Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-02-17
Gloomy Prospect in Europe. and
Famine,

War is bad enough at any time, but when
il comes upon nations al time Of great and
general scarcity; tits ten fold more terrible
Ireland is in want of food England is uuea-
sy. Want begins 10 show itself so oppressive
= as to lead to popular clamor and outbreak
for bread. France has been for the last III ee
or four months endeavoring to keep down ex-
citment by paying the bakers what orer
the usual price of bread out of the govern.
ment funds. And yet war is close upon these
nations England is going to work cody and
deliberately to fortify her coast. and Man her
Navy. The following is from "the London
Leader" which will give US some idea of the
feeling in England.
In point Of fact, then, the entire nation Of
Great Britain is deliberately and voluntarily
about 10 go to war. 1t has made up its mind
that now, after thirty eight years of general
peace, an emergency has arrived in which it
is necessary to have recourse again 10 the last
and most terrible mode Of human action either
for aggressive or for defensive purposes--the
annhilation, by steel and guDpowder, of all
that portion Of the very contents OF our globe,
human beings and their buildings included
which is charged with the element oi hostility
and injury. A great political power called
| Russia, so fan behind ali similar powers on the
earth as to be accounted barbarous, has long
been extending its influence beyond its origi-
nal limits, and is now proposing 70 take under
its stewardship the most important parts Of
Eastern Europe and Western Asia, with an
ulterior view TO dominion in v estern Europe
and in India; this power has been reasoned
with, lectured, and treated ddactcally with nc
effect; and now there RI mains nothing else
than, either 10 allow it all the extent OF geo.
graphical stewardship it wants, or, if we re-
gard that as an evil, to walk up to the power
seize il by sheer force, and inflict on il such a
mutilation as will cure it for ever both OF the
desire and of the faculty of this detestabe
stewardship. The process may cost us mil.
lions, but it must be undertaken and carried
to conclusion. And what may reconcile us
to the war thus rendered necessary is that
according to the most severn mode Of judg
ment it is strictly defensive war Ii is q
war of the West in defence Of her civilization
1t is war of Great Britain in. defence of he,
commerce, her colonies. her liberties, her NOR
al greatness, and the very substance OF her in
habitants.
The following which we clip from Pari:
correspondent will show TO some exts Il a
least the state of things in France. All Eu
rope appears to be in state Of excitement
Men are being enlisted. War ships are being
fitted up for service; all is activity. War
and the want of bread, and its enormous price
are the topics of conversation in every circle
But here is the extract:
France has settled down in the conviction
that she has trouble before her, and seems de-
termiued to meet it with a good face. The
conduct of the Government has been suct
from the commencement of the Eastern dill
cuIles as to inspire confidence. where befor,
but little existed, and the Adm nistration ha.
gained hosts Of friends as its policy was un
rolled from day TO day. From the first, til,
French Government has endeavOrGd to max,
peace, and its influence his been great be
cause its policy is firm. and free from after
tbough it has been the dream of Louis Ma
poleon to become the great European medi
ator, and even as late az the sending OF Bara
quay d'HDlirs to Constantinople the mos
positive orders were given to spare no effort t,
bring about peace. know from positiy,
authority that the French Cabinet has, Oh
several occasions, fell confident that its effort
were about to be crowned with success; anC
can only account of this hallucinaiion by us
ing the old adage that the wish must hav,
been father to the thought" With the Cab
met it rcay have been only matter Of sci
love perhaps it was fear of the Cars power
but il is difficult to understand how the Frencl
Government could SO far delude itself as L
the real designs of Russia. as not to know tina
all The 6ne words which proceeded from III,
Cabinet OF St. Petersburg, were but masks {,
cover up its real designs until certain advan
tages might be obtained, OF that new event
might develope themselves in Western Eu
rope to divert attention.
--1Ob-