Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-06-01
IFrom the London Times, AyrI 81
The War Policy of Alexander and Nicholas
SContrasted,

! The War Policy of Alexander and Nicholas
! sContrasted,
-! The war which broke out between England anC
France after the peace of Amiens, though separated
from the preceding struggle by short interval
was in lis nature essentially a new war The end o
the former struggle was the counteraction of the Re
publican propaganda throughout Europe-the objec
of the second was resistance to the astonishing a
ents and boundess ambition of Napoleon In the
same way it would, as it seems to u.s. be mistake
10 suppose that the which are, since the ter
minaon of the Conference at Vienna called 10 wage
| against the Emperor of Russia is by any means the
same contest that the checkered fortunes of which
have during the last year raised alternately to the
highest hope and overwhelmed US in the deepest
depths of dependency. new Sovereign has as
cended the throne, and maXims of new and more
audacious policy seem to prevail. The Emperor
Nicholas commenced the war against Turkey by the
occupation of MoldaYia and Wallachia, under the
impression that it was impossible to effect union
between England and France, to concentrate upon
himself the energies of two Powers seldom hith-
erto ranged on the same side. Had the Gar thought
otherwise there is very good reason to believe that
MenSChlkOtf would never have been sent 10 C0nStan-
tnople; Gortschakof would never have crossed the
Pruth and should have been spared the slaughter
and the misery which will render the year 1854
orable in the annals of the human race Indeed, so
soon the Emperor had discovered his mistake, he
| showed unequivocal symptoms OF wish 10 relrace
his steps, and defer his enterprise against the Otto
man Empire 10 convenient moment. Strate
gical forced him to change his offensive for
defensive movements, and views OF State policy had
taught him the necessity of assuming at least the
semblance and outward show of moderation. The
Emperor Nicholas gave his assent to the Four Points
as demanded by the allies, with what mental reserv-
ations concealed Intentions We shall never know,
for the grave closed over him and them Just at the
moment when the opening of the Conference It Vi
emma about to put his sincerity to the test. He
died. that ambitious despot that Unsuitable aggressor,
and strange TO say, with him has died all hopes of
reasonable or moderate accommodatiOn-al chance
of peace which both sides may subscribe without
dIshonOr
His son and successor was said to be of a milder
temper than his father, less graspng, less ambitious
and addicted to the arts Of peace He has only
regned for six weeks, and in that short period how
ompletey have all such illusions been dspel!ed
He who inherited from his father pledge consent
to the dilninution of the power of Russia TO the Black
Sea, has solemnly announced to his people his lnen-
tlOn OF treadng III the footsteps ot Peter, OF Cathe
rine, and of Nicholas and invoked the cnrse OF iea-
ven his hand should it sign anything derd@-
ting in the slightest degree from the power and
predominance of Russia. We willing to ascrihe
this ouburs of arrogance and fanatcism to the diff
cuIties Of a reign, and the necessity Of counter
acting suspicious raised by the reputed moderation Of
the young Emperor's character We are now fatally
undeceved. The plenipotentiares of the Gar ut
Vienna though protesting to negotiate the basis
of the Four Points peremptOIily reject the PROPOSE
tion of making the EuXne neutral sea, and any
demand for the limitation of the naval force of Rus
sia within its waters.
Thus. then, Russia formally declares that she will
submit to limitation of that power which she has
been loEg collecting for the purpose of crushing
Turkey. and that, if do make peace, it can only
be the terms of leaving the victim she has marked
out for herself to her fate. Now, then, for the first
time, The mists of diplomacy are diSpelled, and we
see matters really as they are Our own positionl'
and that of antagonist, what he asks and what
we are expected to concede are all plain and clear
We no longer making war to prevent Russia
suming the protectorate of the Greek Christians in
Turkey, gaining preponderating influence in her
councils We are called upon 10 sign peace which
shall deliver up ancient ally bound hand and foot
10 the mercy of her OppreSsor and to stand
concerned locker on while the Empire Of Turkey,
shaken to its very centre ny the events of the last
twelve months, is finally overthrown by the very
hands from which we have sought to shel her
Are we prepared 10 accede to these humilialing
, terms Are we prepared, because we have appar-
emily been foied in our first enterprise, to surrender
the hard won honor of arms, the world wide
glory OF our name--to suffer Europe TO become the
ap0nage OF barbarOus dcspotism, reserving 10 our
selves the miserable comfort that remote position
and lnsular deehceS will secure that shall be de-
voured the last If these things would be intolera-
BILE to a second-rate State they can hardly be less
unacceptable to England and there seems, therefore,
other alternative but to address ourselves to war
and put forth in the quarrel the best and utmost Of
our strength. Nor there wanting many grounds
winch encourage us 10 hope that by patience perse
verence, and selfdenia, we may bring this struggle
like so many former ones, to successful issue. Our
enemy is cooped up within his own dreary dominiOns
the patient policy of an innocent blockade must wear
out his strength and destroy hIs finances, and the
enormous armaments which he is forced t. maintain
footing, must be still more fatal 10 th<ir
own country than to their enemies.
We have brave and faithful ally, already tested
in numberess dangers and trials whose powerful
cooperation will be with in the hour Of need
Every month that passes over our heads will tend to
riren our military resources, and rub OFT the accumu
lated rust of long and enervating peace. The pub
lie opinion of Europe is with us, and, if Courts and
Sovereigns vaciIae in their resolution, the people
whom they govern do not. Prussia may constitute
herself temple for the reception and GelfcatIon OF
the old clothes of the Emperor OF Russia Austria
may at the last moment shrink from community of
danger with those whose councils and opinions she
has hitherto shared Turkey shaken, paralyzed and
exhausted may leave the task of detending her
frontiers and avengng her wrongs IN toreIgn hands
hut, with or without these supports, united France
and England are strong enough III such quarrel to
fight the battle OF civilization, and restore Eastern
Europe "A freedom and Independence which Eastern
Europe dares not 10 st1ike for herself.
The great battle we have to fight is, after all, lot
abroad, but at home. Grant the victory our
own corrupOns, and we easily deal with the open
force of barharous enemy. But the two campaigns
| oug hit to begin together. While are pressing
Russia on the North and South we accomplish moth
ing, unless deal with equal vigor with intestine
mischiefs. That this county should he governed at
such a moment by Il league of few great families
that the administration OF our war department should
be abandoned to vaetudinaran that de-
partlnent should he worked principles soemny
condemned and unrelentngly adhered TO; that the
cantry should dIstrust the government that the gov
ernment should have confidence in itself, and rs
little in those it employs and that Parliament should
witness all these things and make effort to amend
them-ths is fatal 10 interests Than all the
II L.E sinrNnd nlinl hn.