Staunton Spectator, And General Advertiser

EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

The news brought by the Canada is of higher importance than any received for the last 10 months. All Europe appears to be upon the eve of a general war. Denmark has refused to renew the armistice with the Duchies, and immediate hostilities are inevitable. Sweden and Russia will probably support the Danes, and France and Holland will find much difficulty in restraining their sympathies for Confederated Germany. But Germany, led by Prussia on the one side, and Denmark and Sweden on the other, would of themselves make much noise and commotion, and a very pretty fight.

In Italy, all is excitement and confusion. Austria has already entered the Papal States, and seized upon Ferrara. Tuscany has dethroned the Grand Duke, and it is said that Piedmontese troops, marching to the protection of the Tuscans, have encountered the Austrians, and that the war has broken out afresh in that quarter. Republican Rome with a Bonaparte for chief, is threatened both from without and within. Every sign indicates at an early day a furious strife in every section of the Peninsula. That the champions of liberty, distracted among themselves, and undisciplined and unprepared by education and habit for the great part they are called upon to play, will be worsted in the conflict, is seriously to be feared. But while they are divided, and even threatened with treachery in the King of Sardinia, the despots who surrounded them, and meditate their destruction, are guided by harmonious councils and united forces.

The reverses of England in India, by engrossing the attention and resources of that power may exert a very serious influence on the destiny of Europe. Heavy as that blow may be, we have no idea that it will materially and permanently affect her power and career in India. She will sway the destinies of that great country. Brave as her enemies may be—yet they are wanting in that skill, that perseverance, and patient courage, which are the characteristics of British diplomacy and British soldiers everywhere. They may be defeated to-day—and, according to their own accounts, they were defeated in the late affair of Chillianwallah (could we see the bulletins of the Sikhs, no doubt the British disaster would be greatly magnified)—they may be defeated again and again—but their indomitable endurance will ultimately master all difficulties. But it is in withdrawing her from the theatre of European affairs, at this particular time, and directing her energies upon Asia, that this disaster is most pregnant with big events. Russia will feel in a measure free to pursue her gigantic schemes of ambition, without the fear of check, while she considers England wholly absorbed in efforts to preserve her dominions upon the banks of the Indus.

The movement of Russia in aid of Austria and advancing towards Constantinople, is the most important event of the day. That colossal power has long had her eye fixed upon the city of Constantine and the dominions of the Sultan. She deems the time peculiarly propitious for the consummation of her projects. All Europe is more or less occupied with feuds, existing or apprehended between the rulers and the ruled—she can therefore advance without the fear of molestation in her rear. England is the only power that could cause her any serious apprehension—and she may have her hands full in India. It is not probable, however, that England could remain quiet and see Russia subdue Turkey. But her resistance would prove unavailing; the Russian net is already spread, and the bird is caught. Constantinople can oppose no successful resistance to any Russian demand. She is already in the toils. We do not know that this would be a result to be deplored. The Russian people is one of progress—slow it may be, but still of progress. The Turks are in a state of torpor, moral, physical and political. Their subjugation by the Russians might hasten the deliverance, and advance the civilization of both people. Rich. Whig.