New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-19


years Europe has not been cursed with such
struggle; in the prominence aud significance OF lts
principal actors, as well as in the variety and i'm
mensity of their resources, all history can scarcely
produce parallel. But neither the political nor
the social state Of Europe has been shaken. The
sauandering Of these immense resources and the
sacrifice OF torrents Of blood have gained nothing
for the people Nothing of the kind was aimed at 10
the beginning and nothing of the kind could there
fore be obtained in the end. This vast drama has,
however, now passed into new phase which may
be protracted or may be short-ived, but which for
the present, at any rate, will create new centers
for the political relations and intercourse Of
European soveregns and their Governments.
Nevertheless, the war 30 far as It's results are
concerned, does not differ very much from the
great majority of European wars Now, as here
tofore, the losers and the winners come out with
new success, loss and experience; they divide be-
tween them both sweet and bitter fruits, Fesped in
blood and fame.
Throughout this exciting struggle we have en-
deayOred with all the means at our command TO
preserye for our judgment an Independent stand
stubborn, Interchangeable facts, and not from gratu-
itOus or wantOn speculatiOns. We nave followed
sometimes, even we have foretOld-eyents ~
they successfully appeared, both in the military
and the diplomatic arena. Before the readers Of
THE TRIBUNE we have depicted the facts az they
transpired, in their real and natural c0Orng, and
not as sympathy or prejudice would have shaped
Al L. nn1o I'd fo Iya
without bias or prejudice, the actors and the com
plca,ions, the movements of the armies and the
movements of the diplomats, and 70 give 70 each
Power its due, to each man his just need OF praise
or ccnsure. In the same spirit, now that the war
seems to be in its last stage, we shall attempt
a general summing up of its results.
Foremost among the Powers on the one side IS
France, absorbed by and embodied in her present
master, Louis Napoleon He is the leader, the
RECONCILIATION OF the Western Alliance He alone
plunged into this war with certain aim, fixed,
determined purpose. Before he finally betrayed
and overthrow the Republic he declared on every
public occasion that the Empire meant Peace.
This was uttered only to bambOOzle the Shopkeepers
and the capitalists, most sensitive and timd Of
creatures. He the bearer OF a name whose mean
ing is tyranny and carnage-he who by this echo
of departed glory caught the Imagination Of tho
French masses-he knew very we'll that to
preserve his prestige the baptism and blood
and the conservation Of military success were
absolute necessities. For him, then, war was
indispensable with one of the two Powers
that principally contributed 10 the over
throw Of bis uncle, he cared little which
Borodino or Waterloo must b. avenged, and the old
laurels replaced BY new. Louis Napoleon Is
shrcwd enough to understand that war must
always be more or less popular with a nation whose
instincts are essentially military nation fOrwhich
whether IS Gauls or as Frenchmen, fighting has for
long centuries been normal condition. Accord
ingly, he had no sooner seized the rens of power
than rumOrs beganto be spread that Eng the old
national enemy, vas to be attacked. John Bull, if
nOtabSOlutely frightened at this became uneasy, aud
with clumsy and hcsitating hypocrisy, patted the
sanguinary usurper on the back by way of depre-
eating his hostility. At the same time Russia,
Austria and Germany received but coldly the adj
vsnces of this peuured and lathless paryenu.
War, therefore, with England however popular it
might have been in France, became impossible for
the time being, since a descent upon the British
shores could not be Iisked without some security
against being attacked on the Rhine. In such
war England would evidently have had the prn-
opal European Powers on herside. Those Powers,
stimulated by English subsidies, would hayepOunced
upon France on the plea of public law, order and
legitimacy. TIE danger of such complication
was, however, obyiated by the advances of tho
English court, whose soft seductiOns and tender
attentions cosxed the dreaded foe TO pursue his end
by any other way.
Something, however, must be done by the new
Napoleon TO strengthen his hold on the sentiments,
if not on the prejudices, of the French people
Rome crept beneath the Imperial mantle, and
Louis Napoleon improved tie opportunity TO show
himself worthy of the Papal blessing and support
He eagerly seized upon the everlasting strife Of the
Christian sects about the Holy Places as a means
Of giving to the Roman clergy the satisfaction OF
precedence ii not supremacy there. Romish In
nuence should become superior in the East TO that
OF the Greek Church, which, until now, backed by
Russia has been supreme. The POrte-as is a.
ways the case where a weak Government has 10 deal
with powerful nations drawing il in contrary drec
| tions-dOdged between the opposing influences,
and in trying TO satisfy both was false 10 both.
Louis Napoleon obtained concessions which reused
the envy or the anger of Nicholas, who insisted on
his paramount right to protect the followers OF his
faith-a right which had been guaranteed to him
| bya number OF treaties. Meuchikoif was sent on
his famous mission. and soon the torch Of war was
lighted on the shores OF the Black Sea.