From the Examiner, 20 May.
CONDITIONS OF PEACE.

the continent up to the revolution of 1830, and has kept him the master of Germany ever since. He became a necessity.

THE Czar Alexander was the founder and mainstay of the Holy Alliance. He was also The Holy Alliance advanced the scheme the great gainer by it. That institution was which Peter the Great devised for his succesa contract between the Bourbons, Hapsburghs, sors in the Czarship more effectively than even Hohenzollerns, and Romanoffs, to assist each his testament indicated. That was, that his other with troops against the apprehended successors should bend their unceasing efforts efforts of their respective subjects to obtain to foment constant divisions between the great any mitigation of the bad government which powers of the continent, and then, as occasions it was the purpose of each to establish and offered, shouid league themselves first with one carry on in his own dominions. It was a mu- for extinguishing and absorbing a second, then tual assurance of one another against what with another to extinguish and absorb a third, they called revolution. The institution worked and by this process should finally throw the with apparent success for some time. Every- whole weight of Germany, Turkey, and Ruswhere was established a system of government sia upon France and overwhelm it. But the for the profit of the ruling few, and the inter- Czar Alexander, keeping this policy in the ests and feelings of the many were every-back-ground for the moment, inveigled the where set at nonght. The Neapolitan and German Powers and France into establishing, Spanish attempts at amelioration were succes-each in its own territory, a division between sively put down; the most distinguished Italians themselves and their own subjects, which renwere exiled, despoiled of their property, im-dered them quite powerless to oppose his fuprisoned, tortured, and put to death; and the ture proceedings. We see, by Pozzo di Borgo's Czar's success against Turkey in 1829 appeared to afford the opportunity for correcting the only mistake which the leaders in the Congress of 1815 imagined they had made, in permitting a government having a constitutional form to be established in France. Consequently, in 1830, Charles the Tenth proceeded to rectify this inconsistency. But he was overthrown so very suddenly, and at such a late period of the year, that the Czar's intervention before the spring was an impossibility. We learn, however, from the papers seized at Warsaw, that on the 10th of August, 1830, the day on which he received the news from Paris, he gave orders for everything to be got ready for a march southward in spring-but England recognizing the new order of things in France without a moment's hesitation, and this encouraging the Poles to strike for their independence in the ensuing September, the Holy Alliance failed at this critical moment in yielding the fruits expected from it.

extraordinary letter of the 28th November, 1828, that Charles the Tenth supported the Czar's attack on Turkey in the conviction that its success would enable him to overthrow the French Chambers, and re-establish the ancient régime; that Austria was so paralyzed by her system in Italy, Hungary, etc., that with all her vast army she would not dare active opposition; and that, therefore, the "malice" (that is the word used) of M. de Metternich might safely be despised. In short, the inaccessibility of the Russian system to overthrow-for the frequent strangling of a Czar leaves the system itself untouched, perhaps strengthens it-and the danger of internal overthrow to all the other systems, made the Czar, in his position of a member of the Holy Alliance, the arbiter, indeed the lord of the other sovereigns. “Remember," said Histiæus, of Miletus, to the Ionian Princes assembled to decide upon the proposal of Miltiades to break down the bridge over the Danube, and, by consigning Darius and his whole army to destruction, to ensure the independence of Ionia and Greece; "re

our positions as Princes in our respective territories, against the universal aversion of our subjects, by the power of Persia, and that in overthrowing that we shall overthrow ourselves.' The relative positions of the Czar and the Continental Princes under the Holy Alliance is precisely similar to this.

The advantage which the Czar reaped from the institution of this alliance was altogether different in kind from that obtained by his co-member that we are only enabled to maintain partners in it. Its military guarantee was of the utmost value to the Hapsburghs, Hohenzollerns, and Bourbons, because their systems of government were not founded on the interests or feelings of their subjects, but involved the constant violation of them; while the Russian system is adapted to the national character and wants of the Russians, who, barbarous and oriental, neither desire nor have any idea of change in it. Thus, while the Czar's guarantee to the other members of the alliance was of great value to them, theirs was of no value whatever to him, from his not being in a condition to need it. This circumstance made him the real political master of

