The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-09-21


The Present state OF the Russian War.
Recent extracts from Russian papers
indicate growing feeling of dissatis-
faction with the leaders of the military
operations in Bulgaria that appears to
be the first mutterings of political
storm, the violence and final results Of
which it Is difficult TO foresee Never in
the history Of Russia has popular discon-
tent been permitted to manifest itself so
plainly as TO threaten the powers that
be with such audacity. The sense of hui
initiation to which the great Slav power
is now exposed before all Europe ran
kles in the breast Of the nation, and Is so
keenly felt that, reckless of conse-
quences, it dares openly to express it.
self in terms Of bitterness and even of
defiance.
The contempt with which Turkey has
been spoken Of throughout Europe now
recoils fearfully on the originators Of
the favorite epithet which was coined to
express il quarter Of a century ago.
The reaction would be ludicrous were il
not for the fearful consequences which
it may involve. II the terms " Sick
MAN. and Colossus Of the North
would at least have been spared the rid
icule their vanity has been the means Of
heaping upon them; but blinded by a
traditional and religious luminosity to
the true strength and vitality Of the
power whose territory they coveted, and
pulled up with an inordinate estimate Of
their own magnitude and resources,
they have called upon Europe to witness
. discontinue without parallel in mod
ern times.
Much-despised Turkey has been the
means Of pricking the bubble which ever
since the Crimean war has been expand
ing in dimensions, until all Europe was
becoming alarmed. The bugbear which
paralyzed the policy Of Austria is set at
rest. 1t IL now put beyond doubt that
Austria would ut any time have been
more than match, single-handed,
against Russia. The German army, in
which strong desire has existed ever
since the Franco German war to measure
swords with Russia as foeman worthy
of their steel, now see that no glory Is
to be gained by victories over nation
whom the Turks can vanquish. The
French, who have fondly clnng To pos
sible alliance with Russia, as affording
the only hope of restoration TO their
former greatness and influence i'm
Europe, will perceive that they have
been trusting to broken reed; while
England can regard un<iismayed the
annexation Of petty Mussulman
States in Central Asia, secure in
the fact that the troops that have
failed in the Shipka Pass would never
be able to force their way, in the teeth
Of the armies Of India, through the Boz
Ian and Khyber. The illusion Of the
pan-slavic giant has been rudely dis
PEELED, and il Is now clear that il Eu-
rope il to be forced into the Napoleonic
alternative Of becoming either Cossack
or republican, 1t is the latter fate which
awaits her. 1t would be strange, in
deed, If the republicanism Of Europe
came from a Cossack source; and il the
national agitation to which the failure
Of the Russian armies in Bulgaria may
give rise, should be developed into a
revolutionary movement, spreading into
the other countries of the continent.
That an important political change Of
some sort is pending in Russia, there
can be little doubt; but this will in all
probability be inaugurated, as all i'm
portant political changes have ever been
in that singular country,by the removal,
either BY death or abdication, of its
present ruler, whose health and mind,
II Il reported, are both becoming seri-
ously affected by the failure Of his ar
mics.
Meantime we have rumors Of peace
negotiations to be initiated by the ncu-
trail powers between Russia and Turkey.
In these we have no confidence; what
ever the disposition Of the Russian Gov
eminent may be, the people would new
er consent 10 such terms as Turkey,
flushed with unexpected success, would
accept The war must be fought out to
the bitter end; but this may not be so
remote as appearances would indicate.
II Is true that the Turkish successes are
indecisive, that their movements are
slow, and their combinations still en-
compassed with great difficulties. On
the other hand, the Russian reinforce
ments, Of which we have heard so much,
are very long in making their appear
ance on the theater Of war; and, ac-
cording To the most accurate calculations
which have been made, thcy have now
not more than 200, 900 men In Bulgaria,