The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-17 00:00:00

MOH wATEB, AT LONDON BEIDGIrm

TIM DA/ —Morning 29 min.after 2 i EvEning49min. aft. 2
To- irnauow Morning 8 cain.after 3 j Eveuiog 2kimin.aft.

THE WEATHER.—Sua Onme, May. 17.
THERMOMETER, IN TEE BRADZ.
53—highest since noon yesterclAy.
44 —lowest this morning and during the night.
56—this day, at noon.
BAROMETER, 2998.
WrxD, N.W.—Light, with sunshine, heavy clouds, and
some rain.

,
Atm

LONDON, THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1855.

When, on the death of the late AUTOCRAT, the
present CZAR wended, without opposition, the
throne of All the Russias, it was by many persons
considered Unit the chances in favour of a; just

and honourable peace had greatly increased. We
were not, however, of the number. Altkough
well aware that ,the new Dianinox had, while
Cezaxewitch, been distinguished for the moderation
of his views—that he had been opposed, ab initio,
to the war in which the country was engaged, and
that he was regarded as the head of the peace
party in Russia—we did not, therefore, found

any very sanguine anticipations-on the fact of his

accession. We explained that, although he migh

have desired, he had not the power, to abandon
the aggressive policy that had. so long been main-

tamed by his predecessors, or to assent to
such terms as rraig,ht produce a _ permanent
and honourable peace. Although nominally
AUTOCRAT—although his will was, theoreti-
cally, the supzeme , law. of Russik—he felt
that he was practically placed under the control

of his ambitious brother and the old Muscovite
party, and that resistance to their authority
might bring not only his reign, but even his life,
to a very speedy conclusion. NICHOLAS was
really supreme. He had the poiver, if he possessed
the will, to conzlude peace on the basis of " the
Four Points," but whatever might be his indi-

vidual feelings, he dared not oppOse " the power
behind the Throne, more potent than the Throne
itself," and he felt himself, as he really was, but
a mere puppet in the hands of e formidabh
clique who regulated the foreign as well as the
domestic policy of his Empire.

The first-fruits of this untoward state of affairs
was the Proclamation of the newt CzAR, and his
emphatic pledges of adherence to the policy in-
augurated by PETER, and steadfastly and inces-
santly pursued by all his successors,and his solemn
declarations that he would strike off his hand be-
fore he suffered it to sign any article derogatory to
what he was pleased to designate the rights and
authority of Russia." The unblushing repudia-
tion, by the Russian Plenipotentiaries at Vienna,
of the principl© of " the Third Point," which
constituted one of the fundamental bases on which
the Conferences were held—the insolent attempt
to prove that the integrity of the Sublime Porte
was as greatly threatened, by the fleets of France
and England in the Euxine as of Russia, and that
the maintenance of the latter with unabated power
was indispensable for the protection of the SULTAN
and his dominions—was the second act of the
serio-comic drama ; and the third has just &om-
menced in the "resignation" (!) Anglese—the dis-
missal and disgrace of Count NESSELRODE.
The wily old diplomatist has certainly not
merited this scurvy treatment from his Mas-
ter, or even from the War party in
Russ
If really desirous of peace, he cora-
'Pletl4lY Succeeded in concealing his aspirations.
The various
circulars he has from time to time
issued the Specious fallacies and sophistical rea-
soning he forward the cordial manner in
which he defenae,ib;
tile aggression which had taken
place, and asserted the eight., of Holy Russia to
absorb and annex the
Ziguring territories,
might have disarmed
Muscovite party, and
won their forbearance, if
nottheirenergetic sup-
port. But no. He was suspected
friendly to peace, and that was sufficient to devote
beilr)g.
him to destruction. AI. Daotrerr /It
trYs had
" resigned" because he had been induced to listen
to prop sill his Imperial llaater cow.,
dered attowly Ali inconsistent with the
koemar of ramie. M. Di NESIMILRODE
'll3w boon vistimised, meraly as a counter-
poise, to show that 111.15Sia also condemns
the`too
coneitictiory policy evinced by her
Minis-
ter with She
respect to the late Conference—
wishes to afford a fnrther proof a her unflinchinr
determination tonmintaia her unjust
and to wage "war .the
knife" against all who
dare to oppose liar ukases:
Be it SO. Wit accept t - U 45 'additional evidence

of her reckless audacity with perfect equanimit y
We rejoice to find that the perverse obstinacy of
the enemy has prevented, and will prevent, the
disgraceful and temporising truce to which our
own Ministers, in their shameful truckling to
Germanism, were willing to assent—that Russia
Ina' saved England from the scandal to which her
own Government would have consigned her.
This will be a useful theme for Earl GREY and
Mr. MILNER GIBSON. They have this additional
evidence of the moderation and pacific intentions
of the Power of which they have thought proper
to become the advocates. If any lingering delu-
sion could still remain in any unprejudiced mind,
it must now be entirely and permanently dis-
pelled. The true designs of Russia may now be
thoroughly understood, and every true-hearted
Englishman should be prepared to act accordingly.

It was a remarkable coincidence that on the
very day on which this extraordinary event oc-
curred, the revival of HMTRY VIII. should have
produced the mimic representation of the fall of
a Minister who once wielded uncontrolled autho-
rity. How fully would Count NESSELRODE have
assented to the doctrine that
" Corruption wins not more than honesty."

How thoroughly would he have appreciated the

sentiment,
" Still in thy right band carry gentle peace
To silence envious tongues"—
and how energetically would he have exclaimed
with the disgraced WOLSEY—
" Had I but served my God with half the zeal
I served my King, he would not in mine age
Have left me naked to mine enemies."

