The Press. — London, England, 1857-09-26 00:00:00

THE PRESS, SEPTEMBER 26,1857. confidence in the natives Sir A. ALISON assumes on their behalf. We apprehend that there is not a European in India who does not prefer the protection of the neighbouring fort to the tender affections of that portion of the " great body of the people " by whom he may be surrounded. As to the causes which have estranged the great body of the people from their fidelity towards us, these at least aro patent to the world . Permanent misrule, utter faithlessness, and the most heartless extortion are tests of such a paternal nature that the most loyal people on earth could not long sustain. What wonder then that the Asiatic should rebel? As the rebellion in India extends new elements will be introduced on the field. Other nations besides onrselves have an interest in the preservation of peace in India. Our Paris correspondent reminds na this week that already the French Government regard uneasily the position of their settlements in the interior and on the coast, and, in his careful enumeration of their position and means of defence, would lead us to infer that France, at least, will not see her possessions plundered with impunity, nor her subjects massacred at pleasure. A French frigate, with 500 troops, has already arrived in the Hoogly, for the protection of Chandernagore, and it is quite possible that the aid of these troops may at the eleventh hour be solicited by Lord CANNING for the protection of Calcutta. With regard to the other posses sions of France upon the Carnatic coast, we believe that she is bound by the Treaties of 1814 either from erecting fortifications or from maintaining any military force beyond what is requisite for the duties of police. Here then are elements of a political complication with one European Power, arising out of that lamentable apathy which has permitted this insurrection to attain its full development, to the temporary destruction of our authority, and in consequence of our relative position with other Powers, in India. The sympathies of France have long been in favour of her Indian possessions. It is quite possible, therefore, that the obstinate folly of the Government for the last three months may entail upon us other concessions than those already shadowed forth for the native princes who support our cause. The difficulty of obtaining recruits continues to be one of the salient topics of the week. Seven hundred per week, the rate at which they arrive, is alarmingly low, considering that only fifteen regiments of militia are to he embodied. During the late war they came in at the rate of ono thousand two hundred a week, and at a time when the entire militia force was embodied, and when all the line and every cavalry regiment was at its full war strength. In the artillery, indeed, always a favourite service, the difficulty appears not so great, but no favour able disposition seems to have sprung up towards the regiments of the line. The fact is there is great difficulty just now in getting a man to do anything at all for a shilling a da3. The poorer classes are not so blind as not to see their own value at home. The present is a period of great prosperity, and it would really be very foolish it our labour ing population as a body to accept the recruiting sergeant's money. We say this with no reluctance now, because the temper of the country is perfectly apparent, and the only question to be con sidered is what steps should be taken in consequence. It is too late now to find in the middle classes, either as volunteers of any other capacity, a substitute for that steady influx of infantry soldiers which is necessary to the support of a regular army in time of war. Valuable auxiliaries they may probably prove, useful limbs of the great military body, but they cannot form its backbone. To us there seem but two ways of meeting the emergency—either ma terially to increase the bounty and the pay, or else to embody the whole Militia, recurring to the ballot to complete its ranks. By demanding :the restoration of the ballot, the middle classes would have an exceilent opportunity of testifying their zeal and devotion. It is their own order which suffered in the late mutiny, and we are sure they would willingly pay the 51. for a substitute in order to avenge their injuries. Nor, on the other hand, does the poor man half so much mind thA idea of " going for a soldier" when taken by the ballot, as when wheedled by the recruiting sergeant. He fears the laughter of his companions if he goes willingly, but under the ballot he would have no such apprehension. This, then, we are certain would be the simplest and most efficacious means of utilising the zeal of the middle classes. And if the suggestions thrown out in this journal months ago, and now we see taken up by the Government journals, of trans ferring whole militia regiments to the line, be followed out in all their integrity, hut which scheme, by the way, the authorities appear in disposed to adopt and unable to surpass, we shall have some hopes that things may then assume a more promising aspect. The Nord of September 23rd has addressed a leading article " nos lecteurs" that contains some remarkable admissions when the fact of its being the organ of an absolute Government is taken into consideration. It cannot be denied that, from its first appearance►, the journal has been distinguished both for ability and a commendable moderation. Strong in its assertion of Russian probity, and defending the policy of the Cabinet of St. Petersburg against the attacks of the Radical press in England, it has never abandoned that high tone of Conservatism which is in such glaring contrast to the coarse expres sions of democratic vituperation. The article of Wednesday last embodies a declaration of political principle that ►night almost satisfy the cravings of a Winchester demagogue. It says : It mi at be honestly acknowledged that a moral reformation is slowly but surely working its way into the heAtt of modern society. Without belonging to those who decry everything that is old and venerable, we have nothing in common, on the other hand : with that prejudiced party which condemns novelty as an absolute evil. They are tnings and institutions, excellent in themselves, and which time has consecrated ; and there are others, bearing those marks of decay that indicate the necessit y of a repair and reformation, by which they would be ameliorated, under the influence of ideas deeply sown, and that are now springing forth each day with increasing force. The work of reformation is everywhere the same, and its action is