The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-03-06
RUSSIAN VIEWS OF TIE PEACE QUESTION.
yindicaton Of the Motives Of the Emperor
Nicholas in Entering on the Present War;
VIDdIeatI Of the Motives Of his Successor In
Concluding Peace.
THE sClAvONIC COMPARED WITH OTHER RACES.
de-, &C., &C.
THE DECISION TAKEN BY RUSSIA.

lfrtm the Russian organ lie Nod, Of BRUSSELS Feb 2
since reply of the Russian government TO the pro
positions transmitted TO il by the Austrian Cabinet have
been made known the whole Of the European press has
been enabled pronounce Us opinions upon the act the
importance and necessity OF which the FIRST
acknowledge. But before examining this matter more
particularly were desirou of forming an opinion Of
The impression which it likely TO produce in Europe
as well in Russia For this purpose have carefully
collected ali the opinions which have been published
sardiDg it.
The general in preston created by Russian accept
sDce profound and is highly favorable to the character
Of The young sovereign Who approaching the evils which
the wax brought upon his country and mankind has
had the noble courage yield 10 the feeling OF the whole
OF Europe which mpeled by fatal complications to
tall him. and 70 prove him. that it from HIM alone
that il expected peace.
In this manner the answer of the Empsro Alexander
IL was viewed by Austria Prussia, Germany and France
IN wore by countries where public spirit knows ho~
b elevate itself high enough understand and honor
such resc intons. England if 70 take her press
her exponent has alone expressed different opinion,
but all Europe has promptly gave this opinion, we
have not to occupy ourselves with it.
We 10 ourselves, however tie prisiege OF ex
aiming another time the and m tives which
forty years urged Great Britain &c selfish policy
Numerically opposed 20 the interests OF the world To-
day merely purpose TO examine he concessions OF the
CsblEeL 81 ST. feIeHsouS ano, especially, lhe lPo'ah
Influences they ciae, mo- only from exclusive
ly European, but ALTO AID chiefly from exclusively
Russian point q vieT.
Amongst all the Inherent impressions which prevail in
Europe Russia, thai which represents ner rs
entirely destitute OF public opinion is not tae least er
roneous This assertion Was, perhaps, 10 certaia d.
gree forty years ago. But since the war OF
1873 ard above all Gu Jog tbs reign CT the Emperor Mich
olas public opn ion has made in Russia imm snse pro
gress and who eraoled 10 follow It's deveope
certainly recognise that Russia is to-day one
Of the countries Europe this public spirit the
more in, ense the lass il finds easy medium Of expres
The efore it not astonishing that the Russian
government IA pre- cedDg which, in former times, hss
seen attributed 70 merit) has lost sight Of
pabi. opinion, and took more account OF IL
than is s5aolute forms would have led others to
suppose. In fact, The confederation which it ac
cords TO public opinion, from time to time, hes
the secret OF that force and Independence OF action
Of whsh that government hiss never given greater
proof TO Europe tnan at present. II was enable only
20 give this proof and to yield TO public opinion tn-
rope because it had yielded In the beginning or the war
~ that OF its owa county.
By legitimate paturs but perhaps tardy concession
70 the natural sentiment OF Russia her government rem
deed The actual possible; by not less legumats
and necessary concession 10 tho public sennGent Of
Europe it renders it heuceforward impossible The re-
SUIT is inevitable. The great oil the government OF
nation like Russia nsiss IN knowing how TO satisfy BY
aurns and time, exigences OF It's country ana
those OF other nations Abandoned themselves these
exgeE ces at last encounter and oppose 90 h other
ConLinualy compressed, they later Violently
bresk iorih or poear leaving the patton they
have just animated without force aud without tu-
nnept they lcse by the sstissc which is given
them whatever hey might have OF exciusisensss ana
eonound themselves In the mass Of mnon and great
interests.
Far from having ins,inc contrary to the repo;e OF
Europe Russa-that Russia which IS but little known
and that other Russia which is assumed TO be
contains in herself Than pledge Of failure
vhoesor influence on the CIVILIZED world By partica-
arly happy circumstances only due TO her geograpni
cal position national elements her real inte
res,s, material well Intellectual end social,
where in direct opposition 10 those of the other nations
OF tbe continent This true 20 the degree that it
would be difficult 70 indicate any point: place
where really Russian interest would be opposed
those Of Europe.
