The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-01-21
War IN the East.


in the East, or rather in the center of the
old continent Of Asia, among those States
which we of The western world Gncluding
modern Europe) are wont to remember
and think of as mythical nations of an
tiquity, to be read of in the old histories
OF the Greeks, and only to be visited by
curious travellers. intent on the disinter-
ment of those quaint vestiges of once
powerful and highly civilized race, which
serve TO fill ponderous tones, so eagerly
sought after by those who delight in using
cold bones to knock down live flesh" as
some satirist quantity describes the anti
quaran tribe.
The long buried Persians, who we're far
advanced in luxury and civilization when
A Athens and Sparta had just entered upon
their heroic age, have recently risen from
their graves of three thousand years,
thrown off their cercments, and asserted
their reality and existence as nation and
people in manner which shows that they
have forgotten the severe lessons they re-
ceived so many years ago on the plains of
Marathon and at Platea. They are agai
arrayed against powerful warrior tribe,
which has emerged from barbarism long
since they turned the zenith of their pow
er and greatness; tribe which, in its am
bition and its career, has followed closely
the track of the Macedonian who once
swept like tornado over the old nations
of Asia.
I
Step by step has the andacious Briton
stretched his arms into the bowels OF Asia,
swallowing State after State, buying up
this monarch, coerciug and debauching
that, until his empire has expanded into
territory upon which, it may be said, rs
was vaunted of old Rome, the sun never
sets.
A few months ago the King of FIVE mil
lions ofpeople, living nearly in the center
of Asia, was dethroned by an edict of the
East India Company, on the ground that
he did not regard with sufficient care the
rights of>his subjects and of his kingdom
Thenceforward this people become British
subjects. Meantime Russia Justly alarm
ed at these strides of British power toward
its own eastern boundaries-has taken
steps to establish a counter influence, and
arrest British ambition in its remorseless
expansion. Near by the Affghanistan
States where British intrigue and wealth
have been most zealously employed in fur
therance of her agrandizing policy, lies the
old kingdom of Persia.
Here Russia has established her inf1u-.
ence on the most permanent basis, and
has enjoyed peculiar favor and kindness,
having purchased from Persia various
sections of territory and valuable towns,
that were important to the defence of her
Eastern borders. This policy has placed
Russia in position which would enable
her to threaten the English Possessions in
India, and, in case of war, to pour into
that region body of troops far greater
than any Britain would ever be able to
assemble there. And yet this great peril
does not alarm John Bull. He has rush
ed very recklessly into war with Persia,
on account of some pretended alliance,
offensive and defensive, with drunken
Afghastan Chief who has drawn upon
himself the vengeance of Persia, This
latter State has good army, officered by
l European commanders, and abundant
means, and shows a bold front to the men,
acing British. General Outram has Ia
ken up the march from Bombay for the
scene of difficulty. Meantime Russia is
advancing powerful force toward the
Persian line. This vast and popular EN-
pire will here enjoy great advantage over
her recent foe on field where her power
was greatly circumscribed. If she backs
Persia, there will be stirring times in the
neighborhood of Herat, and the disgrace
of Sebastopol may yet be wiped out on the
, shores of the Caspian. Enquirer.