The Press. — London, England, 1856-10-04 00:00:00

942 ject which would singularly complicate a state of affairs already so much endangered in the Italian peninsula. RUSSIA. The following circular, addressed by Prince Gorts chakoff, Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, to the diplomatic representative 4 of Russia at the several foreign Courts, was published in the Cologne Ga tette of Sunday last : Moscow, Sept. 2, 1858. The treaty signed at Paris on the 30th March, which put an end to a struggle the proportions of which threat ened continually to increase, and the final issue of which was beyond human prediction, has been invoked to re• establish the normal state of international relations in Europe. The powers which had coalesced against us assumed for their motto the respect of right and the independence of Governments. It is not our intention to return to an his torical examination of the question as to how far the attitude of Russia endangered either of those principles. It is not our wish to raise a fruitless discussion, but to obtain the practical application of the same principles which the great powers of Europe have proclaimed by placing themselves directly or indirectly as our adversaries, and we invoke them the more readily as they never ceased to be our own. We do not do any of the great European powers the injustice of supposing that their object was simply to have a watchword for the occasion, and that the struggle once over, each deems itself authorised to pursue a line of conduct suited to its private views and interests. We accuse no one of making use of those fine words as of a weapon ready to hand at the moment to extend the area of the struggle and then consigned to rust in the dust of the armoury. On the contrary, we would rather remain convinced that all the powers which asserted those prin ciples did so in perfect honesty and good faith, and with the sincere intention of carrying them out under all cir- Starting from this point, we must suppose that it is the intention of all the powers which participated in the last war, as it is the thought of the Emperor our august master, that the general peace should be the fixed point of depar ture for the re-establishment of relations based upon the respect of right and the independence of Governments. Has this hope been fulfilled ? Has the state of inter national relations been re-established ? Without entering into the minute details of some se condary questions, we regret that we are compelled to say that there are two countries which form part of the Euro- pean family, in one of which the normal condition does not yet exist, and where in the other it is threatened with attack. We allude to Greece and to the kingdom of Naples. There is no longer an excuse now for the occupation of the Hellenic territory, against the will of the sovereign, and in opposition to the sentiments of the nation. Politi cal motives might, to a certain point, explain the violence done to the person of the sovereign. Necessities of war, more or less proved, might be urged to give a colouring to the infraction of right. But now that none of these motives can any longer be alleged, it appears to us impos- sible to justify before an equitable tribunal the continued presence of foreign troops on the soil of Greece. Thus the first words pronounced by our august master when the restoration of peace enabled the Emperor clearly to express his views on the subject have been, with regard to this matter, clear and precise. We did not conceal our opinion in the councils of the Cabinets, and we still main tain it. We feel it, however, a duty to add, that although the results have not yet fully answered our expectations, we entertain the hope of not remaining isolated in a position where right and justice are evidently in favour of the cause which we support. As regards the kingdom of Naples, if it has rot yet come to a question of cure, it appears to us much to be feared that it is high time to think of prevention. The King of Naples is the object of a pressure, not because his Majesty has transgressed any engagement imposed upon him by treaty towards foreign Courts, but because, in the exercise of his incontestable rights of sovereignty, he governs his subjects according to his fancy. We could understand that as a consequence of friendly forethought a Government should give advice to another in a benevolent spirit; that such advice might even assume the character of exhortation ; but we believe that to be the furthest limit allowable. Less than ever can it now be allowed in Europe to forget that sovereigns are equal among themselves, and that it is not an extent of territory, but the sacred character of the rights of each, which regu lates the relations that exist between them. To endeavour to obtain from the King of Naples concessions as regards the Internal government of his States by threats or by a menacing demonstration is a violent usurpation of his authority, an attempt to govern in his stead—it is an open declaration of the right of the strong over the weak. We need not tell you the view our august master would entertain on such pretensions. His Majesty flatters him self with the hope that they will not be carried out. He entertains this hope the more confidently as it is the doc trine also of the States which place themselves at the head of civilisation, and where the principles of politiCal liberty have received their greatest development, who have never