We have thus indicated the political effects of the Congress of Vienna and the Holy Alliance, in order to obtain a clearer view of what our object should be in the present war. We are spending blood and treasure to purchase peace and security for the future. Peace may now very easily be obtained, that is nominally. For the Czar counted on establishing division

between France and England; and had either formed of the power of Russia, nor would the England at first, or Louis Napoleon after- delusion ever have arisen but for the circumwards, listened to his insidious proposals, he stance to which we have just pointed attenwould certainly be now at Constantinople. But tion, and of which it was not an unnatural he still further miscalculated in believing a result. For the mass in every country saw French and English alliance unattainable. their rulers admitting by subserviency and Doubly disappointed, his reaching Constanti-flattery their own relative weakness, and looknople is now hopeless; and his remaining in ing to Russia with hope and fear, as if she the Principalities, with a hostile fleet and army were absolutely strong. This arose from their capable of operating on his rear, impossible. He is becoming sensible of all this, and must wish to abridge the spectacle of his humiliating impotence in the Baltic. He will do in the beginning, and at once, what he sees he must do in the end, and will lose no time in offering terms. This is what we have always expected when once we should begin in earnest to test the over-estimated power of Russia.

being universally at variance with their subjects, and thus sensible of their domestic weakness, while the Czar alone, governing in harmony with the feelings of the barbarians over whom he rules, was strong at home. The elements of her real strength for aggressive purposes might have been inferred by reflecting on her miserable difficulties in 1828 and 1829 against Turkey; by her positive defeats It is also what we dread. Being convinced in 1831 by the Poles, whom she only conquerthat the reduction of the power of Russia is ed by the actual military interference of the an indispensable condition of the development Prussian army on the left bank of the Vistuof European civilization and happiness, we la; and by what she is now laboring in vain to do dread any cessation of war that shall leave against the Turks. If the war continues a very her with the means of influencing either Ger- few months more, the nullity of Russian powmany or France. She stands now before the er and the reality of its weakness will be fully bar of civilization the triumphant perpetrator established; and the Czar, disappointed in the of acts which must be reversed, before the division between France and England on which Germans, the French, and the English can he counted, finding Austria inclining against find any moral anchorage for a stable peace in him, seeing himself deprived of these artificial Europe. The successful extinction of one supports, and reduced to his own intrinsic regreat member of the European body, and the sources, will hasten by offering concessions to successful mutilation of another, are deeds that prevent that exposure of his real weakness will forever prevent any settlement of Euro- now so near at hand. The plausible ground pean affairs until they are annulled. Peace on which he will place himself is already inuntil lately was only the child of exhaustion,dicated, and unfortunate predilections for a now it is becoming the moral want of human- quasi-return to the "Settlement" of 1815 will ity; but we can never possess that feeling of favor his attempt, and tend to defraud civiliconfidence which is a pre-requisite for its zation and humanity of the prospects opening attainment, as long as we witness that brutal before them. But nothing now can be a and treacherous triumph of might over right" settlement" of Europe which is not bottomed which the present condition of Poland and on concession to the acknowledged wants and Finland offers to the bewildered belief in interests of mankind in the various territories Divine justice. There may be English states-in which Europe is divided. The partitioning men disposed eagerly to snap at the Czar's out Europe among a score of regal families, offers, and there may be a cessation of war for and adjusting the shares allotted to each, never the moment; but in the present stage of the could, and never can be a settlement; and European mind nothing can be permanent but were it not the misfortune of mankind to conwhat is just, and a cessation of war before found ability with wisdom, they would have justice is satisfied will only lead to a continu- derided the arrangements of Vienna in the al and miserable struggle, which must termi- beginning, notwithstanding the men who comnate a few years hence either in the triumph bined their powers to produce them. Howof Russian barbarism and the retrogradation ever able, they were anything but wise or longof civilization throughout Europe, or in a re-sighted.

newal of that war which we have now begun, While we write we see news alleged to be and which we shall have been unwise enough authentic, and which affords a remarkable fact not to bring to such a close as justice and pol-in confirmation of the view we take of the icy alike dictated. This it is fully in our pow- Holy Alliance. Austria has suddenly relaxed er (we speak of France and England con- her tryanny in Hungary and elsewhere. If junctively) now to compass. this be confirmed, we shall take for granted

This, therefore, ought to be our object. No that she means to take part with the allies at peace until Russia, reduced to her natural last. Deciding to oppose the Czar, she loses limits, shall be left without the power of influ- his external guarantee, and feels immediately encing European affairs. We have shown and instinctively that she can provide a subhow erroneous is the estimate which has been 'stitute in good government alone.

consent, but was not even to risk it by independent policy or isolated acts to which Prussia had not consented.

