The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-22

the Revslutss~ary nlsnsat In me Huro-
pean Question.
The quiescent attitude ofthe European revolu-
tionists, in presence Of the storm which has been
gathering in the political horizon for the last
twelve months, has contributed in no small de-
gree to aggravate the uneasiness with which its
advent was viewed by the different governments
in whose States occasional insurrectionary out
breaks have become, as it were chronic symp-
toms. The absence of the plots and rumors OF
plots which usually keep the police on the q'H
pipe in the continental capitals, denoted tie
existence Of some extensive and well concerted
plan Of action. which awaited only the breaking
out Of war for it's definitive execution. Whilst
this sudden paralysis Of movement at the ex-
tremities indicated something like vital suspen-
sion, it was known that the heart of the revo-
lutionary system was in full activity. and that
the Central Committee in London was occu-
pied with the details of comprehensive scheme
which was TO take simultaneous effect at diff
ferent points.
In late letter from one Of our correspond
ents, the hopes on which this policy Of Austen
ton on the part of the socialist leaders in
France is founded were clearly pointed out
and it would seem from the course which the
French Emperor is pursuing, that he is fully
given to the jealous watchfulness of his gov.
eminent is only intended to precipitate him the
more readily by the confidence Of false secu
rity, into the ENHANCEMENT of general war
during which it is expected that some
favorable opportunity will be found for over.
throwing him. On the eve Of great
popular crusade, which is likely to alb
sorb or direct into another channel
the hostility Of the great body Of the republican
party, he might, however, safely conide his
interests to the patriotic feelings of the coun.
try. A period Of war is never favorable to in.
surrectionary manifestations, as the local and
sectional differences that lead to them become
swallowed up in more important considerations
Notwithstanding the force Of this truth, which
the socialist leaders themselves seem to have
lost sight Of, Louis Napoleon has been endeavor-
ing to secure the ground before him by coquet-
ting, through the medium of Prince Murat with
the exiled revolutionists of Italy and Poland
whose meetings and organization, it is said, he
has even indirectly sanctioned. In this he ha
had double object. By seeking to control
and WELD the revolutionary element in
the approaching struggle he holds at
once q powerful check over the Ger
man governments and secures the internal
tranquility OF his own dominions. With the
popular sympathies that will be evoked in his
favor by a war with Russia, there is no doubt
that he will soon find himself in position to
despise not only the plots Of the red repub-
licans, but the intrigues of the legitimist and
Orleans factions. Thus fortified, he will be
enabled, after Q time, to relax the restrictions
upon the press which he has hitherto deemed
essential to his safety, and perhaps, too, to give
q constitution to France that will be more in
accordance with the genius and enlightened
character Of her people, and that will approx
mate more closely to the principles of parlia-
mentary government
The same causes will contribute to protect
the German governments against the revolu-
tionary movements Of which they have hitherto
lived in hourly dread. The Independent po-
sition assumed by Austria and Prussia on this
Eastern question, and which there is every
reason to believe will be followed by the
smaller States, must have the effect of con-
ciliating towards them the sympathies Of their
subjects, and ofrendering abortive any attempt
to disturb by force their present arrangements.
With the mutual confidence engendered by this
improved state of things these governments
may be gradually encouraged to relax the Sc
verify Of their rule, and to make such conces-
sions to the popular liberties as will secure
them against any further cause for uneasiness.
The CONSISTENCY OF THE SENATE.-The news
paper organ Of the Senate says that it has
nothing to do with the motives which led to
Mr.. Sanders rejection as Consul to London,
and asserts that "that august body (the Sem
ate) is not to be supposed to act ignorantly or
This is all very well. We were
never in favor Of the appointment of Mr.. San
ders though he did occasionally correspond
with this Journal, for we were strongly opposed
to the removal Of old Col. Aspinwall from
post he had filled with credit to himself and sa-
tisiaction to every one for so many years. We
do not therefore object to the conduct of the
Senate in rejecting Mr.. Sanders appointment
He has his merits, and we are well aware of
them: but they were not qualifications for the
post of Consul to London, and the Senate did
right probably in refusing to ratify him in that
Office. But what glazing inconsistency there
is in rejecting Sanders and confirming O'Sulli-
van, Soule, Owen, Belmont, Mason and others,
who are every way as unfit to represent the