The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-03-10 00:00:00

EVENING EDITION

ar An Evening Edition of the NORTHERN DAILY
TIMES is now _Published every Afternoon, at Three o'clock,
containing the Markets, together with all the News of the
Day, up to the hour of going to Press.

WILL POSITIVELY CLOSE ON SATURDAY NEXT.
FIRST EXHIBITION of the FRENCH
SMAD'CHOOL
LLE ROSA of the FINE ARTBS
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'S including

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Is NOM
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B. FRODSHAM, Secretary.

Z4e RorOern 4ituto

MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1858

IT is curious to observe the.changes which come
over the public mind with regard to the probable
result of the Peace Conference. When any intelli-
gence respecting its 'proceedings are allowed to
leak out, it certainly favours those who believe
that peace will not be obtained, and that the war
will be renewed with increased vigour. When all
is• silent, and secrecy becomes invulnerable, and
we hear nothing of what is said or done in the
congress, peace is immediately set down as certain.
Thus—

" The dominating humour makes the dream"

of eseh succeeding day. Nothing, as yet, has been
divulged which can be relied upon, and yet
public opinion has undergone as many changes
as though the Press were reporting its proceedings
in the ordinary way. This, surely, is not what
anticipated when it was resolved
to close the doors of the Conference
against those most interested in the subjects
it was to discuss. It is possible, however, that
the excessive impatience mystery has engendered
throughout Europe, will lead to its sittings being
terminated sooner than if publicity had been
given to the negociations. The Plenipotentiaries
of the Allied Powers will scarcely submit to de-
lays or evasion. The course they have to pursue
lags, we may be sure, been distinctly marked out,
end little left for the Russian Envoys to do beyond
Raying, yes or no, to the propositions submitted
to them.

It is likely, therefore, that a few more meetings
may settle the entire matter. If we should be
fortunate enough to hear that the peace of the
world is to be restored, we shall be the first to
exult in the triumph of reason over law-
less ambition and unbridled passion. There is
nothing to be gained in these days by bloodshed
beyond an addition to afflictions which are
prostrating the energies of every state in Europe.
There are no longer conquests to be made which
can add dignity to a sceptre, or give majesty to a
people. tlf humanity can bear up against its
natural burdens, and meet the endless calls upon
its generous sympathies, and more holy attributes,
we may all be satisfied. Political passion and
prejudice may demand more than the labours of
the Conference can secure to civilization, but
moral: - and our cooler senses prompt us to accept
anythir-z. short of absolute dishonour. Those who
bo- ) opinions cannot be accused of doubting
Ta( • le issue of the pending deliberations,
Si Lv because they desire war, and look to
ti to. .inuance of bloodshed as a means best
obtaining political ends. When Peace

ley will be found as ready to accept it as
tl • c: era to lend their aid in the prosecution of
tr• ,:intest.

For ourselves, it would be superfluous to say,
that whatever will tend to a revival of trade, to an
fic,mease of employment, and activity in all those
pursuits which give to this locality, and the country
at large, a full measure of prosperity, would be the
greatest boon that could be conferred upon us.
But what becomes of all we feel or think in the
face of diplomatic intrigue, and Russian perfidy??
We are not dealing with a stranger, while we have
a Muscovite in hand. We cannot forget what the
Cz,kas of all the Russias have ever been; the
depth of the games they have played ; and the
extraordinary success which has attended their
acquisitive, and predaceous career. The history
of the last half century solemnly admonishe s us
to be more than usually dubious, and all the more
on our guard, as the enemy approaches the
consummation of his vast designs on the indepen-
dence of Europe. If the Conference was called
upon to deal with trifles, the cry of England
would be one incessant—bah ! But a question
of peace or war is no little matter that lies in a
nut shell, that can be taken up, or laid down, as
philanthropists may wish, or moralists would
command. We have no ItOBESPIEBRES in this age,
but we have ROMANOFFS, despots, and autocrats
without end, backed by hungry aristocracies,
whose cravings after " glory " cannot be appeased,
and who thirst for those empty distinctions which
bloodshed only can confer upon men whose intel-
lectual qualities are below mediocrity.
Throw all these elements into the scale, and
weigh them against the chances of peaces
are we to rely on for the world's tranquilityand what
beyond
a dastardly trick or a miracle. Englishmen can-
not get Russian, Austrian, Prussian, and German
rulers to think or feel as they do. An English
politician may make an excellent CALMUC, but we
can never make a Muscovite statesman a friend to