From The Examiner, 27 May. THE LOCUS PENITENTIÆ FOR RUSSIA, WHATEVER may be the effect of the Austro- The inference inevitable from such a treaty Prussian Treaty of the 20th April, the terms is, that neither Austria nor Prussia has the of which are now made public, we do not least idea of going to war with Russia. They think there can be any doubt of its intention, both indeed complain of, they both condemn or of the object with which the new Protocol, the occupation of the Danubian Principalities, signed last Tuesday at Vienna, has been and they both point with still greater dislike framed to bring within the scope of one and to any further advance of Russian troops bethe same instrument this Treaty of the Ger-yond the Danube. But that Austria and man Powers and the Treaty of England and Prussia would have committed themselves to France.

even this declaration, if they had not first The gratifying spectacle is again exhibited been perfectly certain that Russia did not to Europe, by these makers of Vienna Proto- wish to advance beyond the Danube, no one cols, of so-called "accord" between the Four will believe. Had Austria and Prussia signed Powers in regard to the Eastern quarrel. such a treaty, and made known its contents, France and England, at war with Russia, are six or eight months ago, Turkey and the Westhus to tell the world that though they have tern Powers might have been obliged to them. thought the resort to war necessary, they are But their affected adherence now is too obvistill on the best possible terms with Prussia ously a trick to help Russia out of her scrape. and Austria who don't think it necessary at It is an attempt to paralyze the efforts of all. Austria and Prussia, at Peace with ev- France and England to bring the quarrel to so erybody, are by this means to make their decisive a conclusion that it shall never be able friendly offices available between Russia and to break forth again.

the powers at war with Russia, on terms and In a word, however apparently directed conditions which they hope to render agreea-against Russia, however pleasantly foisted into ble to all parties. a French and English Protocol, this treaty is

nowise either to permit or take other guarantees against them. Let General Canrobert and Lord Raglan drive Paskiewitsch behind the Pruth, and thenceforward Austria and Prussia, no longer the negative antagonists of Russia, become its active allies.

What is the first thing manifest in this Trea- really pointed against France and England. ty of Berlin, for which it is understood that It tells them plainly that the aim of the Gerthe diplomatic people have been active, and man Powers is solely and exclusively to get the armies inactive, for so long a time? Does the Russians out of the Principalities, and in it suggest any nearer approximation to an honest alliance with England and France? Is it, as we were led to believe, a compact only for such mutual protection as might leave liberty of action to each? No such thing. What is most prominent and manifest upon the face of it is, that we have no longer anything to hope from Austria to set off against the pusillanimity of Prussia. It is an utter explosion of the hopes entertained in that direction.

This, then, is what we have to guard against. The danger now is that the war should terminate, after the fashion of the diplomacy that preceded it, in a fiasco. Such a result would We are surprised that any other construc-recoil upon the Governments of the West in a tion should be drawn from it. Its express way to shake their strength and credit far more tenor is that what Prussia does, Austria will than any loss of fleets or battles. do; that, whatever their differences in opinion They have now, however, timely warning. may be, there is at least to be no difference in The Berlin treaty puts an end to all the fine act; that one is not to think of making war hopes that were built upon the Emperor of without the other. Each country guarantees Austria's sudden levies of 95,000 men. То to the other its German and non-German do- the command of those levies, it will be rememminions. The Polish, Rhenish, and Italian bered, it was made matter of much marvel provinces, are to be secure under this treaty. that Schlick and another general, both noted Any attack upon one is to be resented by the for their attachment to Russia, should have other party. Such is the agreement. Ofbeen named. Of course, as things turn out course nobody dreams that Austria can go to they were the exact generals to take such a war with Russia, or in any way provoke hos-command. In precisely the same spirit of the tilities from the Czar, without exposing some Prussian war minister was lately dismissed. of her provinces to invasion; and in that case The whole thing is a mock defiance. Under Prussia stipulates to march to her help. But Prussia would make no such stipulation if it was not fully understood that Austria was not only not to rush into war without Prussian

pretence of a hostile summons to force the Czar from the Principalities, it is a friendly artifice to help him out of them. Even in arming, these German Powers have no pur