ceased to proclaim it as their creed, so far even as to endeavour to apply it where circumstances only allowed this by forcing the interpretation. You will have • care, whenever the two questions we have above touched upon are mooted at the Court where you reside, to leave no donht upon the view taken by our august master. Such frankness is the natural consequence of the system the Emperor adopted on the day he ascended the throne of his ancestors. That system is not unknown to you. It is the Emperor's wish to live on friendly terms with •ll Governments. His Majesty thinks that the best means THE PRESS. of doing so is not to dissimulate his views upon any of the questions which are connected with European interna tional law. The compact union (Jaisccau) of those who for many years maintained with us the principles to which Europe for more than a quarter of a century was indebted for peace no longer exists in its former integrity. The will of our august master was a stranger to this result. Circumstances have restored to us our full freedom of action. The Emperor is resolved to devote his care in preference to the welfare of his subjects, and to concen trate upon the development of the internal resources of the country an activity which will only take an external direction when the positive interests of Russia absolutely demand it. Russia is reproached with isolating herself and with re• maining silent in presence of facts which are not in keep. ing either with right or justice. Russia, it is said, " sulks." Russia does not sulk; Russia is collecting herself. As regards the silence of which we are accused, we might call to mind that formerly an artificial agitation was got up against us, because our voice was always heard whenever we thought it necessary to support the right. That action which was the safeguard of many a Government, and from which Russia herself derived no advantage, was made use of to accuse us of aspiring to I know not what universal domination. We might shelter our silence under the impression of that recollection. But we do not think that such an attitude is suited to a power to which Providence has assigned in Europe the place which Russia occupies there. This despatch will prove to you that our august master does not confine himself to this part when he feels it his duty to express his opinion. It will always be the same when the voice of Russia may be of use to the cause of right, or when it may concern the dignity of the Emperor not to allow his views to remain a secret. As regards the employment of our material power (nos forces malirielles), the Emperor reserves this for his free The policy of our august master is a national one ; it is not an egotistical one; and, if hiv Majesty places the in- terests of his people in the first line, he does not admit that even the service of those interests can excuse the violation of the rights of others. You are authorised, &c., GORTEICHAKOIT. Le Nord, in publishing the circular, authenticated the document in the following terms : We publish to day the text of a circular addressed by Prince Gortschakoff, Minister of Foreign Affairs of his Majesty the Emperor Alexander 11., to the representatives of Russia in foreign countries. This document appeared this morning in the Cologne Gazelle. Its importance can• not but strike every one. It is the clear and precise programme of the foreign policy which the Emperor's Government has adopted. It is the complement of the official documents that have emanated from the Emperor himself, or his Ministers, and of which we had previous knowledge. ITALY. The circular of Prince Gortsohakoff has been re. ceived at Naples as a great moral support against the Western powers. Defensive measures were being actively pushed forward. The Duchies of Parma and Modena have signi fied to the Austrian Government their intention of withdrawing from the Customs League. SPAIN. Marshal Narvaez ha s left Paris en route for Madrid. M. Mon's appointment as Ambassador to Rome was looked upon as certain. A Spanish squadron was about to leave Cadiz for the Mediterranean. The sequestration on the property of Queen Maria Christiana has been removed by a Royal decree. The creation of a Colonial Department was again talked of. The Hoja Autografa says there is no truth in the report that the state of siege is to be raised on the 10th of October throughout the kingdom. A letter of Madrid mentions that satisfactory re plies from Berlin and Vienna had been received at the Foreign-office to the despatches sent by the Go vernment to announce the political change that bad occurred in Spain. Count Buol and Baron de Man teuffel are said to have expressed satisfaction at the conciliatory, moderate, and firm policy pursued by the Spanish Government. TURKEY. The Montenegro question is not yet settled. and a strong division of Turkish troops is under orders for that country. The cession of Bolgrad by Russia is denied by Le Nord. That journal asserts that Russia will bring the question before the commission at Paris. AMERICA. Intelligence from New York to the 19th states that the Presidents' struggle is daily growing more intense. The chances of Fremont on the whole are thought favorable, and the southern States declare that in the event of his election they will dissolve the Union. The Bull of Pope Gregory XVI., for the abolition of the slave trade, had been republished, with the view of bringing the Roman Catholics in a body over to Fremont. The Bull