The Sun.
London, England, 1855-06-06 00:00:00

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LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1855.

The debate has been again adjourned, and very
properly so. It is right that Honourable Gentle-
men should have the opportunity of explaining
the reasons by which they are actuated in giving
the votes by which their future reputations will be
materially affected—it is right that the several
constituencies should become thoroughly acquainted
with the views and feelings of their respective
repstsentatives, to ascertain how far they are in
accordance with each other, and to determine on
the propriety of a renewal of the important trusts
now confided to their • ‘rge—it is right that
foreign nations should uhderstand how fully and
completely the public opinion of England is in
favour of a vigorous and energetic management
of the War, and against any dishonourable
or premature peace. The opportunity thus
afforded has already induced Ministers to assume
a very different tone. They see that the slightest
appearance of vacillation or of dissension in the
Cabinet would be the signal for their immediate
downfall. They recognise the necessity, and
submit with a tolerably good grace to their
new characters of "English, and not German,
Ministers." Since the auspicious day on
which the Right Honourable Gentleman the
Member for Bucks handed in his notice there
has been a complete change in the Ministerial
tone, and their doings have been in accordance
with the new light that thus rapidly broke in on
them. The War has been vigorously pushed on.
Important successes have been achieved, and, better
still, the Conferences of Vienna have been finally
closed. That incubus is no longer permitted to
paralyse the national energies, or to afford hope to
Russia. Prince GORTSCHA.KOFF'S new " dilatory
plea" for time to obtain instructions from St.
Petersburg was peremptorily rejected, and the ne-
gotiations having been thus broken off there is no
shadow of a pretext for asserting that the Western
Powers are still bound by "the Four Points," and
not entitled, if they can do so, to curtail the ter-
ritory and diminish the power of Russia elsewhere
than in the Black Sea ! Austria must, therefore,
declare herself. Her condition cannot be one of
" expectancy." The closing of the Conference
has brought matters to a crisis. She must either
take an active part in the War or be contented to
sink into a position scarcely more respectable than
that to which Prussia has been consigned, and
from which she will find it difficult, if not impos-
sible, ever to extricate herself.
In addition to these very important results,
we find the Government now desirous, or
at least professing to be desirous, of assuming the
initiative, and taking the opinion of the House
and country on the entire negotiations. This
" dodge," however, will not now answer. It is
" too late." Like the German Powers they have
been lagging behind the progress of events, and
find that they have waited too long ; that the
course which would once have been hailed with
rapturous enthusiasm, and entitled them to the
thanks and gratitude of the people, is now re-
ceived with contempt, because they did not lead,
or even proceed pari passu, with the public
opinion, but waited until no alternative remained
but vigorous and energetic proceedings, or a
speedy and disgraceful expulsion from office.
The Hon. Gentleman the member for the West
Riding has completely sacrificed the scanty rem-
nant of the high character he once possessed.
Rix name once stood high in the opinions of the
people. The most implicit faith was reposed in
the patriotism and integrity of his motives. Now
the " 'hag been stripped from the quondam,
idol, and the "baseness of the metal" of which it
is formed is now clearly revealed. The copper
peeps out on every Bide.
It is not silver, nor
b
even " British metal:" but the most worthless
mixture. On this point there can be no mistake.
The reputation acquired in fighting the battle
of the People against the powerful oligarchy has
been forfeited by becoming the champion of des-
potism, the advocate of injustice, the supporter of
the degradation of his country. While Mr.
.COBDZIsT restricted himself to fiscal subjects,
"while he strove to overthrow the monster griev-
ance that afflicted the great body of the people,
he wag, indeed, a great man. His simple, un-
adorned eloquence went to the very hearts of the
Polgel azui many were prepared to follow in any