The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-02-09
From COmstamtimOplc.
CoNsTANTINoPLE, Dec. /

This day, the 18Th OF the month, is the great
St. Nicholas day Of the Russians, as well as the
Greeks, and is kept by their church with great
solemni,y. And The Russians are in the habit
Of using their holidays TO accomplish acts OF hos.
tilies against the EDglish and French, fears had
been entertained that St. Nicholas day would
witness serious attack from the enemy. With.
in the last few days, these fears or hopes, as
many would call them, have been strengthened
by the report of deserters and prisoners. Conse.
quently greater wa!chfuIness and alerness have
been prescribed this day, and the whole army is
TO be called out at moments warning
| am fully assured that every bosom will be
beating with excitement on the eve of another
engagement. Revenge for lost comrades, daring
emulation of each others bravery, and determine
ton to conquer, will actuate ALL and will strike the
key note to victory. lnkermann is not yet for.
gotten, and if ever the Russians get as soundly
lhrashed as then, it will be to-day should the
enemy dare TO attack. "Sebastopol must fall" is
the countersign to which everything else must
tend Battle after battle may take place, but will
only hasten the event; and breaking down the
confidence Of the Russians, Sebastopol will prove
the easier victory in the end.
The present movements Of the Allies arc all
tending in most energetic manner 10 carry ou!
the one great object OF the campaign, and that is
the overthrow Of Sebaslopo and the total destruc.
tion Of the Russian feet. For that purpose, rein.
forcements are now fastening to the Crimea, aa
quickly possible, and an investment oithe beseg
ed city is, believe, TO take place from the north side
which will be made by the French with the assis.
tance of the Turks.
Omar Pacha, with his veteran troops, will com.
mence their campaign on the north side, and with
| $4,000 French troops, a sufficient army can be
formed there to cut off all communications Of the
garrison with friends outside. Such maneuvre
is now deemed necessary; for il is clear tba; as
long as egress and ingress be allowed the enemy
! In Sebastopol, nothing decisive can be done. Ii
has been seen that bombardment is of little avail
against place Of such strength as Sebastopol
and it is but waste of time and material TO continue
that alone. The city must be regularly besieged
and that not on one side, but on all sides-the
north as well the south. TO do that, the pre-
sent force is quite inadequate, aud must be in
creased. For this purpose, men going up
every day. As fast an English or French regi.
ment comes here, it is transported TO the Crimea
without further delay. Two days ago, the Royal
Albert, on board of which Sir Edmund Lyons
will hoist his flag, left this harbor with 2 $50 men
on board, French troops from Marseiles. Other
English vessels are arriving every day with
French hmen, who swarm our streets as il in a
second Paris.
And that brings me 10 another topic, which is
quite Interesting in its way. | refer 10 the fact
that ConssantinopIe is gradually changing hands,
and the rule OF the Matommedan is yielding to the
efTrontery OF the Frank. Everything tends TO
prove that the days OF lslamsm are over, and that
| the French will soon form Paris on the sides of
the Golden Horn. Not long ago, the French took
possession of the large and beautiful Russian
palace, one of the best edifices in Pera, and hher.
to held inviolate by the English. The French
for long time looked upon it with covetous eye,
but were not prepared to uso ii now, however,
they are numerous here, that additional room
is wanted for accommodation, and the pretexi was
found for seizing on the Russian palace. Again,
three or four days ago, several guard houses IN
Galata were occupied by French soldiers, and the
Turks turned out INTO the open streets, not daring
to open their lips in defence. The reason assigned
was, that as such a number OF outrages were com.
mltted by the French and English sailors in the
eghborhood, and the Turks were unable 10
preserve the peace, it was deemed necessary to
use more efficient authority, one with more force
to back il. .-.-s. r..-.. s-.ss ... .
And when we consider the matter in its most
serious light, and view the subject in al its bear
ings, we must confess that Constantinople would
be more pleasant residence, and greater mart
of commerce, if the French retained possession
Of it. A; present. as is we'll known, the streets
| are badly paved, narrow and cfooked they are
ROT named, nor are the houses numbered. True,
we find the Rue de Pera, the Rue de Grand, and
others, in W hich we will see this House numbered
20. and that one 50i but this arrangem ment is The
etfeet OF whru or caprice the res1t f he total