The natural consequence that tie political affairs Of
the continent even when tho Russian nation by
former engagements Of her government, and by her
character OF he great Powers has been induced to
take part them, have never exercised such
influence her 10 become 10 her national CUES
tions Such is rot in the Eastern policy How
the conflict 70 Russia does not originate
m her merely material and personal interests but
national sentiment. sentiment, which purpose
anAlyze because it useful 10 do may have is
good and it's evil side but nevertheless tina. OF
compact nation OF fifty millions Of individuals. Ger
tainly i. is ia /. has been Pretended seni
ment of fsnahci for 1t springs frcn emnenty fsnet-
and cisnteested sources, TO which could even
give the name ii cosmopolitan, commoa 10 all nations
Of Scavopc origin and which tends to an aim OF great
anc futuriy Of the political regeneration and
ehgious liberty Of the East.
The Russian-that IL say the o. the people, who
IL to-day the benefcent and y source to which me
richest boyars look for inspiration, at the
Dcurnful appeal Of bis coregfonst whom he calls his
lot under the Tartars-leaves his fields and home, and
crces even his fortune hasten to deliver him and
he questionaoly would act in the same way towards
ANY Christian whether ne might be German a French
Epglishmsu. This service once rendered
he wcnld retusn 10 his held without asking for the least
pecupisy territorial ret button and without think
ing taxing any advantage OF him wnom he has succored
This and dsinterested sentiment which IN Ger
many France ard Er glard has bee acknowledged % all
those who have written the Scsvonc races attrbu
ted in Russia to the religious convictions of the nstoo
II be asserted that this idea is grouudea f'r
II question Inc RUSSIAN peasant 81 W the REASON
whish determines him TO defend warmly the cause OF
those who being not Russians profess the religion
be viii yen CHAT the duty " CHRISTIANS to help
each other mutually"
But noe than this take leave observe that this
precept the with all Chrisendonl, and II it has
sway the Russian ton, IL - because tais
nation possesses Qualities and elements which give This
cIvzipg germ greater Development than H. mas else
where done. l. would be easy for US 20 write volume
nm This onestion ene IN particular 70 prove that this
only consequence OF tie character OF the Say pic
people, but slso thai Of tie absence o. feuaal pc
pies, in their pas. bstory-priDcipes eminently
religious persecution end of all the evils OF the middle
ages the result, of which 70 absorb he purely Chris
iap element The political element In tnis manner We
shall prove that the real vital sentiment by which the
whole Russian nation i. 20 the degree. animated Is
mo.s reaieus sncipiss and endsne, inch ia Rass.
by particularly happy coincidence, ~ We nave demon
srsted in resesrchs the social sud s,nomicsl
institutions Of rhe Russian people, blend wi the prilci
PIES Of authority and sovereignty.
This sentiment, repeat may also have its evil aide;
but history the philosophy CT which it Is sometimes nse-
full 10 recall teaches that in this respect the detects
OF nations os,en them q by which
they enabled 70 perform The part Providence
has assigned 70 them. Is IL not Wy her mper-
fectiops that ID 70 say, by her versatile genus,
by her ondress Of novelty and change that the French
nation became the moving force Of Europe, and perform
ed, in times az her expense and amidst bril-.
liant but terrible shocks the part which, anti uy
was played by Greece? And not England lind pre-.
cisey, in her greatest national deiect-egos ismthe
ausiity which enables her to contribute ia turn her
share 10 the work Of civilization and material progres
Does also German phlegm apd pride Of knowledge
eectusly aid the progress OF science and human ine
And the aTdOr the eOthDAaau1. The
poeteal artstical passion Of Italy, in the eres fsm
~ of nations this dstr button Of iherent chaac
ters and parts, which like many conducting
wires oy which Providence leads the world to the
great and inscrutabe ends which re hss IN view
The Russian nation has also reserved It's mis-
zion and we have just bad proof toat
eaotsr and indivdusign contrary 70 her spirit OF