The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-24
AMERICANS AND THE EASTERN WAR.

AMERICANS AND THE EASTERN WAR.
1t seems that ON sober second thought the
other European Powers are not so eager to lose
in Russia a counterpoise to the Napoleonie and
Palmerstonian preponderance. IL is true, thai
Russia has interfered with the policy of sever
al States unnecessarily, unfairly, and often in
juriously for her own real interests. True, he1
weight was felt in some Cabinets, and often hel
behaviour was arrogant. But not less meddline
and arrogant was the course of England, and
always directed against the interests of various
countries. The independence of the smalle,
States, now seemingly headed by Prussia, would
be endangered by the preponderance of Eng
land and France, joined by Austria. The men
acing demonstrations against Naples in the sui
phur question, the Pacifco affair, the threats
against Tuscany, are still fresh in the memory
while Copenhagen is not forgotten. In some
new quarrel, even Austria may see the guns o.
English screw-vessels turned against Trieste
and Venice. To the smaller States, France anG
Austria are as menacing as Russia can possibly
be. The Hapsburgs are not less voracious thar
the Cars, as the history of five centuries
proves. If Russia has of late influenced Eu
rope for years, the French Marshals ruled anG
and robbed the Continent; and there are still
enough elements in the greedy gang of Bona
parte to open afresh the work of plumber"
The conduct of the Gar towards Hungary
excited the Indignation Of the American PEG
pie; the generous and courageous hospitality
of the Sultan to its patriOtexiles awakened
their admiration and respect for his character
and enlisted their good will in behalf of Tur
key. When Russia provoked quarrel with
that Power, for the purpose of destroying its
independence, usurping a protectorate over a
large class of its citizens, and facilitating its
own traditional policy of apprehension to
the Mediterranean, the American People were
unanimous in condemnation of its course, and
severely blamed the Cabinets of England and
France for delaying active interposition on be-
half of Turkey.
Up to that point, or rather to the declaration
of war by the Allies, public opinion in the
United States was strong and united against
the Gar.
But, what change has taken place within
twelve months The press of the Southern
States, so far as it expresses any opinion, is
arrsyed on the side of Russia Many of the
most influential newspapers at the North lean
the same way. American Adventures seek
employment in the Russian service. American
tourists are filled with admiration of Russian
power. American letter-writers abroad cram
the columns of our press with cunning apollo
giles for Russian aggression. 1t would seem as
if Russia had organized regular system of
agencies for so perverting the public opinion
of this country, as to make it the ally of its gi-
gantic scheme Of ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
This process of perversion began in the
South. Russian Serfdom and American Sla.
very are identical in principle. Russia has
never manifested any repugnance to the pecu-
liar institution" Of the slave States, but, in an
act of arbitration many years ago, recognised
its claims. The Anti-Slavery Idea has no foot
hold within its bounds; it has never done an
act or uttered word which could be construed
into an offence against the Slave Interest il
has no Colonies in our neighborhood in which
to try the system of free labor. England and
France, on the other hand, have rid themselves
of Serfdom at home, and Slavery in their Col
onies, and stand committed to the Anti-Slavery
Idea: nor have their Governments or People
been at pains to conceal their aversion to Sla-
very, as system repugnant to modern civiliza-
ton.
Hence, the Slave Interest regards Russia as
its natural ally, England and France, as its
natural enemies. 1t does not apprehend bel
ligerent action on their part, but the weight
of their moral position is all against it. Be.
sides, they have large interests in this hemis-
phere, which are essentially identified with
Free Labor. No one dreams that either would
adopt coercive measures to bring about eman-
cipation in Cuba, but whatever peaceful inhu-
ence can be exerted to promote that object,
will at once crafty popular opinion in both
countries, and subserve their colonial interests
nor is it to be supposed that they would suffer,
without something more than protest, any
violent attempt to perpetuate Slavery in Cuba.
by wrestling it from Spain, their ally.
These circumstances fully explain the hos
tlity of the Southern Press to the Cause of the
Allies, and its sympathy with Russia. Their
success would not be auspicious to the scheme Of
Slavery Propagandism, cherished in the South
their humiliation would favor it. Russian Des
potism and the Slave Interest, their common
enemies PROSTATE, might then march ON. par,
passu, dividing the world between them.
But the policy of the Slave Interest finds its
echo in the Federal Administration. In the
councils of this it infuses its own ideas of for.
eign policy. 1t demands Cuba, and the Ad.
ministration goes to the brink of war in pur.
suit Of it. Full employment for the Allies in
the East, and the success of Russia, will fur
Their this object; and directly throughout the
country the partisan supporters of the Admin
istration set to work to ALLEVIATE American sym
pathy from the Allies, by harping upon theil
selfshness, their hostility to- the popular cause
in Europe, the absurdity of their diplomacy
the imbecility of their war operations; and &c
inspire sympathy with Russia, by representing
her as acting on the defensive, by studiousl,
keeping out of sight her standing war on Lib
eral Ideas and Institutions, and by pointing te
her long standing friendship for this nation.
Now, no one who understands the wide
spread influence of the Slave Interest, how
controls the Press in the South, shapes tn,
policy of the Federal Power, and through it
patronage, and the associations of party an,
trade, mobiles the tone of large portion o
the press in the free States, will be at a los
to account for much of the change in reIatio,
to the Eastern War, wrought in the publ,
opinion of this country in single year.
These remarks, although suggested by tn
extract we make from the Nec York Ty;b,ut
are not intended for that paper. Its positio,