The Press.
London, England, 1856-01-19 00:00:00

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No. 142.—V0L. IV. LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 19/1856 • STAMPED .... SIXPENCE.
UNSTAMPED..FIVEPENCE.
ing, but that danger rn is assuredly much less have acted on it ; they have given to it a co-
e Vress. than it was. plete development and realisation. The policy
We believe the Peace to be essentially wise
and just. But how will it be received by the of Peace is now in the ascendant; it is reeog-
country ? We fear with great dissatisfaction. nised by the journals which, until a few days
LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1856. The moderate terms we have obtained fall so past, were most inveterately opposed to it.
far short of the expectations excited, that we Its blessings will soon be proclaimed from
shall not be surprised to find its conditions thousands of pulpits, and its benefits be
excite a frenzy of discontent. Deception of
THERE will be a period of delay before a Treaty all kinds, but political deception in particular, diffused through the world.
of Peace can be formally declared, but the commonly bears within itself the seeds of When, three months ago, THE PRESS de-
public must not be deceived. Peace is already chastisement. Probably it will be so in this dared that the time seemed favorable to
case. pacific negotiation, we were assailed with a
established. On this head all the Govern- Who was it that deceived the people with storm of obloquy and reproach. All the
ments concerned are thoroughly agreed. false hopes? Who promised them enormous thunder of the newspaper world was hurled
There may be difficulties, but they will be political results from the War? Who spoke of against us, from the artillery of Printing-house-
overcome. Peace is resolved on, and to this remodelling the map of Europe—of pulling square to the pep guns of the evening and
down ancient dynasties—of wresting the weekly prints. We said, in the first instance,
great resolution all lesser resolutions will Crimea for ever from Russia—of exciting a that the original and legitimate objects of the
give way. social and governmental revolution within her War had been "conceded by negotiation or
Of what nature will this Peace be ? We borders? Let these men answer at the bar of " won by arms ; " that Russia had renounced
believe that it will be solid and durable, public opinion for their declarations, and lit all claim to the Protectorate of the Princi-
them stand convicted of the grossest insin- palities, and all right of interference with the
because it is founded on statesmanlike prim- cerity or the simplest folly. internal government of the Porte; that she
ciples, and is extremely moderate in its terms. Those who were most forward in exciting had accepted the complete freedom of the
Russia is a young and ambitious empire. It immoderate expectations have, by a just retri- Danube ; and that by the fall of Sebastopol
has never yet known restraint or understood bution, been the very men officially instru- and the destruction of the Euxine fleet the
its true position as a member of the European mental in disappointing them. The general neutralisation of the Black Sea was an accom-
family. Its southern possessions have up to character of the Peace will satisfy the Conserve- plished fact. We printed to these conditions
this time never been brought within the scope tire party—will it satisfy the Ministerialists ? as the principal ones to be insisted on, and we
of European policy. Turkey, from the pecu- How curious has been the destiny of the two endeavoured to dispose the mind Of the
liarity of its position and its faith, has hitherto last Coalitions. Lord ABERDEEN'S Peace country to sentiments of moderation, and turn
been an outlying nation. The treaties between Government, against its will, drifted into war, it from those exaggerated expectations which
Russia and the Porte have been separate and Lord PALMERSTON'S War Government, we foresaw must end in disappointment, or
treaties, and the younger and stronger Power equally against its will, has drifted into peace. change the whole character of the War.
