The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-16
For the National Era
Sketch of the Political History of Europe,
THE CAPITULATI0N OF PARIS, IN 1914,
THE PRESENT TIME.
BY A FRIEND OF LIBERTY.

OtAFiEk All.
II Is UNREASONABLE that the French revolu-
ton of 1880 had greatly contributed to the
change of sentiments of the English people,
which brought on the downfall of the yelling
ton Ministry, and elevated the Wing party to
power. The friendship which was established
between the French and English, by the per-
sonal influence and inclination of Louis Phil
ippe, and by the public opinion in both coun-
tries, was very beneficial to the cause of liber-
ty throughout the whole of Western, Southern,
and even of part of Central Europe. The
Wigs, by nourishing the principles of freedom,
acquired many friends, both within England
and in foreign countries, and enjoyed almost
for ten years the confidence of the English ma.
ton. Hence, they were enabled, only with
very short Interruptions, to maintain in their
hands the reins of Government during that
period.
The Cabinets of Vienna, Berlin, and st.
Petersburgh, viewed with great alarm and in
dignation the progress of the Liberal cause, in
defiance of the established principles of the
Holy Alliance. These feelings, on the part of
these powerful Governments, would undoubt
edly have led to war against France and Bel
GUM, which had assumed the garb of truly
constitutional monarchies, and which thus
were considered as the main sources of all the
dbOmnable doctrines which were disseminated
throughout other parts of the European CONT
nent. But the cordial relations that existed
between France and England made the des-
potic Cabinets despairing of being able to ac-
quire the aid of the English Government, with
out which, it was deemed too hazardous to as
sail so formidable nation as that of France.
Still, the Emperor of Russia put his army in
such condition as would allow him to declare
war at any time against France; and he made
many attempts at inducing Prussia and Aus
tria to. join him in his intended crusade against
those people, who had dared to violate the doe
trines proclaimed by the members of the Holy
Alliance. But the cautions Metternch, the
timid King of Prussia, and even the most pru-
dent of Nicholas's own counsellors, and among
these Court Nesselrode, are said to have con-
jured him to desist from his purposes, and not
involve all Europe in war, the consequences
Of which no human being could with certainty
calculate. The naughty Gear remained, how
ever hesitatng. At last he paid an unexpect-
ed visit to Stockholm, in order, as it is general
ly supposed, to get the advice of Charles XIV,
Johan, who, no doubt, was the man most COM
petent to counsel him how to act ; and it would
appear that the sagacious and experienced
King of Sweden advised him to maintain
peace, because, after his return from Stock.
holm, he made it known to his allies, that he
had abandoned his plan of enforcing the prin.
ciples of the Holy Alliance at the point of his
sword.
But at last the Eastern Question: as the war
between the Sultan and his powerful vassal,
Mehemet Ali, then was styled, afforded to the
chief members of the political creed of Legiti-
macy the long -wished-for opportunity of SOW
ing the seed of discord between France and
England
Having gained the famous battle at Nezb
against the Turkish force, Ibrahim Pasha
would have marched his army to the BosphO-
rus, and perhaps found an easy entrance into
the capital of Turkey, had he not been prevent
ed from moving onward by the orders of his
father, Mehemet Ali, Who acted thus in accord
ance with the advice of the French Cabinet
that interceded not so much from the wish to
save the Sultan, as from apprehension that the
Emperor Nicholas, under the pretext Of assist
ing the latter, might make himself master of
Constantinople.
The French Government promised, however,
Mehemet Ali the possession of Syria. But Sui
tan Mahmoud, not willing to submit to this loss,
was induced, by the Austrian and Russian Am
bassadors, and principally by Lord Ponsonby,
the English Minister at Constantinople, and the
deadly enemy of the Pasha of Egypt, to throw
himself in the arms of the five great European
Powers, and ask for their Intervention between
him and his too powerful vasal. This propo-
sal was acceded to.
1t would indeed be ridiculous to suppose, in
the present state of the world, that the media
ting Powers would, from motives of justice and
honor, have been induced to act with the disin-
terestedness that became impartial arbitrators.
Therefore, when we find that some of the ablest
statesmen of Europe pursued, on this occasion,
a course altogether contrary to the true inter
ests of the countries over the affairs of which
they presided, we can feel sure that they were
actuated by some secret motives. 1t was I'M
doubleday the true interest of Austria and |
Prussia, that the Turkish Empire should be-
come as powerful as possible and it is altogeth
er improbable that a statesman so judicious as |
Metterpich should not have perceived that this
object might have been easiest obtained by en-
couragng Mehemet Ali to join under his sway
all the Turkish dominions. Yet the Cabinets
of Vienna and Berlin resolved to act in concert
with Russia, the interest of which in this affair
was altogether contrary to what was desirable
for Austria and Prussia. The cause of such
course must be sought for in the strict adhe-
renee to the principles of the Holy Alliance,
which imposes upon the Prussian and Austrian
statesmen the necessity of sacrificing the good
of their countries in order to assist the legiti-
mate ruler of Turkey against the attempt of his
vassal at dispossessing him of his throne. But,
they were also actuated by the hope,
in cooperation with Russia, to make this affair
the desired means of dissolving the alliance be-
tween France and England.
1t is very questionable whether Great Britain
had not even as much interest as France in IA
voring the plan of Mehemet Ali; and think
i might be satisfactorily demonstrated, that the
rue policy of the former country, as well as OF
Austria and Prussia, required the success of the
designs of the Pasha of Egypt. But when it
became evident that the two great German
Powers, contrary to sound policy, were co-ope-
ating with Russia, then the English Cabinet
ought to have felt the more anxious to main
ain the alliance with France, as the strongest
barrier against the Interior plans of the three
yreat despotic Governments.
Lord Palmerston was then Minister for the
Foreign Affairs of England, and none can rea-
Jonably doubt that he is one of the ablest diplo-
natists living. Still, the English Cabinet, in &C.
,ordance with his advice, committed the agre-
sious error to listen to the insinuations of those
o whose hands the Russian, Austrian, and
orussian Governments had confded the man.
.gement of this affair.
Lord Palmerston could not fail to perceive
he great importance of amicable relations
between France and England, and that the
,ause of constitutional freedom in Europe
chiefly depended upon the mutual friendship
# these two countries. Nor could he overlook
he benefits which must naturally arise to Eng