1

pose but to deceive. They have done nothing, from first to last, that has not been a sham and a pretence.

and England understand their pusillanimity and dishonesty. Greatly should we regret if any assent has already been given to Austria's But surely all confidence in them must come proposal to occupy Montenegro and a portion to an end, now that their position is clearly of either Bosnia or Albania. We might just defined. They have come forward at last, as well allow the King of Prussia to garrison but it is only to succor Russia in her distress, Athens and hold it for the interests of his imit is only to pretend to impose upon her a for-perial brother-in-law, the Czar. A well-timed bearance which they very well know it to be official statement has just issued from Servia, now her policy and her necessity to adopt of fully exhibiting the duplicity of Austria, and her own accord. Let us hope that they may expressing a fixed resolve to resist any occuat last, also, be made to feel how fully France pation by the troops of that power.

From the Examiner, 27 May. clever or stupid. The function of the Czar PEACE AT WHAT PRICE. is merely to marshal and guide that general propensity of the Tartar race to armed emigration which Peter points out as having, at previous epochs, achieved such great results in human affairs, though aiming at no definite object. Peter defines what that object should be for the future, and points out the means his successors should take for compassing it.

THE Times informed us the other day that a single mistaken resolution of Sir Robert Peal's on railroads had cost the country at least a hundred millions, and what is worse, that it has left the thing still to be done which he shrunk from doing. We do not think this an exaggerated view of the true state of the case. We, however, blame the public far more than Sir Robert; and our posterity will blame us rather than any minister, if such overtures for the conclusion of the war should be accepted as it appears not improbable may be now proposed.

If this were a war on our part and that of France for aggrandizement, or for necessary defence of our respective commercial or territorial interests, we should say, abandon the former, and as soon as the latter are secured, let the sword be sheathed. But such is not

No peace that this or any other Czar can or will make, can or will involve a voluntary abandonment of this system. But France and England can now wrest out of their hands the power to follow it up for the future in the manner they have for the past. The question for the French and English public therefore is, "Shall we wrest this power from their hands now that we have them at an immense disadvantage, or shall we leave them enough of it to enable them in a few years to renew the struggle with us?"

the character of this war. This is a war Such, at this moment, is the question on against the Russian system-a system pro- which the French and English, now so happounded and developed in the testament of pily united, have to decide; and if it is, as we Peter the Great, and which the Czars his entirely believe, the great governing point, successors have, as he exhorted them, regu- there can be no doubt that the only possible larly and without any deviation carried into security for future peace lies in their deprivaction ever since. As he proposes, they have ing the Czars of the power to prosecute this leagued with Austria and Prussia, and ab- system for the future. Even the Prime Minsorbed Poland; they have connected them- ister, we imagine, would agree to this, but selves by so many alliances with the petty then he would doubt whether it is the point-. German princes as to become almost their he would take a different view of the reality liege lords; they have sown divisions every- or the tendency of this Russian system. Here where between the European Powers, great he stands on similar ground to that which and small, and by the invention of the Holy Sir Robert Peel occupied when he took his Alliance have established and widened divis- disastrous resolution on the railroad question. ions between princes and their subjects every- Sir Robert stood on the threshold of a fuwhere, until Austria and Prussia have become ture, and did not beleive it would realize itlittle more than their vassals; they have muti- self into that present which we now deplore. lated Sweden; and they have done all this Lord Aberdeen stands similarly on the threshand more, not as they happened individually old of a future, and acts as if he believed no to be men of great ability, as Napoleon, or repression to be needed in order to render it Cromwell, or Frederick, but as agents of a less dangerous than the past. He may be system which, founded as it is on the nature right, but if he is wrong-how awfully moof society in Asiatic and European Russia, mentous will be the consequences to England, imperiously constrains them successively to to France, to Europe, to civilization, to manuniform action, whether they happen to be kind, should he accept peace unaccompanied

by that security for its continuance which the destruction of the power of Russia to do future harm can alone afford.

object will this be a means or a step? We know not, but we are entitled to know, and we want to learn.

