The New York herald., 1863-08-17
American Alliance with Russia Agaiass
France and England.

American Alliance with Russia Against
France and England.
It appears, by despatch from Washington,
that the United States Minister ct St. Pc
tersburg, Major General Cassius NJ. Clay,
has made brilliant discovery, by which
the Polish insurreotion is to be, in some
ingenious manner, intimately mixed up with
the rebellion at the South, and it is said
that Prince Gortschakon's recent change of
tone towards tho three Western Powers has
been caused by the comforting assurances
which the American Minister has given him in
regard to our readiness to back him up in a
quarrel with France and England. Accord
ing to the rumors afoat in Washington, and
which do not lack an air of great probability.
q sort of convention has been agreed upon be-
tween Clay and Gortschakoff, to the effect that
in the event of the Western Powers declaring
war against Russia the United States would
lose no time in declaring war against France
and England-against the former for its inva-
sion of Mexico, against the latter for its pratt
cal alliance with the Confederate States.
It is said that the Cabinet at Washington has
been thrown into terrible state of perplexity
by this action on the part Of its representative
at st. Petersburg, not knowing exactly what to
think of it. Mr.. Seward is by some supposed
to have had some share in bringing about thu
extraordinary diplomatic movement. But we
are inclined to doubt his connection with it.
Cassius NJ. Clay is very eccentric fellow, and,
although he possesses few Of the qualifications
usually deemed necessary for success in diplo-
macy, he may have stumbled upon capital
idea and one which can be turned to very
great advantagein our present circumstances.
Let us therefore take it, examine It, and see to
what it may lead
We assume that, so far as Russia Is con-
cerned, such a proposition could not fail to
meet with the highest favor. This is the second
time within the reign of the present Gear that
he has found England and France arrayed In
hostility to his empire, and an alliance that
will enable him to make front against these
hostile Powers cannot but be acceptable.
| France Is now, as she was in 1854, the head of
the European coalition formed against Russia.
England now, as then, is forced to follow In the
wake Of France, through we'll grounded fear
| Of her great rival and neighbor. To humiliate
them, instead Of submitting to humiliation from
them, Is the most natural desire Of the .Csar's
heart; and what more promising mode Of graft
flying II than by entering into treaty offensive
and defensive with the United Statess Such a
treaty would apply neither to the Polish struggle
against Russia nor 10 the rebel movement here
but would simply be an alliance between Russis
and the United States as against France and
England.
We, on our part, have no more cause TO en-
tertain friendly feelings towards these two
Powers than has Russia Each has taken q
mean advantage Of our difficulties to offer u
insult and injury. France, in contempt Of on,
well understood continental policy, has invaded
the neighboring States Of Mexico, seized upor
their capital, overthrewn the republican form
Of government, and deaantly established th,
monarchical principle In its stead. Such Al
insult she would not have darcdto offer to u
had not our whole military power bee
engaged in The crushing out OF rebellion
|, England while hvpacritirlllY protesting net