The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-24
WASHINGTON, d. c..
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.
SCANDINAVIAN NATIONS VIEWS ABROAD
OF AMERICAN POLITICS.
NORWAY, EUROPE, Dec. 2, 1855.


who, as Ambassador Extraordinary of the
Emperor Of France, lately visited Sweden,
must be interpreted, not only as a tribute of
admiration to the valiant warrior himself, but
a an evidence of the desire of the Swedish
people, generally, for union with the Western
Powers.
The French Emperor, with characteristic
sagaciiy, concluded, that whatever might be the
secret inclinations of King Oscar, he would,
nevertheless, find it impossible for any length
of tirae to resist the national will. Conse-
quently. in order to assure himself of what
might ultimately be expected from Sweden,
Napoleon has resolved to send the conqueror
Of lnkermann to that country, as the person
best qualified To elicit a manifestation Of the
popular feeling. The object which the French
Emperor had IN view being successfully OBJ
tanned, there was, for the present, no necessity
of asking for the Swedish alliance; and hence
you may be sure that all rumors with regard
to success or failure in this respect are alto
gether without any foundation at all.
But the French Emperor and Lord Palmer
ston cannot but feel an inward JOY, because
they know that it requires scarcely more than
a word, and, as the London Times expresses
itself, 1000 formidable scandinavian warriors
will invade Finland.
There can he no doubt but that King Oscar
would be glad to find any means by which to
avoid participating in the war against Russia
but the fear of confirming the suspicious,
which for some time have become general In
Sweden that there exists a secret understand
ing between the family of Bernadotte and the I'm
perial House of Russia, imposes upon him the
stern necessity of Kidding himself of charge
which must be so very unpleasant to his feel
ings Oscar is most excellent man, and an
able civil administrator; but he seems To be
wanting in the martial spirit which distinguish
ed the great IaSds, and which the warlike
Swedes are so fond OF admiring in their rulers
But his sons, and especially the Crown Prince,
are said 10 have much inclination for uniting
with the Western Powers, against the hered
tary enemy Of Sweden.
The Swedish nation-wth the exception
Of n very small number, belonging chiefly to
the arstocratical and commercial classes-en-
terrain unquestionably, the wish of seeing the
forces of Sweden united with those of France
and England, in order to retake Finland, which
Russia obtained by means of treachery, and
not in virtue OF honorable deeds Of arms
N,
also the insidious Court Of Austria, and the
false hearted King of Prussia, evince the
greatest CONSERVATION at the reception with
which the Swedes honored General Canrobert;
and at the great probability, or rather certain
ty, that Sweden, in case of the continuance Of
the war, will next spring enter into ali
ance, offensive and defensive, with the West
srn Powers. Hence, Austria is now attempt
ing reviving the negotiations for peace; but we
may rest assured that Russia does not yet feel
herself SO much humbled as to submit to the
rigorous conditions which her victorious enc
mics must necessarily require Of her. Still
apprehensive Of war with Sweden, the Court
of st. Petersburgh has dispatched to Stock
holm an Admiral, in the humble capacity OF
an attache to the Russian mission, but with
the evident mission of countcracting the effects
of the visit of General Canrobert; but it is 10
be hoped that this attempt will prove futile
AS to the feelings Of the Norwepians and
the Danes IL must be confessed that they are
not generally what might Justly have been ex
pected. Still, both these nations-except a
few aristocrats among the latter-are very hos
tile to Russia, and wish to see it defeated and
humbled; but they have no desire to participate
in the war themselves, being more anxious to
profit, in a commercial way, by the present
neutrality; besides which, the Norwegians
with some honorable exceptions, appear rather
envous of the chance which Sweden might get
of regaining Finland, and thus increasing her
power, while the Danes are apprehensive OF
Prussia interfering, seemingly in behalf OF
Russia, but with the real object OF wrestling the
Duchies of Ilolstein and Sleswig from Denmark
II Is, however, certain that neither Of these
peoPis Will attempt TO offer any objections to
JON Sweden, wheneve- the latter country shall
unite with the Western Powers against Russia
Consequently, the Emperor of France and
Lord Palmerston must nor feel quite confident
that, whenever they choose, they have it in
their power to conclude with the Scandinavian
countries An alliance which will make possible
an invasion Of Finland, and an advance upon
st. Petersbnrgh itself; and feel warranted in
asserting, that unless Russia submits ere the
close OF the next month of March, such an ALI
ance will in reality be closed.
As 10 the difficulties between the United
States of America and Denmark, they attract
comparatively little attention, az IL is generally
taken Tor granted that they will he settled in an
amlcaoie way before the expiration of the pres
ent treaty between the two countries While
IT must be admitted that the rirht claimed by
Denmark is, to say the lesst, very questionable,
1t cannot be denied that it has so often been
sanctioned by treaties, to give that country
good reason for insisting upon its validity; and
1t could scarcely be called equitable, were the
United States, during present circumstances,
10 make an appeal to arms, which, perhaps, in
It's ultimate consequences, would lead to heavi-
er losses than the paying of the Sound dues.
even Tor century, would amount 10. Rnt we
may rest assured that the Administration of
Mr.. Pierce Is not IN reality so pugnscious as it
might appear.
The victories which the Know No,hines have
lately gained have attracted much attention on
this side of the Atlantic, and induced many
welwishers of the Great Republic to aupre
hend the very worst consequences with regard
TO the ultimate fate Of its freedom But while
1t is evident, as the National Era has main
tanned, that that mischievous and wicked party
was not so impotent as many had been inclined
10 view il, it seems, however certain that the
Republicans were defeated in New York solel,
in consequence of their mixing up the Slavery
question with that of Maine LAVISH.
As to the Presidential question, the mair
struggle will no doubt he fought between tn.
Slave Power aud the Republicans, and it i
very probable that the former will acquire tn.
aid OF the great batch Of the Know Nothnps
because, should the latter be so bold a. I,
maintain their separate organization. and nom
mate their own candidate, their defeat ia Ger
tain. The sympathy OF the friends of Freedom
is with the Republicans; still, must frank,
confess that the support which they have re
ceived from the New York Tri6nne-the ad
vocate of Russian despotism, or, at least of it,
oppressive laws and aggrandizement-make.
many Europeans look upon the Republican
party with some suspicion.
1t must, indeed. be admitted that the Low,
which the Tribune entertains for Freedom is o
very questionable kind, because, while fight
ing in behalf of the liberty of the negroes. j
makes vain attempts at iniuring France an,