As might have been anticipated, Sir WILLIAM
CLAY'S Bill for the Abolition of Church Rates

passed through its second reading last evening
by' a considerable majority. The verdict of the
House is so perfectly in harmony with the feelings
and wishes of au overwhelming majority of the
population, and 'is so thoroughly warranted by
reason and justice, that we feel disposed to do
little more than congratulate the House upon it.

To enter on the arguments adduced in favour of
the Bill seems superfluous. We may, however,
'notice a few of those advanced against it, and an

incident or two of the debate.

The objection of the mover of the amendment
to the bill—viz., that he could not trust the
maintenance of the fabrics of the Church to the
voluntary liberality of the people, because, though
he admitted private liberality had done much in
the way 'of erecting new fabrics, there was a sort
of pride and gratification in erecting a new build-
ing wholly wanting in keeping up the repairs of
an old—was sufficiently amusing. What little
sting there might be in it had certainly no force
for the supporters of the bill. If voluntary libe-
rality, as we are disposed to believe the Hon.
Member felt, has delighted most in now buildings,
it is because in them they are not consigned to
dead-and-alive rectors or drowsy vicars, but to
something approximating more closely to an effi-
cient ministry and a useful pastorate. The re-
marks of the seconder were still less apropos.
Whether the rural churches in this country, on the
passing of the bill, would obtain no voluntary sui:-
scriptions or not, reference to Wales might dis-
creetly have been omitted. With the Hon. Gen-
tleman, we are perfectly prepared to look upon
the idea of voluntary contributions or of pew-
rents in Wales as a perfect farce. Neither
source, we are quite satisfied, can be depended
on, as things are. A people carrying their
love of nationality to a fault, contribute to a Mi-
nistry that taxes their power, of gravity to an in-
credible extent every Sunday in life by preaching
discourses in a language that is neither Welsh nor
English, but a vile composition of their own.
Such a people pay for a Ministry like this !—a
people, too, with a National Church liberally en-
dowed, but whose funds are swallowed up by use-
less dignitaries, chief among whom are Bishops
that don't know the Welsh for 'tie word Gospel !

A perfect farce, indeed.
The argument of the succeeding speaker, that
people would not give to the support of churches '
unless they had a voice in the administration of
the funds, is at once confuted by facts. In more
than one large religious organisation the people do
give, and give most liberally, without such voice.
As to the scandalous character of pew rents pro-
vision is made, as far as possilo.le,in the bill for
free sittings for the poor ; and :if the advocates of
Church Rates cannot conscientiously desist from
robbing Dissenters on this groutnd until a subei-
tute is provided, we recommend. to them as that
substitute the enormous wealt'o. of the Church.
The poor most unquestionably should be better
looked to than they are, and if Voluntaryism
won't reach them—hitherto it has been their best
and truest friend—let the superabundant wealth
of the Church be directed in that direction.

The absence of a Cabinet Mi'ctister in the early
part of the debate, and the speech and part
taken by Lord PALMERSTON, when he at
last condescended to make his appearance, are not
astonishing—they are merely di sin-editable. What
cares this Adonis of seventy for the religious
scruples of the thousands of industrious and self-
. respecting Dissenters and Noaconformists, who
contribute so largely to the -pith and sterling
worth of the nation 7 Something less than for
my lady's cousin's cousin's 'eldest son. He
opposed the bill. He could understand, for-
sooth ! and respect (?) the aversion of Dissenters
to pay for the administration of the Church wor-
ship ; but he could not equally understand why
they should object to the maintenance of the
churches which were national property ! Could
lie understand the matter better, it might be in-
quired if a house in which he had a share was
(beneficially) alienated from hint, and he was com-
pelled to aid in keeping it in repair, and that
house occupied by one who ha a always been his
enemy ? But indifference on subjects of
this importance, and sophistrites equally impu-
dent and transparent, must always be looked
for so long as lordly cliqueis on and incompe-
tency are in the ascendancy. That pernicious in-
fluence has utterly spoiled statesmen even less
plastic than Lord PALMERSTON.
Referring once more to the bial, we Nnust ex-
press our earnest desire that the majority on the
occasion may prove an augury of similar success in
the Lords. If their Lordships understand their
duty and interests, we have no cause for appre-
hension—not even from the Bench of Bishops.

---
THE MORTAR VESSELS.—The Handy and Firm, mor-
tar-boats, have gone into Portsmouth harbour to receive
eight inches additional false keel and forefoot. They
are also to he supplied with lee-boards, and we should
think with bilge chocks, and a small windlass or capstan.
DEFEAT OF MINISTERS.—In one of the largest houses
which ever assembled on a Wednesday Ministers wers
beaten on a question of great importance. That ques-
ti" was, the abolition of church-rates. The second
it otfieei,,i:ercoint-Tarteea,s!.. esT.eciallY
reading of Sir William Gay's Bill for the abolition of
2,11.17-'etoon9exions. imposts was carried by a mijority of
1 Russell, and other
against it.- This was a great triumph to the opponents
Tzutpertzser.
as Lord Palmerston opposed
u dinv, in an energetic speech, while Lord J.
1 THE MiSnnirLWE
remembers of the Gov.ernment, voted
',niters thernselv • lay must be as much g ratified, as Mi-
feat.:--mol
aie3ara.ug be annoyed, at their signal de-
, birthday being In consequence of the Queen's
In
on the 19th, which is out
kept ti'lli
wen, to the -members of the
y), :}l,4egnificent hajl, is appointed
of term, the usual feu'
Middle Temple,!hl theist
very large muster of the
for the, 24th (Thursday),
bar and the students Is expueeta
of her Majesty's
bra.te this auspicious event. ea:- talc., place to eels-
Ministers are expected to honour tehe flstival by their
presence.