The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-03-10
THE EASTERN QUESTION.

THE EASTERN QUESTION.
The Eastern question seems to be no
longer question. After about year of di'
plomstic words, the Emperor Nicholas has
solved the problem of general European
war by his refusal Of the final overtures
made to him by the polite and humane gentle
man who now occupies the throne of France
1t is said, by the way, that the reply of Nj
cholas to Napoleon is not only very fiat and
decided negative, but that it is couched in
STYLE so bearish that the French government
Journal deems it best not to publish it. We
are sorry that so rich production should be
suppressed. We can imagine that the Rus.
sian autoerat is considerably incensed by the
gratuitous advice which he has received from
the parrenu ruler of France. One account
informs us that the Car is afflicted with the
erysipelas and is very irritable. There will
be more serious eruption in his dominions,
ere long, than in his august countenance.
But there is no knowing what to believe in
these European reports. One thing only is
certain, and that is, that England and France
allies almost for the first time in their history,
are at war with Russia.
Yet, certain as this is we find il impossible
to realize that Russia has involved herself,
not only in contest with Turkey, but sim
gle-handed and alone, against England ana
France, two greatest military powers OF the
earth. Much has been said about her vast
military resources, but it is difficult to see
how a power which has been so easily re-
PEELED by the Turks, is to make head for
moment against the combined forces of Eng
land, France and Turkey. 1t is true that the
Car can raise multitudes of men, but we
look in vain, in any illustrations which the
war on the Danube has afforded, for the mill
tary skill and aptitude, without which multi
tudes serve no other purpose than to feed the
mouth of an enemy's cannon.
Since the declaration of Lord Clarendon
that the French and English alliance had re-
ference to Western as well as Eastern affairs,
we have felt a considerable diminution of
sympathy with the allied cause. We wish
we'll to the Turks, on account of the intrepid
ty with which they defend theirrights, but, we
cannot rejoice in the consolidation of an alli-
ance which is designed to operate against the
policy of the United States as we'll as that of
Russia. We feel sure that the allied forces
must triumph over Russia by sea and land,
but we do not forget that our turn may come
next. However, if Russia could make stout
fight and draw the German powers to her
side of the quarrel, or if the new allies, whose
banners have not foated in amity since the
DAYS of the Crusades, should fall out now as
they did then, we should not shed many tears
over the result. France is the ancient and
natural ally of the United States and, in aid
ing England to curb our progress in the West,
she is strengthening an old enemy at the ex-
pense of valuable friend. 1t would be an
unnatural spectacle if Louis Napoleon repre-
sentative, rs he claims to be, of the democra.
tic principle of France, should fight under the
instigation of the victors of Waterloo,
against the friendly Republic of the United
States.
We care but little for this Eastern ques-
ton, except as the interests of our own coun
try are involved. The Turkish character and
cause enlist our sympathy, and the prodigious
military power of England and France pro-
vokes our admiration. Except for the poor
wretches, whose carcases will be strewed
over the plains of Europe, in quarrel in
which they have not the slightest personal
interest we should be glad to see all the mo-
narchies and aristocracies of the old world
blythe ears. But let them exhaust their ener-
gies upon European fields. 1t is our manifest
policy to reap the commercial advantages
which neutrality affords, and at once to lay
the foundations of a naval force which will
enable US to vindicate our own rights, when,
having settled the Eastern question, the new
allies turn their attention to that Western
question which they will find more difficult of
solution than any they have yet attempted.