The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09 00:00:00

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1878.

BRIGHTENING PROSPECTS.

Week by week the days are lengthening ;
we are leaving winter behind its ; and the
spring, though it may be yet some distance
ahead, is surely and certainly before us. The
atmospheric gloom of the present winter has
unfortunately been associated with gloom
of another and a more substantial
description. The year 1877 closed as
dismally as any during the present generation.
When the dark December days were at their
shortest, the country was startled at the
announcement that Parliament was to meet
three weeks before its usual time, and this was
interpreted into a meaning that there was a
danger of the country being drawn into the
conflict which had for several months been
going on between the Muscovite and the
Moslem on both the European awl Asiatic
continents. Christmas and New Year associa-
tions were jarred upon by reports of public
meetings called in support of the policy of
neutrality hitherto pursued by Her Majesty's
Government. The now year opened with
sombre prospeets, for the sky was not only
grey ; it was overcast with black and louring
clouds which threatened to burst at any
moment in a terrible
_tempest of war, When

'arliament met on the 17th of January,
the public mind was to some extent
relievai by the declarations of Alinis.ers
in both Houses of the Legislature that so far as
the war had gone nothing had occurred to
warrant a departure from that neutrality which
had been thus far observed. This feeling was
somewhat interfered with a week later when
the Chancellor of the Exehequer gave notice of
his intention to ask the House of Commons
for a vote of credit amounting to six millions
sterling. Immediately upon this came the re-
signation of the Secretary of State for the
Colonies, which was accepted by the Queen, and
the proffered resignation of the Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, whifibit was afterwards
withdrawn.

The signature of the Armistice, and the
acceptance of the preliminaries of peace as the
basis for the negotiation of a Treaty, have
helped to drive away some of the clouds which
had settled down so heavily over the land.
If the two belligerent Powers have agreed upon
terms for the cessation of hostilities, there is

ope that a calm discussion of the points at
issue will result in a peace as durable as we can
expect mundane matters of that kind to be.
The Treaty of Vienna lasted nearly forty years
—a more than average existence. The Treaty
of Paris, concluded in 1855, lasted in its main
provisions twenty-one years. Lord Palmerston
said it would last his time, but it continued in
force nearly a dozen years after the cheery old
man had been laid in his grave io Westminster
Abbey. Give the Treaty now to be negotiated
a life equal in length to the Treaty of Paris,
the dawn of the twentieth century will be upon
us. Mighty changes will by that time have
passed over the complexion of politics, both
borne and foreign. Contrasting 1856 with
1878, it will be seen that in the interval both
Italy and Germany have passed from empty
geographical expressions to great and powerful
nationalities. Prussia occupied so small r
place in the public estimation two-,lud-tw...n
, ears ago, that it was s•rioils:), debated wileiaie.
she should have a place at the Conference
table ; Italy, or as she then was, Sarainia,
only obtained a place there through having
sent her little army to co-operate with the
Western Powers against Russia in the Crimea.
The old German Bund was then an influential
body ; the Austrians held Lombardy and
Venetia, and the Grand Dukes of Tuscany and
Parma were ruling over their little sets of
dominions. To return to these systems again
would seem to be like going back to the times
of the Saxon lieptarchy. Yet it is only just
aver twenty years ago. At home the legislation,
civil and ecclesiastical, financial and educa-
tional, has added marvellously to the solid
interests of the kingdom. Both parties have
joined in widening the basis of the Constitu-
tion ; the 10 renters in boroughs have given
way to householders with no limi; of rent
whatever, and the £5O occupation franchise is

_
counties is now one of £l2. The British Navy
has been converted from the wooden walls
which in 1854 sailed to the Baltic and the
Black Seas, into gigantic ironclads, each more
costly and complex in its construction than its
predecessor.
It may safely be assumed the prospects of
European peace and of consequent returning
prosperity are brighter than they were, anti
that as the longer days will bring more light
and less gloom, they will also be accompanied
by hopes of amity which, once worked into a
foundation, will, as Lord Palmerston said,
"last our time." Say the new Treaty has an
existence like the preceding one arising out of
the Eastern Question, and the present century
will have ebbed away before that troublesouue
controversy is reopened. A new generation of
public men will then be before the country,
one which will, under any circumstances, strive
to maintain, a 3 British statesmen have always
done, the honour, the interests, and the securit!.
of their native laud.
Since the above was in type the whole
country is again thrown into great excitement
hy ruoiouts that the Russians have entered
Constantinople. A special Cabinet Council
,vas held and there was great excitement in
he House of Commons on Thursday nigh..
Ciri.,et meetings have ()eon held all ov(':
England during the last few days passing votes
I confidence in the Ministry and petition
:igneii by thousands, not uni-y by all true Con-
t..rvatives but by nicely or ine so•cailp:.
Liberals, and :ivy nave no duub;, clad t;),
effect upon those who nave ever since th
opening of Parliament done their best tc
harass the Government all they could and
finding that Government was likely to have a
very large majority to vote for the money
asked for have at the last moment withdrawn
their amendment. The House then divided on
the main question that the Speaker do leave the
chair when they obtained a majority of 199
for the Government, 295 for the motion acd 96
, against it.