The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-06
SCANDINAVIAN AFFAIRS.
Editor Of the National Era:

10 the Editor Of the National Era:
1t seems now very probable that France and
England can hardly compel Russia to submit
10 peace upon admissible conditions, except by
the aid of the Scandinavian Kingdoms. But
II is evident that this desirable object cannot
be obtained by the means of such insulting
srticles as those which have lately appeared in
the London Examiner and which seem to have
been dictated by folly, the offspring of ignorance
aud arrogance.
The Scandinavians may, comparatively speak
ing, be called poor. Still, / venture to assert,
that there exists among them more general
happiness and contentment than among the
majority of the English people; and let it be
remembered that no foreign conqueror ever
lorded over Scandinavia, while, on the con-
trary, England has often been forced to obey
the dictates of victorious foreign cheftains If
the Examiner had remembered these historical
truths, it would probably have used more
becoming language.
The Scandinavians, therefore, having hither-
to been able to defend their independence,
without the aid of foreign Powers, might rea-
.,sonably hope to do the same for the future, by
She help of God, and by their brave valor alone.
Consequently, they are certainly not to be in
Inundated by any prospective dread of Prussia
into an alliance with the Western Powers nor
Is it to be presumed that any amount of money
could purchase their cooperation with France
and England, unless feeling convinced of the
equity, and even imperative duty, of assisting
them in humbling the pride and weakening
the power of the wouldbe arbiter of Europe.
But their innate hatred of despotism and their
strong sense of equity make the Scandinavians
generally feel very hostile against Russia, on
sccount of its unwarrantable attack upon Tur-
key, its treatment of the gallant Poles, and its
arrogant and domineering aspirations. Still
it would be rash to assert that the Norwegians
and Danes are inclined for an alliance with the
Western Powers; but though the majority of
them might prefer the continuance of the pres
emit state of neutrality, it may safely be pre-
sumed that both these nations will readily fol-
low the course which Sweden might choose to
pursue.
AS to the Swedes, have no hesitation in
affirming that they have not forgotten, and nerer
%Sill forget, until duly avenged, the many wrongs
which the House of Romanof has, by stealth
and treachery, inflicted upon them. Conse-
quently, that warlike people is painting for the
opportunity of meeting the Russians in fair
tight, and restoring liberty to Finland-dear to
them by 30 many glorious memories and so
many affectionate connections-which became
subject to the Gar, in consequence of the trea-
son of the Governor of Sweaborg, 1.-THE Count
Cronstadt, and of the inability of Gustavus w,
Adolphus, and of the pusillanimity of Charles
ALL; but not on account of any want of pa
triotism or prowess, on the part of that little
valiant army, that so long and so gloriously de-
Tended every inch of Finland against the nu-
merous host of the Emperor Alexander, who,
In violation of every principle of honor and
equity, had unawares seized upon the brightest
jewel in the crown of near relative, with
whom he had shortly before been in the closest
alliance, and who had done nothing that could
Justify his hostility. Indeed, the invasion of
Finland was a still more uni ustifable act than
even the infamous division of Poland.
1t would therefore be contrary to human ma
ture, if the Swedes, without due amends, should
forgive so fragrant breach of public morality,
and so mean an act and as no kind of repa-
ration has as yet been offered by the Russian
Car, he cannot and does not expect but the
Swedes, whenever they shall get fair oppor-
tunity, will make an attempt at chastising him,
by retaking what duly belongs to them In
fact, there exists no peace, but only hollow
truce, between Russia and Sweden. To admit
anything else, would be to concede that a thief
can, by prescription, become the lawful pos
SCISSOR of property which he has stolen.
In intrusting to General Canrobert the mis-
sion to Sweden, the Emperor of France showed
his usual sagacity, because no other person
would have been so well qualified as that illus
trious warrior to elicit an expression of the
popular feeling in Sweden. IF there was, be-
fore the arrival of General Canrobert, any doubt
on the mind of King Oscar, as to the course
which the Swedes wished him to pursue at the
present moment, that doubt must certainly have
been removed by the reception which the nation
awarded to the French "ambassador extraordi-
nary" in whom the Swedes admired the hero
who had won immortal glory in fighting their
hereditary enemies. In his presence, they gave
way to the impulse of their feelings, and mani.
tested most clearly their ardent wishes for an
active participation in a war conducted for no
mean purposes, but for the praiseworthy object
of indicating the cause of justice, and hum
bling and weakening Power that has for more |
than century been animated with the criminal
aspiration to reduce free nations to abiect sla-
very.
1t cannot be reasonably expected that King
Oscar shall share in the hatred which the Swe- |
dish nation feel against Russia. He does not,
except by adoption, belong to that illustrious
native family, who, inheriting the spirit of the
Great Vasa, shed so much lustre on Sweden,
by their victories over the despots of Austria
and Russia, and none of whom, except per-
haps the last one, would have remained so long
an inactive spectator of the struggle in the Bal.
tic, between the hostile forces of Russia and the
Western Powers.
But though King Oscar cannot be supposed
to share in the hostile sentiments of the Swedish
nation against Russia and the House of Roma