infallible wisdom of the
| Gar. 1t was only among the better informed
classes, that some doubts could be perceived
with regard to the results of the present war.
But not even one Russian had been heard eX-
| pressing the least disapprobation with regard
to the course of policy pursued by the Empe-
ror. They acknowledged, with evident admira-
| ton, his eminent abilities his great firmness,
and his interchangeable activity, at the same time
as they defended the justice of his cause
| Everywhere much hatred was displayed against
| the enemies of Russia, and especially against
| the English, who were charged with wantOn
| cruelty and Unsuitable avarice. Austria was ac
| cused of duplicity, and even treachery, while
| the German States of the second and third Or
der were spoken of with the greatest contempt
and as liable to being most severely punished
| should they refuse to unite with Prussia, which,
| it was generally believed would, before next
| spring, openly take part with Russia. But some
| fear was expressed that the Swedes, whom the
| Russians deem to be the bravest people On the
| face of the globe, would abandon their neutral
| ity, and in the course of the next year unite
| with the French and English, in Attacking the
| fortresses of Sweaborg and Cronstadt, which,
| after the reduction of Bomarsund have ceased
| to be considered as altogether unimpregnable.
But, on the other hand, the laughable opinion
was generally expressed, that the United States
| of America would in the course of the next
| spring, send an immense feet to the Baltic in
order to cooperate with that of Russia, which
would thus be enabled to face the combined
| English and French fleets. This opinion was
maintained, not only by people of subordinate
ranks, but even by persons in the very highest
positions. Hence We see, that the Russians do not
look upon an alliance between Despotism and
Democracy as altogether an impossibility. 1t
would be rather interesting to trace the cause
which has produced, i'll Russia, an opinion,
which must necessarily appear very ridiculous
to American readers and | might, perhaps, in
the course of some time, be able to satisfy this
very natural curiosity.
| cannot forbear here to observe, that though
the communication by sea between the Baltic
| provinces of Russia and the ncighboring coun-
tries is very difficult, account of the existing
| blockade of the Russian ports, still it has not
been altogether interrupted and | knew my.
self two captains, the one Swede, and the
| other German, who have made two successful
VOYAGES, each, from Kiel and Lubbock, to Fin
nish ports, in the Bay of Bothnia. There is
also great trade carried on by the way of
Haparanda, on the frontier river, the Tornea,
between Sweden and Finland, Much injury as
the present war has caused the Russian trade,
it has, however, been far less than what might
have been anticipated; and | have heard sew
eral merchants from Finland and st. Peters
burgh say that they have had no great cause of
complaining of the present state of things.
Some indeed said that they had during the past
summer made more money than they would
have done during two years of peace From
my own observations, feel convinced that the
Governments of England and France have, in
part been miscalculating relative to the injury
which the presence of their fleets in the Baltic
would inHict upon the commercial interest OF
Russia. As long as the German ports are not
blockaded, and Sweden remains neutral, Russia
will be provided with all the necessares which
it wants from abroad.
1t deserves especial notice, that, while the
Gar on account of the esteem and love of the
great majority of his subjects, feels himself
strong against external foes, the German Prin-
ces, on the contrary, being, with few exceptions,
hated or despised by their respective people
deem themselves, in the consciousness Of the
little real strength which they possess, obliged
to pursue the vacillating course of policy, rea'
tive to foreign Powers, which renders them sc
despcable in the eyes of the whole civilized
world, and exposes them to constant abuses in
so many foreign journals
The Often-repeated rumOrs of the existence
: in Russia. of considerable party hostile to the
Gar, seem to be altogether unfounded, except
| as far as they may refer to the Poles but even
| the majority of these are to be viewed rather
as enemies of their Russian masters than as
personal foes of the Car. There are no doubt
: a great number of persons among the Russian
nobility who entertain luminosity towards the
Emperor Nicholas: still they are not in the
state of an organized body, from which revo
: lutionary attempt might be dreaded. But, as
the Autocrat has nothing at all to fear from the
great mass of his subjects, the only danger thai
t might arise to him from within is from the
aristocracy, or. rather, the bureaucracy; and
hence it is against that powerful class alone he
seems to be on his guard. But in Germany
5 on the contrary, there are but few States IL
which not the great body of the people enter
tain the most hostile feelings towards their ru
lers while these are supported only by the
aristocracy and the standing armies. 1t NIGH
therefore be Justly said that the Government o
the Car harmonizes with public opinion IL
Russia. while the German Princes rule in {
manner altogether opposed to the wishes ano
views of the majority of their subjects.
; The King of Prussia, actuated by his dynas
tic interests, breads the power OF France mucf
| more than that of Russia, and would probably
rather reign as the Cars riceroy than increase
his own power by acquiring the affection OF nj
subjects il admitting them to due share o
political freedom. Desiring to exercise uncon
trolled authority, 1t is agreeable to his interes
to side with Russia but the fear OF provoking
, a revolution induces him to pretend that hi'
course of policy is dictated by regard for TIM
real interests of his people. We do not fine
fault with him for acting according 10 his sup
: nosed advantage, but we are warranted in cen
surfing him for his want of sagacity in not per
ca;v;no which are his true interests, and for at
tempting to sail under false colors, in pretend
inc to be guided by the desire of promoting the
, prosperity of the nation over which he rules
, irvh;Ia he is actuated only by mistaken selfin
terest. The King of Prussia torgets that the
intelligence aud knowledge OF the Prussians
have long ago rendered them unnt paqentiy
, to bear the yoke of slavery, while the sqnjecs
!, of his brotherinlaw the Gar yet remain, w'tI
!, the exception of but small minority very wei
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