The Express.
London, England, 1853-10-19 00:00:00

RUSSIAN AGGRESSION UPON TURKEY.

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Last might a numerous meeting of the inhabitants
of the borough of Finsbury was held at the Music llall,
Store. street, for the purpose of calling on the government
to aid the Turks in compelling the Russian army to evacu•
ate the Danubian Principalities. Mr. I)uNco3roe,
for the borough, occupied the chair. Mr. Oliveira,
Mr. Urquhart, Mr. N cholays, and other Reformer., were
present. .

Letters of apology for non-attendance were read from the
Lord Mayor, Col. fnompson, and others.

The CH AMMAN that often as he had the honour of
meeting his constituents in public assemblies, he could re-
for they never met on an occasion so fraught
collect no occasion on which he had greater pleusure in
portant cons( quencis as that which now
mbwreioteuhtginhggtrattleeemma;'tdogimether. Looking at the requisition which
brought them together he found that it called on the
British government to aid by every means in their power
in expelling the liu,sian army from the Danubian Drinsipa-
liti s, where they were committing an tlllju.titiaole aggres-
sion on an old ally. (Bear, hear.) If that aggression mutant
anything it meant war. (Bear, hear) And it was worthy
of the consideration of the people of this country, whether

they ought or ought not to press, in terms not to In Misu;
derstood, how far they would sanction the government of
the day in adopting proceedings of that t ort. They often
heard that it was the prerogative (tithe crown to make war,
but it was also the prerogative of the people to call the
government to account for their conduct, and he should
like to have seen at that moment some preparation made by
the government for .he assembling of parliament—(cheer.)
—so that the people of the country might have an oppor-
tunity of expressing their opinions as to what the conduct
of England ought to be on this important occasion. (Bear.)
That a wanton and unjustifiable aggression had been
wade on the part of Russia there could be no doubt. It wet
equally clear that a great wrong bad been done to Tinker,
and that every hour the Russians remained in the PenCo
polities the wr.sng to Turkey was not only continued, but
an insult offered to Europe at large. (lit or, hear.) There
could be no doubt that there was a difference of opinion
as to the course which, this country ought to adopt en this
occasion. They bad read the proceedings which took place
at the Peace Conferente at Edinburgh, which were as
doubt very amiably end delicately conducted. (Laughter.)
But looking at the materials with which they bed to deal—
the Nicholases of the North—he did not believe that that
Conference would make much impression upon those auto-
crats. In our negotiations with them, utile,' we meant
gunpowder, and nothing but gunpowder, they would not
attend to us at all. They would snap their fingers at us;
and we might just as well whistle to the winds as talk
about amicable negotiations with persons so determined to
do wrong if they had the power. (Hear, near.) Bet
still when they cried out for war, it was well that they
should know what it was to be fur, and what it was likely
to cost them. (Hear, hear.) The taxation of this
country at the end of the last century was 2,000,0001. ;
in 1815 it rose to 70,000,0001. The annual expenditure at
the end of the last century was 3,000,0001., in 1850 it me
to 130,000,0001. (Hear, hear.) Bat yet, though this
seemed a great sacrifice, they must not conclude a dis-
honourable peace, or bullet any disgrace teem the Emperor
of Russia. (Hear, hear.) In dist:toeing the subject of dis-
pute between Turks y and Russia, and the conduct of oar
own government in reference thereto, they were labouring
under a great disadvantage in consequence of the system of
secret diplomacy adopted by the government of this
country. (Hear, hear.) Never, on soy former occasion,
was the failure of that system so clearly shown as in the
present one. (Hear.) There were six great powers engaged
in conducting this matter, including Russia and Turkey,
the powers more immediately concerned. Of these six
powers five published the facts to the world
at large, and informed their own people of the
progress of create by means of circulars and
manifestoes. But the English government stood alone in
keeping back from the people of this country all informs.
tiou on this subject. All that they could get the govern-
ment to say at the closing of parliament was that the
negotiations were not yet complete, and it would be incon-
venient to divulge what was going on. (Laughter.) Yet
at that very time the French government were publishing
their despatches. (Hear, hear.) An amusing instance of
the folly of keeping back information from the people took
place the other day. The first manifesto of the Emperor
Nicholas was an attempt to justify his wanton and unfree
rentable aggression on the Moldavian and Wallachian prin-
cipalities. That statement was false from beginning to
end, because it poceeded on the assumption that thou
principalities were oceupied by reason of our vessels entering
the port of Constantinople, the contrary being the fact.
(Hear, hear.) It used to be said that if faith and honour
were banished from the rest of the world they would bk
found in the breast of princes. That was not the case now.
