Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-01

European Neus--.S e6ast. pol Iractical Effects
FIaanciaiiy aud Commercially ofMe Vas
We lose By H-Domesiic 1Bairs--- Orr No
ye,nter fstcrsioas Bunup,'s Autobiography
City Mortalty-The Opera-WaH Street
Socks, dc.
NEW YORK, Oct. 80, 1854.
The Pacific brings us nothing from the seat
Of war but incidental rumors, reports, details
and speculations, concerning events of which
we were already informed, or events yet to
come. Sebastopol is invested-hard fighting
is expected-the place will undoubtedly be car
|'ried; but from what has already occurred, it is
very likely that the spoils Of the allies will be
astonishingly small to what they are expecting
Reduced to the last extremity, the Russians,
we rather suspect, will sink or burn every yes
sci they have in the harbor, and throw into the
bay as much of the artillery and munitions of
the forts as possible, and blow up their maya
zines of powder, and then make good their re-
treat, if they can. Menschikoff is cunning
old dog, and the last resort of retreat has
doubtless arranged his plans so as to cut his
way out into the open country. And ifhe gets
out, the allies will have winters campaign
before them in hunting him down, for Cor
schakof and Luders were preparing to rein
force him.
For the pressing exigencies of the invest
ment of Sebastopol, the available forces of the
allies including reinforcements in the army,
are estimated at 10000 men; as the aggregate
strength OF the Russians, including their rein
forcements en- route from the northern land
gate of the Crmea, is said also to be fully up to
$4,000 men. But their artillery, their musketry,
their tactics and their soldiers are not equal
to those of the French and English, though in
stubborn bravery and cool passive discipline
the Russians have no superior.
Consols had fallen at London and Paris to
"a a SO, all the result of the uncertainties of
the investment Of Sebastopol. 1t must fall
they say; but there it is not known at what
cost of time, soldiers, and money; and it is
also extremely doubtful whether it will cause
the Gear to bulge an inch in favor Of peace.
1t is feared that it will only make him more
obstinate, and possibly with the freezing of
Sir Charles Napier out of the Baltic, old
Nicholas may take it into his head to send
Paskiewitsch southwark at the head of zoo, 900
men to reconquer the line of the Danube, and
to expel his enemies from the Crimea Stormy
and inhospitable as are the regions around the
Black sea in winter, the Cossacks, and even
the regular Russian troops would find the
climate there in November and December
quite agreeable compared with those ATTITUDES
through which they wasted away in his fearful
retreat, the swarming legions of Napoleon the
Great.
With the fall of Sebastopol, however, it is
expected that Austria, and even Prussia, will
be induced to take each decided ground with
the allies against Russia, as will compel the
strong-willed Nicholas to succomb and beg
pardon, and promise to be better boy for the
] future. In this light, all the hopes of Europe
for peace, are now depending upon Sebastopol
and the money markets of London and Paris,
and the cotton and breadstuffs at Liverpool,
are awaiting the issue of the investment of
naval station to the Black Sea Of which the
civilized world scarcely knew the name a year
ago. The operations of Wall street, and the
mighty chain of financial and commercial
movements of these United States have also
their fluctuations according to the news from
Grim Tartary, as sensbly as the weather.vane
is affected by the changes Of the wind. What
remarkable fact is this, of the unity of mod.
ern civilization. Here we have the business of
the civilized world depending for better or for
worse, upon the bombardment of small seaport
on the confines Of Asia, and within the limits
of the far-of halfcivilized barbarians of the
steppes Of Tartary.
1t is singular fact, also, that our anticipa-
tons of the Atlantic carrying trade on account
of the war have failed. The advantages we
looked for have fallen through. Our ship-yards
have not, for many years, been doing more
ruinous business. This may be largely due to
the high price Of timber, provisions, and labor;
but these prices are, to great extent, due TO
this European war. In word, we are losing
in money, time, and progress, by this war, and
we should be among the first and the largest of
gamers in speedy treaty of peace. Turkey
in any event, will have only the choice between
the fryingpan and the fire; and as for the In
terests of the people Of Europe, they appear to
be entirely ignored. Bound, hand and foot,
they have only the poor privilege left them Of
paying the expenses. And so, on our account,
we are in favor Of a reasonable and seasonable
peace with Russia; that secured, something
may possibly "turn up" in Germany, or France,
or England, in the way of wholesome revo-
luton. The Russian war, as far as the people
Of any country are concerned, is adelusion and
mockery, and is only tightening the taxa.
tons and expressions of all parties engaged in
it.
Turning to domestic affairs, the engrossing
subject here is, our approaching November
election. Parties and principles are so mex.