, 1855-11-16
SebaStOpOl.

For the first time in the history of the
stupendous struggle now being carried on
in the Crimea, which for the last twelve
months has rivited the attention Of the
whole civilized world public opinion leans
10 the belief that SebOstopol will speedily
fall, and that the Russian flag which has
for so long n time proudly waved upon the
Notifications Of the Gibraltar Of the Black
Sea, will be trampled in the dust, We ap-
prehend that the historian, when he comes
TO write the details of this most rcmarka-
bic war, will not find much to dwell on in
support of the favorite theory OF the nine
teenth century-Progrcss ut least so far
as the arts of war are concerned. 1t has
been q war Of incapacities. The Allies
have wasted all their energies in the pur-
suit Of one object to the exclusion Of every
thing else-viz the capture of Sebastopol
the Russians have strained every nerve
to defend it. The immense armies of Oh
servation which the Car has concentrated
in the Crimea, have been, If we except one
or two comparatively unimportant battles,
silent spectators Of the struggle. 1t IS now
rumored in Europe, that tho siege Of Sc.
bastopol has been purposeIy prolonged, in
order to compel the Czar 10 concentrate n
large portion Of his vast armies in the
Crimea, aud then, by one tremendous blow,
crush forever the giant strength OF aspiring
Russia. They are obliged to resort 10 this
excuse In fact, the course pursued by
the Allies cannot be explained on any 9th
er hypothesis, if we would ncqu't them Of
the grossest ignorance and stupidity. The
fall of place, regularly ana SCIENTIFICALLY
invested, could DO calculated 10 times past
almost TO the day. When the French
drew their lines Of decentralization around
Antwerp, on the goth November, 1892,
the French General made calculation, on
scientific bases, that on the 24th of the iol-
lowing month Antwerp would be captured,
and the sequel proved his calculation to he
correct II the sole object Of the Allies
had been the reduction Of Sebas' opol, the
fortiications on the Isthmus of Perekop
should first have been attacked. Holding
them in their possession, thcclines Of cir
cumvalation should have been drawn
the parallels should be slowly but surely
advanced-and, cut of from all communl-
cation in the rear, the day upon which the
fall Of Sebastopol would take place could
be calculated with somewhat OF certainty.
If the object of the Allies has been to at-
tract into the Crimia the whole power of
Russia, they have very nearly succeeded
The Gar, in his anxiety to prevent the
capture of Sebastopol, has hurried the
bravest and the best Of his troops through
the SHOWS aud steppes Of Central Russia,
to the extreme southern shores of his vast
Empire. Russia is now for the first time
lighting at disadvantage. She has for
saken her native Businesses, and upon equal
ground contends for the victory with two
Of the most powerful nations of the world
The experience of Napoleon the Great
proved that on her own territory Russia
was invincible. We doubt not such will
still be the fact, even If Sebastopol should
fall and the Crimea be peaceabV occupied
by the Allies. No nation capable of such
sacrifices as the Russians have sheTn them
selves capable Of, can be finally coh9aered.
IS. +. Herald. tH.. irai l.1 ~