The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-04 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1855.

The Peace rumours are gathering strength as
they proceed, and have already attained sufficient
magnitude to influence materially the operations
in Capel Court. The recent interference of Aus-
tria is asserted in the most positive terms, and it
is also said that the Cabinets of Paris and London
are ready again to listen to the syren voice by
which
they were formerly betrayed. That
Russia would
now be willing to assent to the
terms so contumeliously rejected last April
is quite possible. That she would gladly post-
pone the final decision to a more convenient
season, when her strength had been perfectly
recruited, and possibly the
entente cordiale
between the Western Powers in some degree
weakened by her intrigues, is by no means
probable, and there can be but little doubt that
she would find a willing coadjutor in Austria,
ready to advance her wishes or her interests in
auy manner that did not involve herself in very
serious consequences. But, as we pointed out at
the time when the Four Points were ventilated at
the Conferences at Vienna, the demands of the
Western Powers were even then wholly inadequate
to the exigencies of the case. No adequate secu-
rity would be afforded for the objects for which
the Western powers had been compelled to go to
war. We should have remained contented with
the promises of a Power whose re,ard for its word
might be assimi!ated to the Punic faith, which
obtained so unhappy a
once notoriety. We
might just As well discharge a first-class malefactor
on his personal recognisances, without
requiring
material guarantees," in the shape of substantial ,

bail for his appearance to abide his trial, as to
trust Russia where her interests were concerned
without better security than his plighted word,
or the provisions of a treaty only binding on

paper.
But if these conditions were justly considered
inadequate in April, what could be thought of
them in December At that time Russia had a
Black Sea Fleet, which, although reduced in
strength and skulking in harbour, was still an
existing fact ? Where is it now ? Sunk be-
neath the Russian waters, without the slightest
chance of ever being recovered for the use
of its quondam masters. It had there a strong-
hold, a " standing menace" to Constantinople and
to Europe, which for six months had braved the
efforts of the Allied Powers and maintained its
prestige of " impregnability." What is its present
condition ? The town itself is in the hands of the
besiegers, who have full power either to retain or
destroy its gigantic works at their mere will and
pleasure. The northern forts, still occupied by
Russian troops, cannot materially detract from the
value of the acquisition, for so long as the south
side remains in the hands of the French and
English it is utterly useless as a port or station
for Russia. The Sea of Azoff was then intact.
No attempt had been made on Keitch, and ample
supplies and the various munitions of war could
be obtained from that quarter. How different is
its present state ? How clearly has it been shown
that it lies at the mercy of the smaller
vessels of our fleet ; that, in place of being a
help to the Russian position in the Crimea, it
would rather be a source of additional embarrass-
ment—a vulnerable point, on which very serious
blows might be inflicted.
Kinbourn, too, has passed without difficulty
into our possession. The portals of Nicolaieff
and Kherson are our own. The Russian arsenals
and granaries are at our mercy. The argument that
the Allied successes did not entitle them to impose
onerous terms is therefore completely taken
from the Russian diplomatists. Every day's delay
must increase the advantages on the side of the
Western Powers, and, of course, enhance the
stringency of the conditions which it was declared
should abide the events of the War. The circum-
stances then being wholly altered, so must be the
bases of any possible arrangements. Russia and
Austria must both endure the penalties of their
former misconduct in the distrust with which
their professions must necessarily be received by
those who had received such unequivocal evi-
dence of their faithlessness.
'But, under any circumstances, the first ad-
vances towards a reconciliation must be made
by Russia. It was to her obstinacy that the
breaking up of the former negotiations was alto-
gether ascribable, and according to every existing
precedent she must herself take the initiative be-
fore any re-opening of the discussions. If we
suffered ourselves to be again bamboozled by
Austria, we should ere long be told that we bad
been compelled to sue for peace to Russia—
and even though her material strength might be
diminished, her political influence would remain
unaltered, a matter of vast importance, when we
consider the effects which it has produced on the
German and other European Powers. That must
be greatly reduced if we wish for permanent
peace. It cannot be so if we accept the proffered
mediation of Austria.