had been suppressed in America, and the strong terms in which it was expressed were considered certain to have a great effect. Indeed, so great was the demand for the pamphlet that 40,000 copies were sold as soon as printed. The Bull " pro- SATURDAY, hibits and interdicts all and every individual, eccle. siastical or laical, from defending or supporting the slave trade, or teaching or publishing anything con trary to the admonitions given in the letter, which dare all Christians to subject negroes or other men to slavery, or even to aid any in so doing." The Buchanan organs state, that "it is arranged to call the legislatures of Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia, to concert measures to withdraw from the Union before Fremont can get possession of the army and navy and the purse-strings of government. Go vernor Wise is actively at work already in the matter. The South canrely on the President in the emergency contemplated. The question now is, whether the peo ple of the South will sustain their leaders ?" The Virginia organs of the Buchanan party express " their hope that the pious South, with its law-and order-loving planters, will, through Mr. Buchanan, make such an impression on the middle States as to induce them to join for the exclusion of the North from the Union. An extension of the slave-holding territory to the neighbourhood of the great lakes, so as to include Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Pennsyl vania, an ialliance with Russia and Brazil, and the possession of Cuba, will, it is supposed, serve the pur pose of stemming and turning back the torrent of in fidelity, materialism, sensuality, aggrarianism, and anarchy that threatens to overwhelm us from the pro lific hive of Northern Europe. The Charleston Mercury says :—" There is not a single public man in the limits of our State, not one of her present representatives or senators in Congress, who is not pledged to the lips in favour of disunion. We have had enough of the glorious union.' . . . A thoroughly organised disunion party is the deside ratum ; and until such be formed at the South, all time devoted to political discussion will be time wasted." The New York Republican Convention has issued a manifesto of principles, addressed to the electors of that State. The manifesto reviews the aggressions of slavery in the Republic from the foundation of government. It declares that the past history of ti e country is unhappily the triumphant and successful progress of slavery, and summarises the advances of slavery in the States, which, commencing with six States with 600,000 slaves, now includes fifteen States with 3,000,000, _ _ The manitesto then exclaims :—" Where and when is this advancing tide to cease? And what power is there on earth, except that will of the whole people which we now invoke, that can bid its swelling waters to be still?" INDIA AND CHINA. A telegraphic despatch from Trieste, 'Wednesday, Oct. 1, states: The steamer Bombay arrived here to-day at two p.m., in 135 hours from Alexandria, which port she left on the 23th of September. The Indian mail was to leave Alexandria on that day, with advices from Calcutta to the 22nd of Auguat ; Bombay, 29th of August; Hongkong, 9th of August ; and Shanghai, Ist of August. Preparations were being made at Bombay for a military demonstration in the Persian Gulf. Many parts of China are in a disastrous state. At Canton a great loss of property and of life had occurred from floods. Governor Geary, of Kansas, had delivered an ad dress at Lecompton on the 11th instant, on assuming office. He deprecated a continuance of the strite and disorder in the territory, caused by the inter ference of other States, promised to do justice to all without party considerations, and said he expected obedience to the laws of the territorial legislature, until they were repealed. A proclamation was issued on the same day, ordering that the volunteer militia be discharged, and commanding that all armed bodies of men disband or at once quit the territory. The news from California is important, as it places ns in possession of the pleasing intelligence that the vigilance committee of San Francisco had disbanded. The committee, after releasing Judge Terry uncondi tionally, and with only the recommendation that he resign his office as judge of the Supreme Court of the State, consummated their labours, and formally dis banded on the 18th of August, celebrating the event by a grand parade, in which between six and seven thousand took part. The Fremont party were making rapid strides in all parts of the State. A SPANISH PROTESTANT gentleman, Don Anglos di Mora, a separatist from the Church of Rome, and a Protestant missionary, has been seized and impty soned at Madrid by the ecclesiastical authoria ei The committee of the Protestant Alliance have peti tioned Lord Clarendon to interfere. The petition states that M. de Mora, while quietly walking in the Prado at Madrid, was suddenly assaulted and beaten, in the presence of some priests, and dragged away in custody by some officers of the police to the civil governor of Madrid. The vicar general, the chief ecclesiastical authority in cases of heresy, claimed him as his prisoner; be was thrown into a dungeon, and remains at present in prison subject to be dealt with according to the Royal decree of 1813, which by reference to the ancient law (la ley ii., titulo xxvi., partida vii.) still imposes the punishment of death by fire upon heretics.