The Press.
London, England, 1856-01-26 00:00:00

THE WEEK.

THE political situation has not changed since our last issue, but
increasing confidence is felt that the negotiation in progress will
result in a definitive treaty of peace. The only drawback to this
expectation is the ambiguous, or hostile, language of the Ministerial
press. On Thursday the Morning Post had an article in what we
may call official type, roundly abusing the Russian Government for
pretending to lay claim to moderation. The substance and style of
this document reveal the Oracle veiled by the newspaper broadsheet.
The substance is so flimsy as almost to elude apprehension,
and the style petulant and peppery. Looking closely into the
article, all that can be gathered from it is, that in a circular
by Count NESSELHODE he states that " the Government of the
"Czar has not sought to impede the work of reconciliation by accessory
"negotiations, in the hope that due account will he taken of its mode-
" ration." By that phrase " accessory negotiations" the wrath of the
Oracle is kindlen into a flame. Firstly, it is "simply unintelligible "
in which we quite agree ; secondly, it indicates the " usual Russian
"style of unhesitating assertion ;" thirdly, it is " another specimen of
" the artful style of the wording of Russian diplomatic documents ;"
fourthly, it is an " attempt to flatter the French "—of course at
our expense ; fifthly, it is designed to " throw dust in people's eyes,
to blind them to " the part that Russia is really playing;" sixthly, it
" tends to show " the ever active and insidious character of Russian
diplomacy " Never, surely, did an unmeaning diplomatic phrase raise
so great a storm in a tea-cup before.

Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The Glnbe takes up the wondrous tale.
What can " accessory negotiations " mean ? cries the " Gent of the
press "in a passion. It casts about, far and wide, for an answer to its
question, and at last comes to the conclusion that, in the Russian
sense, it is "a hint to the opposed party to tie its own hands." Ali
this nonsense would not be worth a moment's notice, if it were not
the nonsense of a person in a great place, and if it did not indicate the
temper with which our Government enters on a most weighty negotra-
tion. It has failed, however, to have the slightest influence on public
opinion. We are happy to see that the great English journal has at
last thrown its weight into the right scale, and now adopts a calm and
pacific tone. We recognise its immense influence, and are happy to
have it at last on our side. When will our Conservative contem-
poraries understand that the time for war harangues has passed by
Surely they must by this time see that the party whose sentiments
they claim, in common with THE PRESS, to represent, is not inclined
to oppose that peace which we fully believe will hereafter be a great
landmark in the settlement of Europe. Even the Daily Neal so far
modifies its views of " an armed truce," as to suppose that the treaty
will be a truce for twenty years.

Whether it be true or not that the Emperor of RUSSIA has sent
instructions to his generals in the Crimea to suspend hostilities, the
question of an armistice demands immediate consideration. It is
admitted on all sides that the negotiation is now at least bona fide; and
while it is proceeding, what objection can rationally be urged to a
suspension of hostilities? An armistice would commit the bellige-
rents to nothing; it could not be more beneficial to one party than
the other; it need not even impair the most active preparations for
war. It would simply suspend active fighting, save the lives of some
scores of sentries on either side, and allow the combatants a
period of repose. At this season of the year no active operations
can take place ; the utmost harm the opposed armies can do each
other is to surprise an outpost now and then ; and it would seem but
an act of humanity, with such reasonable chances of peace before us,
to put an end to this useless slaughter for the two or three months
required for those " important formalities," which the Ministerial
journals assure us must be lengthened in proportion to the magnitude
of the question at issue.

The return of Mr. WALPOLE for the University of Cambridge will
certainly be the more desirable, inasmuch as it will probably bring
a valuable addition to the ranks of the Conservative party, in the
person of Mr. WARREN, Q C., the candidate for Midhurst. The literary
talent, the high legal qualifications, and the eminent purity of his
moral character, sufficiently attest his worthiness to replace Mr.
WALPOLE in the representation of Midhurst. In Mr. WARREN the
Conservative party will gain an eloquent champion, while in
the opportunity thus opened to him Mr. NVARREN will find a new field
for the exercise of his distinguished ability and political knowledge.

We have authority to state that, in consequence of the strongly
expressed wish of the constituents of North Essex, Major BERESFORD
will not retire from the representation. C. Dr CANE, Esq., of Braxted
Park, formerly Member for Malden, is the candidate chosen by the
Conservative party to fill the vacancy about to be created by the retire-
ment of Sir JOHN TYRELL, Bart.

The Conservatives meet the coming Parliament with a union and
firmness such as have not been seen in that body for several years.
It is not too much to say that in quarters where apathy existed, there is
now a judicious zeal, and that the best results may be expected
from the action of the Conservative party in the coming session. We
have heard many gratifying proofs that the spirit of the great con-
stitutional party is for union, firmness, and cemented action. Proudly