Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-07

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FOREIGN PoLIcY-PoLrTIoAL sITuA-
TIONs OF THE EUROPEAN CABI-
NETS.
The actual position Of affairs in the ancient
world cannot fail, at the present time, to excite
the attention of the statesmen Of this country.
The'liyely interest which is felt in this subject
induces US to present to our readers an his
torcal sketch Of the present state of affairs in
Europe. This we, Of course, cannot accomplish
In single article. IN ...i.m "a .ss
The present political position Of Europe
rests entirely upon new principles Of policy.
IL has its origin with the coup detat of the
second Of December, 1851. 1t is fact album
dainty proved by history, that, whenever a
change Of government takes place in France,
a new system of policy introduces itself among
the nations of Europe. This axiom, true at
every period Of modern times, is exemplifed
by the series Of events before us. We would
not speak fit were it not to point out the I'M
precedented and unexpected feature of that
extraordinary occurrence. Those who have
watched the movements on the continent, are
well aware that the policy of the Empire has
upset every provision made by its friends or
enemies, and opened to Europe quite an un-
looked for outlet. s'i'e3 TEX m
Let us briefly recapitulate,the effects of the
coup d'etat No sooner was this bold act per-
petrated, than it was received with various and
opposite sentiments by the constituted powers
Of the old continent. Three Of the most pow
erful kingdoms received the news with tokens
of unmitigated JOY. Those three Kingdoms
were Austria, Russia, and Prussia. The
prince Schwarzenberg did not disguise his sat
isfaction; and, if our memory serves us right,
he sent, on that occasion, his good wishes to
Louis Napoleon. That example was followed
by Russia and Prussia, and letters Of congratu-
latiop were forwarded. Those steps demon
strate that the coup d'etat was looked upon as
an act Of absolute power, the effect of which
was toriyet the policy Of France to that Of the
sdespotic crowns of Europe. That feeling,
however, was not without an admixture of dis
trust. The re-establishmento Of the eagle upon
the French flags, and the return of the old
symbols, had awakened remembrances of con-
quests among the nations who had suffered the
most in the wars Of the empire. However,
that feeling subsidized before the prudent con-
duet Of Louis Napoleon. 81
q But if the action ofthe French republic had
brought about much satisfaction among the nor
thern and eastern powers of the continent, it
failed 10 produce the same effect upon the west
ern and southern States. England was moved;
Belgium and Piedmont trembled. Switzerland
could not conceal her fears, and even the old
worn out liberalism of Spain felt excited, and
uneasy behind the crumbIing walls Of the Es-
curial.
'a1 The way in which the announcement Of
the coup d etat was received by the English
press is too fresh in our recollection to be re-
peated here. 1t is, however, matter doubt
to us, whether the opposition it met in England
was really the expression of the policy Of her
government, or merely concession made to
the respect entertained for constitutional lib
serty, or to the affection of the masses for the
republic and the benefits it had conferred on
the people Of that country. Those who have
followed the course Of the French revolution in
its ephemeral existence know well what we
mean. They know that the theories of social
ism and equality, which were killed in France
in consequence Of their .extrayagance, were
put into practice by England, as far as they
we're practicable, The division Of property, the
increased facility in Che transmission oft, the
creation of q class Of small proprietors, work
ingmen's associations, mutual assistance In case
of oppression from the manufacturer, the open
ing of banks, and establishments for the special
benefit of the working classes, were mostly
due to the French republic and to the work Of
its reformers. This immediate result had en-
deared il to the English artisan, and bad ere
ated state Of public opinion against which the
English press did not deem it prudent TO con-
tend. Hence the general snathemas that salu-
ted the announcement Of the comp d etat. x
{ On the other hand, the "reminiscences Of the
empire, which had awakened the susceptibilities
of the absolute powers, could not fail to touch
to the quick hose Of England, AT that time
many threatening words were attributed,
wrongfnlly or rightfnIIy, we are not able 70 say,
to Louis Napoleon. Troops we're moving west
ward, and rumors were spread that the famous
camp Of Boulogne was going to be re-estab-
lished. This announcement was sufficiently
alarming TO England 70 cause her to give
orders for the organization Of moving militia,
and TO make preparations for the defence Of
her sea coasts. The credulity Of the English
people, on the renewal Of the projects Of Ma
poleon the Great, unfonnded or not vas SO
great as to make them fear for the apparition
OF a French feet in the ports Of Plymouth
and Inverness, or for the sudden landing Of the
Chasseurs de Vincennes on some remote and
hidden corner Of the United Kingdom. That
alarm, we must say, was increased by some
very exciting remarks made in parliament,
mainly in speech Of Lord Wellington, in
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