But whet happened ? The French government made a
spirited reply to that manifesto, which told Russia in plain
terms that the statement pat forward by her was a false-
hood. (Hear.) Lord J. Russell said in the House of
Commons that the reply of England was much to the same
effect. That was all. But garbled passages of that reply
having appeared in some foreign newspapers which mis-
represented what actually took place, Lord Clarendon felt
obliged some time ago to publish the official copy of
the despatch, in order to set the matter right. (Hear.)
Lord Palmerston awaited the ladies and gentlemen of the
north the other day by telling them that her Majesty's go-
vernment were ready to go farther than any other in cor-
recting any abuses that were shown to exist. That was
very good, if he was in earnest. The system of secret
diplomacy was an abuse to which Lord Palmerston, if be
was in earnest, ought to apply a practical remedy ; and
there were many other improvements which could be made,
both in church and Oath. (Hear, hear.) It was not for
him to anticipate the resolutions that it would please them
to adopt, nor would it be becoming in him to anticipate
any of the sentiments which they might choose to express;
but he was satisfied of this, that whatever resolutions they
might adopt, or whatever sentiments they might express,
they would be in accordance with the liberal principles
which he, as their representative, had always endeavoured
to uphold. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. SWAM, is proposing the first resolution, said that
he never stood before any meeting with a greater
Knee of the importance of the subject. It had
been said by one of the principal spe .kers of the Peace
Conference that the war meetings, as they were called,
were composed principally of unthinking people. Be con-
fessed that that statement set him, at ail events, to think
upon this question. They were now met to consider the
question at issue in the East of Europe, and the part that
England should take with regard to it. Now that the
negotiations were drawing to a close, it behoved them to
weigh well and consider the part that England should take
oa that momentous subject, in order that they might not
hereafter be accused of adopting a hasty and inconsiderate
course. (Hear.) The res Auden which he was about to pro-
pose was to the effect that the invasion of the Turkish
empire by the Emperor of Russia was a wanton and unpro-
voked outrage, end an infracticn of international law,
and it called on the government of this country to auist
Turkey in expelling the Russians from the Danubian prin-
cipalities. (Hear, hear.) It would not be necessary ter
him to show that the invasion was wanton and unprovoked;
that nobody would deny. But in order to show what was
the real object and character of that aggression, it would
be necessary for him to show how the quarrel originated.
Mr. Sheen then stated to the meeting the origin and pro-
grew of the Eastern question. It was attempted to be
shown that the object of Russia was to protect the Christian
religion in Turkey. That was the ground taken by 31r.
Cobden, and it was on that ground that he said England
ought rather to join Russia in effecting such an object.
(Laughter.)
A Oarertamew on the platform said that was not the
argument of Mr. Cobden.
Mr. SPURN said that he had read the various reports of
Mr. Cobden's speech, and the conclusion he drew was that
which he bad stated to the meeting : and be was etresgth-
ened in that view by the analogy which Mr. Cobden en-
deavoured to establish between the interference of Russia
in Turkey and the interference of England with Tuscany.
(Hear.) But it was clear that the religious ground was
put forward merely as a cloak to cover the attempt of Rus-
sia to acquire pollute' preponderance. (Hear, hear.) The
Turkish government very properly refused to submit to the
demands of Russia. The question was then referred to the
representatives of the four Powers at Vienna, and the
result was the production of a note which would have
given to Russia all that she originally demanded—
(hear, hear);—and showed that the diplomatists of
free governments were no match for those of the
northern despot. Well, then, Russia had poured
thousands of troop into the Danubian Principalities
by way of taking " material guarantees" for the
rejection of Prince Menchikoff's demands. (Cheers.) This
was to all intents and purposes& declaration of war let Rus-
sian diplomatists and writers say what they would, and the
British government were only playing into the hands of
Russia by recognising ix that act of hers anything but an
act of war. (Loud cheers.) Ile did not think he need all
score to justify the language of the resolution he had read.
(Hear, hear.) But there was no doubt POMO difference of
opinion as to the exact position which England ought to
assume. Mr. Cobden put forth flee areuntenta against
England going to war with Russia or giving assistance to
Turkey. One of his arguments was, that they
ought to have clean hands themselves before they
fell out with Russia on this subject. This seemed to
him to be the argument of a hypocrite. (Cheers.)
Ile did not mean to charge Mr. Cobden with either hypo-
crisy or cowardice, but when n man of his intelligence and
character condescended to use such an argument, he was

