The New York herald., 1867-04-07

ding influence on the hardy and vigorous
children Of more northern latitudes.
That which chiefly concerns Us for the
present, however, is the fact that Russia has
set her heart on the city Of Constantine, and
that 1t win not be easy to prevent her realizing
her purpose. In the meantime, though her
purpose is artfully enough concealed, 1t is not
the less skilfally prosecuted. Her sympathies
are naturally with the Christian subjects Of the
Porte. She desires their autonomy. Her in
6uence, which 10 felt throughout the length
and breadth Of Turkey In Europe Is one Of
the principal causes Of the dsaffection which
prevails, and not the least potent Of the many
incentives to open insurrection. Russia does
not now fght-she intrigues for the object Of
her ambition. Nor is she intriguing without
success. 1t Is by no means improbable that
autonomy will be granted by the Sultan to his
Christian subjects; and no one Is 50 fully
alive to the mct as Russia herself that the
moment such autonomy is granted the entire
Christian population of Turkey in Europe
will virtually come under her protectorate.
And what Power on earth could prevent such
q RESULT In such case these Christians must
needs lean upon some one. They would not
lean upon Greece; for Greece Is too weak to
protect them. They would not lean upon
Austria; for Austria is of different creed.
The only Power which is at once . neighbor
and q corelgionist, and which has both the
willingness and the ability to help them, is
Russia. And can any one refuse to admit that
the recognition in any sense of Russian pro-
tectorate, no matter how nominal it might be,
would hasten the final triumph of Russian
ambition.
Let us suppose, however, that while Russia
is still pushing her schemes, and before her
object is fully realized, she finds herself COM
ing into collision with one or more Of the other
European Powers-what, in such case, would
be her chances of successf The chances we
unhesitatingly answer, would be largely in her
favor. Russia, it may at once be taken for
granted, will never get to Constantinople with
the consent of the Western Powers. Austria
will protest; France will protest; England will
protest; Italy may or may not protest. Will
they do more? Will they form another triple
or quadruple alliance and repeat the folly Of
the Crimean war; We may be sure they will
not Napoleon, certainly, will not tamely
submit But what alliance will he be able to
formi Italy, it is to be noticed, at present is
warmly in favor Of the Greeks. As matters
now stand Italy is not, therefore, to be counted
on in any supposed anti-Russian movement.
Spain and Portugal may we'll be left aside.
Sweden and Denmark, Belgium and Holland,
would simply look on Prussia, whatever
she might do, would not certainly be found
on the side Of France. The neutrality Of
Austria on the one hand might be secured
by the neutrality Of Prussia on the other.
Fearful for her great Indian empire, and
concerned for the safety Of her numerous
colonies, England would be little likely to
do more than assume watchfal attitude,
pledging herself only to draw the sword
in the event Of her right Of way
through Egypt being disturbed. Suppos-
ing, however, that collision seemed i'm
minent between France and Russia, and
that the weight Of England was likely to be
flung into the scale against Russia, the entente
cordiae between Russia and the United States
still continuing, the key to the position, the
real balance Of power, might be found in the
hands of the government Of the latter Power.
SO long as Canada sustains the character Of Q
British province, it is in the power of the
United States seriously to distract the attention
of England, and by that very means to inter-
fere with that authority in the political arrange
ments Of Europe.
Looking at all the facts and probabilities Of
the case, we see no reason to doubt that at no
distant day the armies of Alexander Of Russia
will enter the city Of Constantine, and that the
revival of the Greek empire, so long an object
Of Russian ambition, will be an accomplished
fact We cannot, however, close our eyes to
another truth-that the moment Russian au-
thority is transferred from st. Petersburg to
Constantinople the summit Of Russian great
ness will have been reached, and that her pro-
gress thenceforward will be the progress Of
decay. In marching southwark she will leave
the sources of her strength and her greatness
behind.
President Johnson and tho Mississippi In.