Staunton Spectator

The Kosta Affair.—The Paris correspondent of the National Intelligencer, writing under date of August 30, says—

The Kosta affair, in its probable bearings upon the relations of the United States and Austria, continues to vividly interest public opinion here.—The Austrian Government, far from disavowing the arbitrary conduct of its agent in Smyrna, has publicly approved of the same, and rewarded the functionary with the rare distinction of the cross of St. Leopold. Two subordinates of the consulate have been promoted and sent to Constantinople. It is certain that this Kosta affair, and the sanction at Washington which the American agents in it are reported to have received, and the nomination of Mr. Soule as Minister at Madrid, and the parting scene at New York between Mr. S. and his Democratic friends are inspiring European revolutionists with the hope, and some American citizens abroad with the fear that our Government is departing from the wise traditions which have hitherto regulated its foreign policy, and is about to embark in those dangerous adventures against which the counsels of our revolutionary forefathers so emphatically warned us. For one, I cannot say that I partake of those fears.—The keeping aloof as far as possible from European quarrels seems to me so palpably the dictate both of interest and patriotism that the Administration must be weak indeed that would allow itself, be impelled by the ultras of the party to an opposite course.