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 necessity 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