We therefore hold that the paramount in- We hope the country will insist on knowterests of the country require this point to be ing, and at once. It is understood that the cleared up at once. The nation is entitled to session will certainly not extend beyond the have the means without further delay of judg- latter end of next month. The Houses ought ing upon it. Our future prosperity depends not to separate until we ascertain in a precise upon a right decision in regard to it, in a and definite manner whether or not it is meant higher degree than in regard to any other that we should accept a peace that shall leave which has occurred in our time. If our min- Russia the power to pursue the course she isters are of opinion that there is no future has taken systematically for the last hundred danger to England and to Europe from a years. If the ministry is prepared to accept peace that shall leave Russia pretty much as a peace having this character, and the nation she is, let them say so. If they are of a con- acquiesces in its decision, we have nothing trary or different opinion, let them announce further to say. If, on the contrary, it is not it. In either case we shall know where we so prepared, then the sooner France and are, what we are aiming at,-and what we England proclaim the independence of Pohave to do. At present the public is entirely land, and the restoration of Finland to Swein the dark on these points. We are like den, the less of our blood shall we shed, children looking out of a window, who ex- and the sooner will a certain and permanent pect some procession, of some sort or other, peace be established, bottomed on the only at some time or other, to pass by. We are sure ground. Thus alone can the moral sense looking out every day for news from the Black of the European mind find that repose and Sea, from the Baltic, from the Danube. What, satisfaction, which protocols, treaties, congressif we hear to-morrow that Sebastopol is bat- es, and holy alliances can never give. tered down? To what previously defined

From The Examiner, 27 May. OPERATIONS ON THE DANUBE.

their successes have been, unprovided and unassisted as they have remained until now. Notwithstanding all the blustering and lies of IT is reported that the French and English the Russian bulletins, every scheme of Prince generals at the seat of war have at last agreed Gortschakoff strikingly failed. When at the upon a plan of active operations, and it is to very commencement, the troops of Omar be hoped that this may promptly be confirm- Pasha took their bold stand behind no very ed. After reading the Austro-Prussian treaty, formidable entrenchments at Oltenitza, the no one can be certain any longer of the pre- courage of the Russians failed them. Again cise designs of Russia, or that her armies have at Kalafat they were found unable to force any other intention than retreat. But it is hostile breastworks. And there is now no our duty to render this retreat a necessity doubt that it was originally the intention of and a disgrace. If we would render the eva- the Russian commander to cross the Danube cuation of the Principalities any security for higher up than Widdin, in order to take that the future, we must make it in all respects fortress in the rear and compel the abandoncompulsory. We must not in this matter leave even so much opportunity for a boast as was furnished by the dismantling of the guns and the blowing up of the magazines at Ödessa.

ment of Kalafat, when the attempt was resisted by the gallantry of Ismael Pasha, so deservedly created Mushir the other day. Ismael attacked General Auret at Citate, carried Whatever is to be done, therefore, ought to his position, and drove the Russians back to be done quickly, seeing that the German Krajova with slaughter and disgrace. So it Powers have been busy opening posterns for has been throughout, and so it continues. In the enemy, and that their decrees for raising the partial rencontres which have since taken armies turn out to be mere covers for his re- place along the Danube, the Turks maintain treat. We are now, it seems, engaged in de- the superiority. General Luders occupies the stroying the Russian forts on the Circassian Dobrudscha-but if he cannot advance upon coast; but it is three months since this was talked of, and full six weeks since it might have been done. Not only the English but the European public is justly impatient for

results.

Wherever the Turks have yet had an opportunity on the Danube, the news has been encouraging. It is remarkable how steady

either Varna or Shumla, if he cannot carry the siege of Silistria, if he cannot facilitate the passage of the Danube to the other corps left in Wallachia, of what advantage will it have proved to him to have passed with 30,000 men into one of the most unwholesome and unprovided countries of Turkey?

The Russians have their armies on both