equally felt in 911 Germany as in England—in Italy as in Russia The reformers of the present day are neither atheists nor revolutionists, neither do they wish to return to the errors of the past. They advocate peace and reject war, and, strong in their moral and political convictions, they faithfully believe in the benefits of a social progress, the patrimony of the human race, which, by consolidating the union of States by an attention to their individual interests, will perfect a universal and national harmony, that has been too long obstructed by jealousies, rivalities, and carnage. _ . There will be few who will not read this passage with satisfaction, since it proves convincingly that " Reform ' is a truth, and that the example of England is about to effect a general change on the Conti nent that it would be dangerous to delay. Further:— The present generation believes that for governments and peoples to be lasting they must live together in strict amity, and, in order to secure a true confraternity, they must unite in developing their internal resources, and in carrying out the principle of free trade. (Rappel des tarifa ultra Protectiunnixtes et prohibilifs.) And then follows the eulogy of a free press, or rather, it should be said, of an enlightened journalism " impartiale et veridique." The value of the Nord as a general and European journal has long been felt, and, unlike many of its contemporaries, it has never swerved from the line originally adopted. That its tendencies are strictly Conservative, firm and moderate, supporting order and combating revolution, is guaranteed by the quarter from which it emanates ; yet not a line has ever appeared that can give offence to national pre judice, or excite national jealousies. The Nord has adopted for its motto—" Solidarite, internationalite—entre Gouvernements et Crou " vernements, entre peuples et peuples, entre les Gouvernements et " leurs peuples ;" and in offering itself to be the channel of political harmony, it assumes the duties of a high mission to which all must wish success. The ability of the Russian journal is patent, and its sincerity shall not be doubted. The arrival of Lord ELGIN at Calcutta will be a source of consola tion or otherwise to the public as they may be more or less acquainted with that nobleman's character. It is quite evident that all solicitude about China is at an end for the present. We don't know that we are altogether sorry for this. Perhaps it is as good a way of getting rid of that miserable squabble as any other. But it only shows how little there was that was real in the Chinese business from the beginning, and how that once the political end has answered Government cared very little what happend in the matter. But how remarkable is the change which has come over our Government? Six months ago it was war to the knife with the insulting barbarians ; now we are as mild as any sacking-dove. It is " so hard to see" what we are quarrelling for, it will be so cruel to fight in " cold blood," that it will be not only a gratifying act on our part, but a piece of accommo dating civility on the part of " these bloodthirsty barbarians," if they will shake hands over a cup of their superfine Bohea, and consent to forget and forgive." How touching is this Christian feeling in Sep tember, and how consistent with the cries o f March ! We are all in a delusion about Delhi. For weeks past the reports have been " finely confused and very alarming," but we rejoice to hear that they have not the slightest foundation. In fact, we have no cholera in the camp, we have ample supplies, plenty of men and ammunition, and we have not yet lost a man by sickness or poison. Those reports about the death of poor General ANSON, or brave General BARNARD, or General REED, of the failing ammunition, of the deadly spread of cholera, of 530 sick out of a camp of 4,000, and all before the arrival of the sickly season, of the daily losses in men and officers inflicted on us by the rebels, of the utter exhaustion of our troops at the arduous labours and harassing anxieties of their position, and last, not least, the serious councils of war held to discuss the necessity of a retreat to Kurnaul, are villainous fabrications, mere myths and idle fancies of the brain. It is nothing of the sort. Our camp is the heal thiest place in the world ; while, as to the feelings and spirits of all there, " when depression and alarm " has pervaded other quarters, Delhi camp, with a temperature of 140 deg., and a hot wind to boot, was the scene of " unbounded vivacity and confidence." Why, what a charming picture is this ! A harvesting or a Blair Athol! gathering is nothing to it. And then the situation ! so healthy, that under its invigorating influences the " delicate and ailing" grow " strangely robust." What a paradise must this camp be ! But, alas ! there is a reverse, for the Generals appear to have taken a practical view of affairs, and, amidst all this happiness and healthfulness, to have discovered the existence of " considerations " of other kinds" which " may have suggested the removal of the army.' What, in the face of " unbounded vivacity and confidence "? Poor soldiers ! How vividly, how truly do these words picture your coming back to camp, haggard, hungry, and footsore, bespattered with the blood and brains of your companions, worn out with your superhuman efforts to repel the foe, and resting, if you dare rest, wet. and weary among your dying comrades ! Woe to those who have left you to perish, and thus libel your struggles and your sufferings ! The subscription of the Sultan to the fund for the Indian suf ferers is generous and chivalrous, and it is all the more gratifying us showing that sentiments of honour and humanity can still prevail over affinities of race and creed. The Turkish people have, as a whole, many of those qualities which in this country we peculiarly associate with the term " gentleman"—(we mean, of course, the genuine Turks) —a certain lofty disregard of potty distinctions ; an unwillingness to take a , lvantage of a rival's reverses, and a something approaching to lavishness in their treatment of the precious metals. We honour them most sincerely for this opportune display of sympathy, and we regard it with the more satisfaction as a proof that our alliance with the Sultan and his subjects is as firmly rooted as ever. We sincerely trust that the people of this country %%111 learn a lesson from the con duct of this higlintinded and benevolent sovereign, and show towards the people of his faith a little of the forbearance and reflective charity which he has displayed towards them.