The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-14 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARI( 14, 1855.

While, as we yesterday stated, we folly recog-
nise the many important advantages attendant on
the appointment of Lord Joint RtmsEm, as
Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain, at the
new Congress of Vienna, we cannot avoid
observing that there are points on whioli we aro
not altogether satisfied, and which require pecu-
liar vigilance en the part of the Parliament and
people of the United Kingdom. It is especially
incumbent on public journalists, en those who
have undertaken the onerous duty not merely of
providing accurate and trustworthy information
for the nation, but of directing public opinion in
the right direction, of showing whero there is a
screw loose, or a defective arrangement, but also of
indicating impending dangers and suggesting suit-
able remedies for possible as well as recognised evils.
The appointment of Lord JOHN RUSSELL is
valuable, because in the first place it sends a man
of European reputation, and one who has on sun-
dry occasions spoken, very decidedly on the neces-
sity for carrying on the War with vigour and
energy, and who even resigned his situation as
Ministerial Leader in the representative branch of
the Legislature, and that during a crisis of n o ordi-
nary importance, because his colleagues would not
altogether adopt his views, or reach the, stan-
dard which he had set up.
On the other hand, it cannot be altogether for-
gotten that he was a leading member of the
Government whose shortcomings were so unequi-
vocally censured by the House of Commoiss, and
that he himself only escaped a similar visitation
by his speedy ezrit from the sinking ship. He
was, in fact, in the position of an approver, who
obtained impunity by " splittitly" on his com-
panions, and giving ample information to the
detective officers respecting the proceedings
of the remainder of the gang. We may par-
don but we cannot admire such a person, and,
as we have already stated, must closely scrutinise
his future proceedings.

Besides, we know that ho has given an extra-
Ministerial opinion as to the propriety of not de-
priving the CZAR of any of his territorial " usur-
, rations"—or "acquisitions," if that should be
deemed the milder and more Parliamentary de-
signation of Russian plunder. He would certainly
be considered a most lenient judge, who, is sen-
tencing a convicted robber, or, at least, a noted
receiver of stolen goods, should give impunity
for the past, provided he entered into his own
personal recognisances for the future; and although
the victims of his cupidity were in attendance,
and ready to identify the stolen property, should
refuse to restore that of which they had been so
nefariously deprived. Lord JOHN ItussELL stands
in such a position. With a full knowledge of the
Autocratic antecedents, he promulgated, in a pri-
vate rather than in an official capacity, this
' eitravrdivary and uu wet ilmd. sob of ud
declared that the power of Russia "ought not to
be diminished," or any of her dominions taken
away !

These are matters that cannot be neglected.
The ex-President of the Council has a glorious
position before him—if he fulfil. the expectations
of every true-hearted Englishman, and prove him-
self to be deserving of the national confidence.
But, on the other hand, should ho fail, the conse-
quences may prove to be exceedingly serious,
not only to the country, but to himself. We
are quite ready, should he evince the energy of the
olden time, when he became the Parliamentary spun-
sor of the Reform Bill, to " forgive and forget,'
or at least to " condone," all previous offences.
But should he still protect Russia, truckle to
Prussia, and connive with Austria—should he
"promulgate the doctrine of finality" in foreign as
in domestic affairs, great will be his fall—the
greater in consequence of the expectations excited.
If ho tumble into the pit dug for his reception,
he must do so with his eyes open, and after ample
warning. He is about to treat for peace with a
despot, who, by way of " a taste of his pacific
disposition," makes the most onerous requisi-
tions on his miserable serfs, virtually calling
out the entire male population of his
J Empire, pressing every man capable of bearing
arms into the ranks. Whatever may be the
sayings of the Russian Plenipotentiary, the
doings of the Power which ho represents are suffi-
cient to excite a wholesome distrust in any unpre-
judiced and independent mind. Again he has to
deal with " Clicquot," with " the angel of peace,"
the brother-in-law of the culprit, who wants,
although duly challenged, to obtain per fas aut
nefas a seat in the jury box ! The views of PREDE-
RICKWILLIAM are, unfortunately, but too notorious.
It is perfectly clear that his only objects are to shield
NICHOLAS in misfortune, or to help, aid, and
assist him in prosperity. Open enmity would be
far better than such deceitful and pretended
friendship. Against the one we could easily pro-
vide--the other would be far more formidable.
But more onerous than any of these difficulties
will be the task of keeping Austria to the " collar"
—of stimulating the reluctant auxiliary to do its
fair share of work. Hitherto it has unquestion-
ably acted better than Prussia, but still it has
sedulously avoided committing itself. It has,
like ancient PISTOL, uttered "prave ords," but
unfortunately its acts have not corresponded.
With Russia, Prussia, and Austria, to watch and
deal with, the Noble Lord will have no sinecure on
his hands. It is indeed his last chance—the
opportunity that may make or mar his fortunes.
If he deserve it, ho will regain the confidence
of his fellow-citizens--the prestige once attached
to his name will be restored ; but should he fail
—should he indeed disappoint those who still be-
lieve him to be trustworthy---the calamity will
be irremediable—the name of Lord JoHN RLs-
SELL Will be erased from the catalogue of British
Statesmen.

of the Clergy of the Established by which a section
The ingenious tna,n
a ltiiished Church seemed at
one time likely to render.
cation something more the: meeting
of
e°11"-
aTfhorm has, to all
appearance, failed of success,
pre-
sented to the attention of the Upepgelirelintir3n
Convocation, on Thursday last, viz., WhZe °f
no the House should seek permission of herielrio:
JESTY to proceed to the preparation of measuies
for remodelling the Convocation, so Dalt° adapt
it mere closely to the alleged wants of the Church
at the present time, led, as a matter of course, to
a debate, and, we by no means regret to add, to
nothing more substantial and mischievous. The