The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-11

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The Programme or the War In Europe.
One thing at least has been gained by the
failure of the allied arms at Sebastopol: it has
forced the Western governments to show their
hands. The British government has made no
sign SINK under the weight of aristocratic i'm
becility, Lord Palmerston and his colleague,
are content to follow the lead Of their ally.
But the Emperor has unfolded his programme
in the columns of the .Moniteur and in his
speech to the Lord Mayor OF London; if not
with as much real sincerity as is usual on this
side the Atlantic, at least with fair appearance
Of candor and manliness.
The first anomaly which strikes the reader
of these manifestoes is the contrast between
the attitude Of the Western Powers now, and
that which they presented one year ago. Then
was about to swallow Turkey, and if Western
Europe did not interfere, not only would
faithful ally be crushed under their eyes, but
they themselves would be the next prey of the
Muscovite. Duty as well as policy babe them
draw the sword. This was, as everybody re-
members. the ground taken by both France and
England during the period antecedent to and
coteDporaneous with the early scenes of the
war. The press of both countries was full of
it. Men were warned that Nicholas, like Ma
poleon l., aimed at universal empire; and an
honest Epglshman, John Bright, who did not
seem to think the balance of power worth fight
ing for, was asked in tones of thunder whether
he would wait to fight till the Russian masters Of
Constantinople were at Dover? Some surprise
was even expressed at the lukewarmness of the
United States. who. it was said, would soon feel
the consequences, if the balance of power were
destroyed and the Russ permitted to progress
in his schemes of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Now, it seems, all this is changed. It is no
longer for the balance of power that Napoleon
calls the British and French youth into the
field, but for civilization, aud the advancement
OF humanity. Russia is no longer an aggres-
sor; she is an obstacle to human progress.
Then it was Nicholas who attacked Europe and
needed driving back now, it appears, it is Ma
poleon and Victoria who desire to move on
wards and cannot from the obstacles thrown in
the way by Russia. Then universal empire
the empire of the Cossacks-was the bugbear
now it is Russian barbarism, which nothing but
civilized bayonets and mimic rifles can extir-
pate, that is said to lie at the bottom of the
quarrel.
The change is an odd one, though possibly
mere matter of names. Ten years hence we
shall know many dark secrets in relation
to this war not impossibly monarchical
and olgarchical conspiracies to divert mems
minds from real evils by conjuripg need
less ones: in the meantime it is to be
hoped that the allies will derive benefit from
their change of platform and of flag. Ia course
of time, as Austria's detection becomes more
apparent, and the King of Prussia gives free
reins to his family feelings, the Western mo-
Darchs may be forced to change them once
more, and to raise boldly the cap Of
liberty, and the banner of separate nationalties.
A year, nay, six months might render such
movement necessity. Until they do, the
struggle will be looked upon with indifference
on this side the water.
With something worse than Indifference
when the feeble pretexts of the allies are
brought to mind. What trash and stuff it is to
talk of Russian barbarism, and depict the Cars
and their subjects as little better than middle
age Goths-when the men who speak thus are
in arms to sustain the fallen throne of Abdul
Medjid! Between Alexander and Abdul there
can be no comparison in point of civilization,
enlightenment, love of progress. The Russian
court has been ever since Alexander I. at least
one of the most polished of Europe it was
thought great thing when Abdul took to
wear round hat and trousers, and those who
wish to know the sort Of men who surround
him will fnd enough in such works as SHADES
to prove that they are not only sunk in
barbaIism, but are irreclaimable. In point
of religion, Russia is, it is true, in the same
condition as Europe was during the crusades;
but the Greek Church is full of 0nts of
progress and improvement fact sufficiently
proved by the progress of the Bible Society at
st. Petersburg under Alexander l.; whereas
Islsmism is essentially and radically incapable
of further development or adaptation to modern
society. The same contrast appears in respect
of ply steal progress. Russia has railroads tele-
graphs, printing presses, schools; Turkey has
never known the two former until the war
broke out and the latter have been of no ser.
vice to her, good Mussulmen being incapable of
advancing hey ond the Koran and its doctrines.
In short, as between these two, there can be no
question but that Turkey is by far the better
representative of barbarism, and Russia of
civilization; and that the progress of the human
race would be far more surely advanced by the
absorption Of Turkey by Russia, than by its |
erection into bulwark against the Muscovite |
1t is not likely that the Western government.
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