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MI dmaging hie awn bilk position. (Hoer, beet.) U. but ibis be brow. Aug He etestitutfes of die elks required
very i
kiu,„ it !hi], seldom interfered with clean hands. much reformation. Having alluded to the eirenlaues of
LI,: t
.at was so reason why they should nut make a begin- bribery tickets in Guildhall during an election, Mr. Jones
glee iif interfering with clean bands. Then Mr. Cobden exhorted the • itMens not to deplore the absence of hankers and
as,,it:.at they were not bound by treaty to interfere on be. , Bret clam merchants from theireorporation. From what he
14,;( al Turkey. Admitting that to be so, it was no reason ! had seen of those claws he did not think there was any-
spo, .ti ii r. it they had a part to play in the East, far their ;thing to regret in their absence. Corporations were intended
go. ~,,,esrust (Hear, hear) No oat would deny the 1
to represent the poem's of handicraft men not Is rrrrr try,
',ill ul war. but there were greater evils still. ,Ileer, hear.) and therelore he would advise his fellow eitiz, no to look to
jj %ore wee unhappily to be a war, he could only hope that titernselvis, to see that tradesmen suprorted their own nutc-
as/lit b the last, and put an end fur ever to the struggle ; peadeuee, and did not sell false jewellery by mistake—(e
im„„,,, deoputisna anilditierty—beteesMtyranny sad dcmc- I laugh)—and then they might tit pend upon it that London
y, (Omen) would resume its proper position, when the opinion ul' Lin.
Ur. Eel' seconded the resolution. He denied that Ido would be the opinion of England.
lark,; was in a state of decay as had been stated. Ile , Mr. WALTER (spectacle m iker) advocated the extension
Waved dist Turkey would be able to meet the dilfizulttes 1 of municipal regulations and control to the suhurtion dies
04 dawn by which she was surrounded if she h.l fair trice. Ho condi not take a ride for Ws miles from the
, ii,, , alio it was the duty of this country to see that she , bridges wit'out paying two or three shillings toll. lie also
Bail fair play. (Hear.) He thought they wire hound to ' complained that within the city, drainage hail nut been at.
Moist Turkey Bast as they were bused to assist a man who I tended to, baths and washhouses had not been erected, nor
was as the point of being robbed by souther. But it was , had libraries Men established f..r the ben, fit of the poor.
psid they should be all men of peace. To be sure they . Where were their parks also fur the promotion of the public
should Ise all mea of peace and cbristiaos else. But there' health? (Hear, hear.) He acknowledged the former me-
lees • gr. at thtfereace between pear and submitting to - vices of the Landon corporation, but of late yea.. tetra had
„miry. The mistake which the Peace Conference made `barn sad shortcomings. For three reasons he gave
was in suppasing that all the world were Christians. If , his hearty support to the inquiry, and hoped that the
shey were all Christians there would be no w er, but so long 1 livery of Loudon would give the commi.siouers
e they wire not all Christians there woul Ibe war. Ile , every a.sis'aoce in their power. (Cheers.) lie hoped
dc.,,uigut it would be better for the Turks it Eneland lad not i further, that the inquiry would be a searching one, and
laterteted at all, fur then the people of Turkey would have that metros would be taken to adapt the corporation to a
sista is defence of their rights, and would have eiv, n as- I railroa I age. II it took twenty years to In Ike a wide
sistar.c., to the people of Hungary and the reop!e ut Poland street, there must surely be something wrong in the system.
esh i were ready to rise on Weil( of their litre . (::leers.) ! (Hear, hear.) Ile wanted to see tor: yor fifty millions ci-
lia Citticitent said that the meeting, he observed. i pealed in the metropolis, so as to make it a city of which
lustily ewer, d when allusion had been made by the lest `they might all be proud, and in which they might live
er Aker to Hungary and Poland. But who let the liras !se theist injury to their health, and nut to have the great
sans into ilungory ? Their own government. ("True " towns—such as Manchester and Liverpool, surpusing and
01 ii true.") Who let the Russians into Poland ? Their over-riding the metropolis of the country.
can government was the aseessio of Poland. (Hear, hear! Mr. G. S. CAUMIN (cutler) was rejoiced that the electing
Woo let the Ituotians into the Danubian Principalities: hod been called, and hoped that it would he attended
The English government. (Hear, bear.) And why was with beneficial results. With respect to the administration
Ur It was because of the system of secret diplomacy of justice he believed that the corporation would come out
