The Sarnia Observer and Western Advertiser
Port Sarnia
April 20, 1854
WAR! WAR!!
The crisis which has been to a certain extent expected for some time
past, has at last arrived. Europe is now in a state of declared war.
The arrival of the Hermann at N. York on the 14th inst., with London
dates to the 29th ult., brings the intellingence that the Autocrat had
refused to give any reply to the joint demand of England and France,
and that in consequence of this Queen of England had sent a message to
both Houses of Parliment, intimating that she relied on the bravery of
her army and navy in the emergency. That this appeal would be met
with becoming spirit, even enthusiasm, there was no reason to doubt.
The war is decidedly popular in Great Britain, and the general feeling
appears to be an anxious desire that Russia, seeing she has
obstinately persisted in her refusal to accept of all terms of
mediation, may be made to hear the indignant growl of the British
Lion, and the crow the Gallic chantieleer. The Lion has reposed so
long in peace that many thought his ancient spirit had vanished; that,
in short, he was the British Lion no more. This however, is not the
case, and there is no reason to doubt that, under the improved panoply
in which science has latterly clothed him, his roar will make the
whole of European continent to tremble, if his voice is not obeyed.
War is, nevertheless, a sad alternative. The chivalrous spirit of a
nation, in the enthusiasm engendered by the idea that arms are
resorted to in a righteous cause, will for a time banish from the
minds of the people the sad and sickening scenes which are its
inevitable results. These sad realities must, however, ultimately
present themselves, and with the breeze which wafts to an expectant
people the glad tidings of victory over their enemies, must also be
borne the sorrowful news of the loss of many of their valiant fellw
countrymen, whose blood has been shed for the cause of liberty, and
the tidings of which will bring sadness and grief to many a dwelling.
Looking at the circumstances which have conspired to produce the war
which has just been declared, we cannot see that Great Britain could
well avoid participating in it, not however, for the purpose of
upholding and defending Mahomedanism, but in order to secure the
freedom of Turkey and the nations of Europe, from a despotism of a
much more arbitrary and dangerous character than even is that of the
Turks. The peace and furture welfare of England herself, and her
extensive numerous dependencies, renders it necessary that a check
should be put to the grasping ambition of the Russian despot; and our
hope is, that “God will defend the right” and that the victories of
the allied armies will be so brilliant, that the haughty and arrogant
Nicholas will speedily be compelled to come to those terms which
milder means were unable to procure.