The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-31

THE OLD STORY OF AN EUROPEAN CONGRESS-
We perceive that the project of an European
Congress to settle the questions at issue between
the Western powers and Russia, and to which
we were the first to call attention some months
since, has been revived by certain journals here,
known to hold intimate relations with some of
\ the great political parties abroad who have
treason to feel nervously anxious as to the turn
that matters may take. Whether the object of
resuscitating the ghost Of this defunct scheme
be to obtain credit for priority of stale intel
ligence, as is the practice in the quarters al
luded to, or to promote some particular object
Of the foreign clques with which they are allied,
we cannot Of course take upon ourselves to
say, but as to the improbability Of the state
ment thus confidently put forward there can
not be aseoond opinion. That Lord Palmerston
at one time seriously entertained this project
and even took the initiatory steps to carry it
out, we had authentic information as early as
January last but this was before the Western
powers had committed themselves to active
hostilities against Russia, and whilst the door
of reconciliation was still open. The scheme
appeared to us to be then perfectly feasible, aad
had not extraneoas elements been introduced
into the discussion of the questions at stake,
we have very little doubt that Russia
might have been induced to lend favor
able ear to it. Unhappily the tone
adopted by the English and French press to-
wards the Gear personally, and the contemptu-
Gus manner ia which the resources OF his en-
pire were estimated, acted upon his proud and
irrascble temperament with most cxasperat-
ing effect, and only served to confirm him in
the obstinacy Of his purpose. He felt that,
however great the sacrifices to which contest
with the great maritime powers Of Europe
might expose him, he could at that time make
no concessions that would not be attributed to
weakness, and even cowardice, on his part.
We should like TO know in what respect the
circumstances have since changed, to render
the Emperor more ready to entertain pro-
posal which must involve still heavier sacri-
flee of his feelings and interests. lie has been
bufieted and reviled by all the leading states
men Of England and France, his private and
confidential communications with the diploma
lists resident at his court have been laid bare to
festoes whether justly or not we DO not pre-
tend to say held up to public laughter and
scorn. his ports blockadcd, his commerce cut
of, and one of his finest cities bombarded and
partly destroyed. If he felt difficulty about
making concessions before it is impossible that
be can make any now. His honor and his interests
alike forbid it. To yield without having first
been fairly beaten in the field, would reflect
disgrace upon his manhood and upon the sim
certify Of the motives that he has put forward in
justification of bis conduct. To attempt to set
tie the questions at issue by diplomatic con-
vention, at this early stage Of hostilitcs, would
be as injurious to his interests as the most
disastrous military reverses. The coalition,
flushed with their present temporary advan-
tages could not be expected to revert to the
status quo ante beiium, and the hard
earned results Of the policy Of Catherine