seder which the public affairs of this country were con. of the inquiry unscathed, as he could not imagine anything
ducted Let but this system le put an end to, and the leAter than the manner in which the aldermen as unpaid
people of England would no longer %omit to such a state magistrates administered justice at the city police offices.
of things. Many false statements had been made few ct• He duo thought that the presence of the same aldermen on
ism turkey. Turkey was a rising and a powerful etate. the beech at the O.d Bailey acted as au admit:able check on
iVithin the het 21 years she more than qu torupled her the judgee, sad be only wished that the system was more
commerce and doubled for revenue. (Hear, Mar.) That generally emended. There was another branch of the
was more thou could be said of any other country. inquiry, however, in which much reform might be
Turkey was more thou a match fur 'Wear*, it erected—he meant the City revenues arid their mode
she was left alone. Hut her steam was kept down of oulleetion. A great deal of money was collected and
by England till the boiler was at bursting point. (Cheers.) very little was dune, but he fear, d that they
It was nut from the weakness of 'turkey, but trotn het could not hope fur great or important results from
stn oath, that she was iii her press at position. The Rus the lab toe of the commissioners, secieg that their
Oililf occupied the Danubian Principalities fifty times he- commission was only for a year, and wuald be
fore, but it was only because the Turks were now felt ul eiheusted in June nest, while, in as tar as he
vigour and strength that she could not do so now with jut- knew, no active steps had as yet been taken. So much
posit; any lung: r. (Hear, hear.) It was said that 'turkey . was there to be done, that he feared the shortness of time
qrse only waiting fur the assistance of England. Ile should would render practical results unatteinahle.
lilt to know when England had waisted Turkey ? It was The resolution was then put and agreed to with one
a i.. to say that England had ever assisted Turkey. (Hear, dissentient.
hest) It was a lie to say that England ever assisted any Mr. MASTORS moved, and Mr. SMITH seconded a resolu-
nano'. (Hear, hear.) Talk of England's clean bands. It thin, adopting a requisition to the Lord Mayor to convene
wood take an ocean to wash them clean. Ile would give a common hall, to see how beet the commissioners could be
thaw a piece of news which be had received only within the assisted in their inquiries.
lest two hours, namely that the Sultan re fused their Atter a few observations from Mr. CAlinnT in opposition,
peuteetion. (Cheers. A Voice called oat for—" Three this motion was also carried ; alter which thanks were voted
deers for the Sultan," which was heartily responded to.) by acclamation to the chairman, and the proceedings ter-
Me wished that cheer could be heard by use Sultan on the Initiated.
beaks of the Bosphorus. A great ueal of lb•
evil which arose In reference to the Eastern
amities was in coosequeoce of the ignorance
Ts whieb they were kept as to their important interests.
If they kept interfering as they had done in the east, the
fault would be that they would be at war with France Le-
k,e one year. (No, no.) Ile would entreat of them to
thine of their position and their responsibilities. 'airy
should recast themselves as a nation, for the evils cf slavery
would fall on themselves it they were not eapabie of accept-
ing the oesaltir aof freemen. (Cheers.)
The eneiltnesr then milled on Mr. Cartwright to ad-
dregs the meeting, but a all was also. made by • I age part
of the audience for Mr. Bronterre O'Brien, which was the

serasion tor a great deal of uproar, and led to an interrup,
lion of the proceedings for a consider...l:4e time.
Mr. was at length allowed to address the meet-'
jar. sad pat tirward sentiments similar to those which he
pee utterance to in the Notional Hall on the previous
nicht.
The Floatation was then put and carried unanimously.
Mr. G. H. MutsiA proposed the Lem resolution, to the
effect that thr mutant end iq stigmatic aggregates, of Russia
▪ bet neighbours were sot only a matter of mucous as
Europe, but to Engliusd, and required the greatest vigilance
es the ;Art of this country.
Mr. JULIAN HAIIMIT liatelidttd the resolution, which

wed.
Mre. Cosserr proposed the next resolution, to the effect
that ibe system of secret diplomacy was calculated to mil-
ks,' the people, and only enabled the cabinet to assist
foreign despots, whilst professing seal fur liberty at Isom,
Mr. ELT sec.inded the resolution, which passed.
Mr. SAVAGE prop/red the adoption of an address to Lord
Clarendon, which embodied the 'pita of the foregoing rim-
Latium, which was a:ao carried.
The inciting then 'operated, after passing a rote cf
thanks to the chairman.