Washington sentinel., 1855-02-11

70 an unfortunate Misunderstanding on the
part of some Of the members. Hicas simplya
mistake"
EUROPE-NEWs BY THE ATLANTIC.
The news from Europe, brought by the
steamer Atlantic, is but repetition of the un-
certain and conflicting rumors which for over
fortnight have regularly fed the curiosity Of
the public without satisfying any Of its expec-
tations. The most striking peculiarity attached
70 these rumors, is the satisfaction they give to
men of all opinions and wishes. In the one
part for instance, We see that the weather in the
Crimea has been very cold, in another that it
has grown milder; that the French divisions,
tshe telegraph doeo not coy which oao,} hoo
gained the Flagstaff Battery, the stronghold Of
Sebastopol, and is ready to blow it up, whilst
the Russians seem to boast Of the advantages
they have gained in their sortie, and have re-
paired and re-occupied the Quarantine Fort.
The fact is that this news is no news at all, for
it does not affirm anything but relates only to
floating rumors. Much Of it seems to us en-.
tirely false-such for instance as that relating
to the Quarantine Fort which never was given
up BY the Russians. Had it been SO, the Allies
would not have failed to take possession Of it.
The resignation of Lord John Russell, and
the withdrawal Of the entire Cabinet, can be
construed in different ways. 1t may be either
peaceful or warlike. Warlike, if justice is done
to public opinion for the careless want of fore
sight, favoy1ism, and injustice with which
the war has been carried on-warlike, if the re-
tirement of the present ministry means salts
faction Of the wrongs Justly imputed to Lord
Russell and his colleagues retaliation of the
suferings and loss of the English army-a
punishment for the incapacity Of their old fogy
officers, Lord Raglan l. Co. Peaceful, if it
| signifies concession made to the offended
vanity of the Emperor Nicholas, a reparation
for the insulting language held by the organs
at the disposal ofthe ministry upon his person,
his army, his resources dc. Thus, still on this
point, there exists doube-headed version,
equally plausible to the facile commentators on
the question.
As to the telegraphic dispatches coming from
St. Petersburg, they have been commented on
with so much truth and wit by the Partisan
CHa,1rar', that we cannot help referring our
readers 10 the constructions placed upon them.
They give, in our estimation, full view Of the
confidence they deserve. They are SO much
the more worthy of confidence that the French
papers have always refrained from those exag.
gerated depreciating aud insulting remarks
with which the English papers have shown
themselves redundant. They have, at the same
time, observed towards the Gar great mode
ration of language, as well in their comments
on the resources of the Russian empire as on
the person Of the Gar, contenting themselves
with ridiculing his bombagtic ukdscs, and bis
system Of transforming before his people his
defeats into victory.
There are in the telegraphic dispatches other
puzzling items which need explanation. What
mean the great preparatives Of war made by
the Swedish government? What the negotia-
tons between Russia and Prussia respect.
mics organizing themselves with reference to
peace or war. Are they going to unite in an
harmonious ensemble, so as TO protect their
frontiers against any further move on the part
Of Russia, or do they act thus for the mere
pleasure Of expending money, disturbing men
in their occupation, and playing q soldiers
game? What do politicians think on the
matter?
Austria seems to have accepted her part in
earnestness, and wants to carry out the pro-
vision Of her contract as far as possible. The
last dispatch says that the yiennese cabinet
has demanded Of Gortschakoff the reason Of
the crossing Of the Danube by the Russian
army, and sent TO Count Coronim, commanding
the Austrian forces in the principalities, orders
TO prevent the Russians from recommending
the campaign on the Danube.
All Russian vessels met by the Allied feet
ON the Black Sea and the Sea OF Azoff have
been captured
Such is the inventory Of news brought by
the North Star; whether satisfactory or not TO
public sentiment, whether il changes or modfes
the situation Of the belligerents, is thing be.
yond the reach Of our mind. SO, in dispair OF
getting at any conclusion whatever, we leave
to the political astrologer Of the times to tell
what is the constellation hanging over our
head-and which Of March or Minerva is in
the ascendant.
col. A. II. GRAY.
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