has encroached continually on the territory of In each case the reputation of England has How were our representations met? With
its indolent neighbour. All that is now somewhat sunk through the total want of prin- monstrous fables of a new Coalition, in which
changed. Russia will never more make a ciple on the part of its rulers. Mr. DISRAELI was to be dragged at the tail of
separate treaty with Turkey. The integrity Equally strange is it that the Conservative Mr. COBDEN, and Lord STANLEY to be smothered
of that State or territory of which Constan- Opposition has supported both Governments under the broadbrim of Mr. BRIGHT. The
tinople is the capital, will be jealously guarded in acting against their inherent convictions and motive of our course was sought in every di-
by the leading Powers of Europe, whatever principles. We forced Lord ABERDEEN to rection but the right one. People too dull to
mutations the State itself may be destined to engage iu a war necessary to the honour of see an inch beyond their nose, and too care-
pass through. England and to the security of Europe ; we less to care a straw for principle, thought it
The Peace has another strong claim to have forced Lord Palmerston's to aeree to a incredible that a journalist should exercise on
attention. On no former occasion, save the Peace now that the objects of thet'War are the most important political question of this
close of the last great war, have both the opinion accomplished. A few weeks back we were generation ordinary foresight and honesty.
and might of Europe been so clearly arrayed threatened with a dissolution. What would We differed widely from our great popular
on the side of right as on this occasion. To be the prospects of the Government with a contemporaries, first because we had some
this circumstance may be attributed the short- dissolution now? other objects in view than to flatter the po-
ness of the contest. And, as regards the future In our future history this War will occupy a pular humour of the moment, and to raise
destinies of nations, it is surely most eneou- page of mingled gloom and glory. It has been illusions which it was certain time would
raging to find that the spread of civilisation clouded by faults of administration almost dispel ; and, next, because we knew that every
and knowledge has a direct tendency to beyond belief from their grossness, and by statesman worthy of the name in Europe was
shorten ware, by enlightening opinion as to shameful timidity on the part of the Execu- of opinion that the contest might he brought
their real nature, and by arraying the tire. But it has its bright side. The patriotic to a close with the attainment of every object
stronger force on the side of the jester cause. spirit of the people has never failed ; they did of real importance that could justify the
Those persons who maintain that because not need the stimulants applied to them ; and War, with signal honour to the Allies, and with
Russia has not been materially weakened she our army, notwithstanding that it constantly salutary restraint but no unnecessary humi-
will seize the first favorable opportunity of moved in fetters, never displayed more invin- liation to Russia. Were we to remain hypo-
renewing the struggle, have some reason on cible heroism. Above all, this War has critically silent,—were we to join in a IniS''
their side. Their position is intelligible, but destroyed for a generation to come the chievous cry,—or were we, relying on the good
it is not tenable. The Governments of Europe miserable fallacies of that school of politicians sense and ultimate justice of our countrymen.
have declared against it. They bold out their who, in their silly eagerness for Peace, would to speak to them with frankness and tell
band to Russia, and are ready to repose con- deprive us of the arms which give us power to them the truth ? When the storm swelled
fidence in her faith. enforce it—who would rob us of our best highest against us, we appealed from the
- What if she deceives expectation ?In that possession and dearest birthright—our high passions of the moment to a not distant future.
case the same sort of process will have again place among the nations of the world—and It has come upon us sooner than we expected,
to be gone through. What we would insist on expose us to become the scoff and prey of We are in its presence this, we sub-
is, that the durability of Peale must always States with more martial instincts and keener mit what we have "fit to
depend more on the general agreement as to insight into the nature of humanity and the its enlightened judgmat ...: - • •--
principles of international policy among the history of mankind. When the Emperor tfthel'autsew delivered
Governments of Europe, than on the tempts- his address at the eloaint_of liaer Etzposition.
tions which time and circumstance may pre- CONSERVATIVE PEACE. we pointed to it as iii naThre. of a policy ofease,
sent to any one of those Governments to I , peace, and of the seiTtlinent ::, . o,:tle
break from control and endanger the general Tis no longer necessary that we should mind of the French Glaivdriiineat.. ' '/- were
justify the policy advocated in THE PRESS told that we misunderalod. his '- • . ,ex-
equilibrium. Russia is in the position of a
generous colt which has just been broken in. since the fall of Sebastopol. Events have pressions,—that they in re, all
There may still be danger of bolting or shy- justified it. The Governments of Europe if we construed them iin ~. -, o - - ,nse we
- .