The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-28
Position Of aha United States In the European
ImbroSlio.


ImbroSlio.
Lord Palmerston's visit to Paris, and the
important results expected from it with refer
ence to Austria and Prussia, are not In reality
more significant events than the mission of Mr..
Soule to Spain, or the arrival of the last
Spanish messenger from Europe to Washing
ton On the one may depend the cooperation
of Germany in the Eastern war, either on the
side of Russia or on that OF the allies: on the
Others the first direct interference OF the United
States in European affairs And, though the
open alliance of Germany with the Gear, or,
on the other hand the adhesion of the German
Powers to the Western league, would inevita-
bly, be followed by consequences of the highest
moment to Europe, it is not to be disguised
that any events which might lead to embroil
the United States with any Of the leading ma
ti0ns Of that continent would be fraught with
far more signal Importance. On the one might
hang the destiny of Turkey and the fate of a
dynasty or two: but the whole world would
ultimately become embroiled in the contest
that would grow out of the other.
Ever since the visit of Kossuth to this coun-
try it has been the aim of the democratic
leaders in Europe to use us as the best instru-
ment for attaining their ends The character
OF our government, the sympathetic temper of
our people, and likewise in some measure the
desire for distinction and notoriety which pre-
walls among our public men, afforded pro-
missing groundwork The foreigners began
some time since. to put forward the United
States as the propagandist Of democracy in
Europe. Connections adroitly formed with
such men as Mr.. Soule and Others among our
foreign ENJOYS, favored the scheme. Many OF
our countrymen were delighted at appearing
to lead movement which counted among its
rank and file soldiers like Kossuth, Mazzini,
Louis Blanc and Victor Hugo; and readily
consented to give their names and their moral
support to actions or appeals which might
have failed in their aim had their real pater-
nifty been recognized. Americans, secure I'M
der the panoply of their foreign birth, could
venture to do and say things which might
have cost life aud liberty to q German or a
FIenchman; and hence, while the revolution
airy committee at London gave it out tina. it
was idle, and that the present was not the
time to move, the principles for which its
members were contending were being actively
scattered and sown on European soil by their
American friends 1t was doubtless through
the instigation Of this same committee at Lon
don that the congress of American ambas-
sailors was convened ct Ostend. To ap3re-
ciate the full Importance Of this movement
we must bear in mind that in countries no;
very far from o tend, the very name of u
republican is a passport to the police Office,
and the act of several democrats meeting to-
gether quite enough to induce governments to
order troops under arms. In fact, for doing
and saying the things done at Ostend BIZ
our ministers, Victor Hugo, and hosts Of other
Frenchmen, had been exiled. 1t was therefore
great thing for the committee to procure the
meeting of this congress; moral challenge
to kings and an open defiance to monarchists
Nor can we exaggerate the strength and support
1t must have given to the silent body of repub-
licans throughout the Continent.
We say that the idea of this congress emanat
ed from the revolutionary committee Of Lon
don: and that whether rightly or wrongly we
inquire not for the present. our Ministers to
Europe, following the lead Of Mr.. Soule. are
acting under its suggestions. What they will
do next remains 10 he seen; but whatever it be,
there is every reason to expect, judging from
views and aims OF Kossuth, Mazzini, and Ledru
Rollin.
There is but one point on which it is posi-
bic to bring about collision between Europe
and the United States. That point is Cuba.
On the Cuban question an ingenious system of
provocation on the one side, and blind spirit
of hostility on the other, may involve us in
hostilties with Spain, and possibly France and
England. To that point therefore the attention
of the democratic committee is now turned
There was at one time sore of prospect that
France might be inveigled into quarrel with
the United States on the subject of Mr.. Soule;
but that chance was lost when Napolean re-
tracted his offensive order. With England oil
is smooth and on the best possible footing. The
only chance Of mischief lies in the Cuban
question 1t must be admitted that it is
a promising one. Besides the contingencies
flowing from Mr.. SoulG's personal peculi-
critics, UGH as the prospect Of quarrels be.
tween him and the new ministers, or of new
attempts al revolution organized under
his superintendeDce--tb Black Warrior ques-
ton is not yet adjusted, and Congress will be
compelled in come way or other to notice the
fact Thus if Mr.. Soule does not pick quarrel
with the Spanish court. the correspondence on
the Black Warrior case will be likely to afford
an opportunity for an interruption of inter
course and if the latter he finally settled, the
former will be sure to get up some personal
sqnabble
These are at present the prospects on which
the revolutionaries Of London are founding
their hopes. 1t must be admitted that they
present much matter for reflection. In the
event of any trouble arising out Of Cuba, Span