Washington sentinel., 1855-01-05
MEpIATIoN liz EURoPEAN AFFAIRs


MEDIATION In EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.
This subject, which has for some time past
been engaging the attention of our legislators,
and exciting the interest of the country was
again revived on Wednesday last, by the Hon.
Mr.. Clingman, of North Carolina, one of the
Committee of Foreign Affairs, to which was
committed the resolution concerning it. We
are happy to see that Judge Bayly, the able
chairman Of the committee, was decided in his
opposition to the measure, asserting in speech
Of some length that the subject had already
been under discussion, and on the whole it was
thought to be inadvisable to interfere.
For ourselves, we see no use in entangling
the country in the perplexed affairs of Europe,
even though acting in the mild character of q
mediator. 1t is quarrel with which we have
nothing to do, and which must be settled by
the contending parties alone. The experience
of the world has established the fact that there
is but one final mediator between nation and
nation That is war--a remedy, violent it is
true, and much to be regretted, but still often
inevitable in its inception and beneficial in its
results. The character Of the causes which
lead to such catastrophe, is in ITSELF Of neces.
sity, such as to repel any milder means of me-
diation. The evils entailed upon country by
state Of war, the injury to her commerce, the
increase Of her debt, the paralyzed condition
of her internal enterprise, the sacrifice of life,
all these are SO much to be deplored and avoid
ed, that it is only as last resort that nation
wisely governed will consent to submit to such
an. arbitrament. There are always PROPOSE
tons Of peaceful character, remonstrances,
and ultimate proclaimed by the offended gov
vernment before it consents to hazard in defense
of its integrity the uncertain chances of war.
Then, indeed, but only then, can other govern.
ments properly interpose their mediation. But
when all the worst passions of man are arous-
ed by strife, when the spirit Of chivalrous emu
lation, or the darker passion of revenge, are
engendered by hostilities; when the honor, the
power, and the dignity Of nations hang on
the success Of their arms, then there is but lit
tie disposition on the part of the combatants
10 listen to the voice Of the charmer, charm
he never SO wisely"
Such is, in an eminent degree, the character
of the present European war. Even the most
casual reader cannot fail to be struck with the
many efforts which have been made to prevent
it Diplomacy itself was exhausted, in the
vain effort to prevent calamity which was
inevitable, and whose horrors all could easily
foresee. Warnings and remonstrances, procla-
nations and propositions, discussions in Par
lament, and alliances Of the most anomalous
character, the genius and energy Of the ablest
diplomatists of Europe, were all in vain. The
allies on the one hand, and Russia on the other,
have entered the contest after fruitless en-
deavor to reconcile existing difficulties, and
fully alive to the consequences which would
flow from such contest. With their eyes
fully open, and after exhausting all other
means, they have committed their cause to
the final arbitrament Of war. The plead
ings are over, the issue is fully made up,
between the assertion and maintenance OF
long established and acknowledged power on
the part Of Russia, and the defense of the bal
the part of the allies. 1t no new vexed ques-
tion which has thus arisen TO disturb the tran
guillity Of continent. No one familiar with
the history Of modern Europe, especially since
the establishment of the mammoth power OF
Russia, can fail to see that the cause Of the
present war; is but the final developement Of a
question which has threatened Europe for years.
The sagacity of Napoleon enabled him to fore
see, with almost prophetic vision, the very result
which has occurred-and yet it was no super.
natural prescience on the part Of that wonder
ful man, but a calm investigation and Thorough
knowledge Of then existing causes which ena-
bled him TO arrive at such a conclusion.
This, then, is the condition Of affairs in Es-
rope. And where, we would ask, is the ground
upon which mediation can stand? What is left
for it TO accomplish What new proposition Of
peace has America to offer, which has not
already been sounded in the ears Of attentive
Europe2 Shall we take the ultimatum Of
Austria ms fair proposition, and demand Of
Russia surrender Of the very principle which
urged her to the contest, as the only terms of
reconciliation And can it be supposed that
at the suggestion Of power, separated by
an ocean from the scene, and almost ignorant
of the causes Of the war, Russia will yield
principles and alleged rights, in defence Of
which she has already sacrificed so much
wealth, so much peace, and SO much human
]ife2
On the other hand, the difficulty would be
jua as great in suggesting plan Of media
ton to the allies The London Times, which,
as is well known, speaks from authority, and
reflects other sentiments and views than those
Of its editor, has already stated that the allies
can listen to no voice Of peace until Sebasto.
pol has fallen that only then can there be
any permanent settlement Of the principles
for which they have engaged in the war; and
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