The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-05-30
Napoleon, Defence Of the War.

The Moniteur contains tho second par
Of the promised official editorial on III,
war. This article has excited much in
terest, il being regarded in the light o
Napoleon's 3 defence Of his conduct.
The points which the explanation under
takes to discuss are:-What were tho gen
eral causes of tho warl What interes
had France and England 10 carry an ex
PedtIon so far from their own shores? A
what point do the different interests Of ihs
different States Of Europe touch upon ,hs
question OF European order7 How are
the four guarantees 10 be accepted OF
either side as basis for negotiation? |.
it just, is it useful to limit the power o
Russia in the Black Sea! Will the Wen
ma Conference ,resul, in peace or war
The object OF these inquiries is to en-
tighten public opinion, 80 that on tho eve
OF the decision for peace or war, now
about 10 be made, France may be ready
TO scceP. peace or war with equal conf
dence.
The article proceeds to discuss these
various points. The origin al cause Of the
dispute was a small religious claim Of the
Lain Christian Russia seized on the
prelext to acquire political power in the
East-the question ceased 10 be religious
and become political-ihe French Gov
eminent saw the danger-England {. frs
did not. but afterwards did. and tell in
with the views Of France, and as ell Eu.
rope was threatened by the sggrandisine
policy of Russia, snothing," Gays the
Mnnffp.sS ssvo la
just before God and universal conscience
than this resistance by France and Eng
land" Arriving at first at the theatre O
war, those two powers confidently await.
ed Austria and Prussia TO join them to re-
store the "equilibrium Of European order >
Austria and Prussia did, to an extent, iden
ufy themselves with the interests OF the
West. In the protocols signed at Vienna
they recognized the rights Of Turkey. and
rejected the advances Of the Car. Whs
they wanted was not courage, but conf
denoe. Napoleon endssvored to rs.as
sure them by declaring thst France die
not desire agRrandizement. Hesitation
continued in the councils Of the German
powers, and the war commenced. Final
ly Austria asked the Allies if they woult
still consent to treat on the bases Of th'
four guarantees. The Allies thong eht thel
had right to exact more. but TO gain Owe
Austria they consented, and the treaty o
Dec. ed, 1854, was made. But two thing
were possible as the result Of this treaty
either that the negotiations, therein pio
posed, would succeed or iail. II the!
succeeded, good terms were secured.
they failed; Austria's alliance became q
armsd and offensive enc. Thus, in eithe
case, it was well to negotiate ., Visnn
while continuing 10 fight in the Crimsa.
As 10 the proposed terms OF peace. the.
are just and equitable. (The articles her
goes into long and special pleading.
[, il absolutely necessary to curtail tn
Russian power in the Black Sea. All tb
power Of Europe will unite 10 restrain III
ambition OF Russia, but no one wishes
humiliate her. What 10 asked from hel
Europe has q right TO expect. II Oh
gran, it, the peace OF the world is assured
and the object OF the allied powers attain
ed. II she refuse, war will continue, an
! decide il.