The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-21


time 10 time articles from journals il the Rus
sian interest, rejoicing over the prospect Of dis
solution of the alliance; and we see that various
writer's in the London and Paris journals impute
the like joy to the Russians travelling on the
Continent This may be very premature. or
course, with country like France, in an abnor-
NAL financial condition, and under an abnormal
with any sense of accuracy. Bankruptcy or re-
volution might at any moment Overset the best
laid calculations But if the Emperor lives and
has his reason, and if the Credit Hobilier and
other unsound institutions can be slOughed Oft
and got rid of without ruin to public and phi
vate finances, there really se4D but little
reason why the French and English should fell
to fighting again. Especially if the Emperor,
learning wisdom from experience, should decide
to remove the restrictions which now burthen the
trade of France, should diminish the tonnage
dues, and reduce the customs duties to q mere re-
venue rate, would the alliance acquire remark
able strength Were the trade between France
and England which has augmented prodigieus:y
within the past tour or five years-t0 acquire tine
same proportions as that between the United
States and Great Britain, it would not only be
impossible for the Emperor of Russia to dissolve
the alliance to suit his own ambitious views but
even the Emperor of the French would find 81 h
an understanding beyond his powers.
There is another point on which, judging from
the reported conversations of eminent Russians
and the tone OF such journals as La Nord, the
Russian government appears to labor under mis-
conception. Russians seem to imagine that they
have only to blde their time, and then halloo
across the water to the United States-and tina.
we shall jump at a prospect Of an alliance with
Russia against England and France, or at least
against England. This is very bold theory.
While the late war lasted, there were persons il
this country who sympathised with Russia. Some
from inherent dislike of England, the feeling
being Of the same kind as that which prompts
brothers to fight and quarrel Some from feeling
that the Western Powers were really hindering
the work Of civilization by driving Russia from
Constantinople, while they pretended to be fight
ing the battle Of civilization against barbarism.
Some from personal experience Of British hau-
teur and incivility, Of Russian courtesy. Some
from fear that if Crest Britain overcame Rus
sia, che would presently modest the United States
And good many-these the nOisiest- from con-
nection with a class Of ex-British subjects whose
hatred Of England is their usual political stock
in trade. From these reasons, the question being
an open one, great many persons living in this
country, and looking at the conflict froma en-
contemplative distance, desired to see Russia the
victor in the war. But to infer from this fact
that the United States are ready to join Russia
in any future war with England, is not warrant
able. In the first place. if census Of opinions
were taken throughout the United States, no
doubt more friends OF England would be found
than enemies. And secondly, the sympathy ex-
pressed for Russia by her friends was a very ceol
calm business: entered into because the question
was known TO be purely speculative. Ii it ever
became real living question, these philo-Rus-
slams would think twice before they took sides.
Our interests are naturally wound up with the
nations which buy from Us, sell to us, trade with
us: which think as we do, read the same books,
enjoy the same luxuries, Judge by the same
standards; and whatever little chickering's there
may be between us 1t is great mistake to sup
pose that we are going to quarrel with friends
like England and France, TO oblige a semi
Oriental despot like the Gar of whom we know
next to nothing, and for whom we care less.
The pso.m. Nh orsc,,,uI. TEA A.ft,