The Peace folk have had their public meetings
to attack the War, under the guise of attacking
the treatment of the Jersey exiles ; surely the
people themselves, who care for the honour of
their country, will have their meetings to demand
the immediate liberation of Colonel TUBE, and to
demand, too, ample reparation for the insult.
No mere honour the War can bring us but will
be blotted out for ever if we cannot enforce on
Austria immediate respect for the British
uniforin. We stay not now to argue the case.
It is an infamous abuse of terms to call Colonel
TUBE a deserter, but let that pass ; it was a gross
infringement on the civil rights of the provinces
and the SULTAN to arrest even a deserter on Wal-
lachian territory, but let that pass too. The
man wore the BRITISH UNIFORM—the man was
excuting a BRITISH MISSION. He was seized by
AUSTRIAN bullies, for we dare not disgrace
the name soldier ; his British uniform
was torn from his back by AUSTRIAN HANDS.
Will the nation tolerate this ? Will it
be satisfied by polite diplomatic iutercourses over
an open insult? Will it bear the infamy of even
appearing to stand a contemptuous kick, from that
split-up bankrupt, dare-not-fight, Russia-helping,
Ally-cheating, concordat-signing, patriot-hanging
Government ? Is the basest of the base to cut
down an unarmed English gentleman in Italy,
and now to glut her coward but insatiable revenge
by seizing an unarmed British servant on British
service ? For ourselves we would rather pay. fifty
per cent. Income Tax than endure it at the hands
of Austria. No power would submit to it,
and no power ought to submit to such a thing
from us, could we have done it; but to submit to it
from Austria into what lower cesspool of national
ignominy could we submit to be thrown ?
If there is to be any diplomatic quibbling, let
it be after the prisoner is liberated—after he is
placed in Wallachia again, and employed on the
errand from which he was taken. His uniform and
mission were prima facie evidence of his British
position. That was the ground on which Austria
was bound to act, and in the wrong sense did act.
Had she felt herself aggrieved she ought to have
complained. This would have been but the merest
courtesy to a friendly nation.. Will the Coburgs
require us to put up with such unendurable
malice as this? Are we to become the very laugh-
ing-stock of Europe in order that the Duke of
BRABANT, and his father, and perhaps some other
folk, may not be annoyed ? Can it be that he
who saw British rights to be vindicated by a whole
being
TuRR, first an exile for
DON PACI-
FICO,
squadrwoinn.
an officer of the British Crown,
liberty, then
innotthat questionable
think Col.
worth a squadron too ? Will Lord PALMERSTON
be brave at the Pincus, and tremble before
Trieste ? We will hope, however, that Mini-
sterial organs speak by their own, not
by Ministerial, inspiration. We repeat, the
Government will be covered with utter dis-
grace if, as quickly as the telegraph could flash
it, they did not demand COL TURR's liberation ;
and if en its refusal they were not prepared to
dismiss the Austrian Ambassador and tecal our
own. Count CORONINI has played his brutal
antics in the poor Provinces long enough ; if we
cannot expel him for this, we have, indeed, lost
all claim to be called a first-rate power. Only
think of the Russian, French, United States, or
even Prussian uniform, thus treated—dare any
Austrian bully to have tried it on ? The under
cowazds know too well whom the master coward
fears. We leave it, however, with the country.
We have Sir ROBERT pEBL for witness that the
People's Press has kept the Government to its
duty hitherto ; we trust it will succeed this time
also.

Our noble ally, the constitutional King of SAR-
ha5 this day paid his eagerly anticipated
visit, t 4 the citizens of Leirduri, id, everywhere

received with enthusiasm, has left behind him, in
the breast of every spectator, an intenser sympathy
in his career and a profounder interest in his
personal welfare than before. Notwithstanding
the drizzling dulness of the atmosphere, and the
slippery muddiness of the pavements, eager crowds
were congregated in various degrees of density all
along the line of route, for hours, to greet him ;
and, as the character of his reception demonstrated,
bore the infliction with an endurance that ad-
mitted of no deterioration of temper nor diminu-
tion of cordiality. The cause of liberty and
civilisation was to be honoured in his person, and
right loyal was the homage paid to it. Curiosity,
doubtless, had some effect in drawing together so
large and miscellaneous a multitude; for as long as
regal authority exists there will be found admirers
of Kings, and so long as there is suffering there
will be found admirers of fortitude. But far beyond
♦ulgar curiosity and domestic interest—though the
spectacle of a young king in whose halls the shafts of
death had fallen so fast and thick, and who had dis-
played such manly fortitude and resignation after
each successive blow, was sufficieit to draw num-
bers—far, we say, more influential than these was
the love of constitutional freedom, and admi-
ration for the man who had dared to confide in
the intelligent loyalty of his people, and in their
strength and the strength of right to do battle, along
with France and England, against that aggressive
power with whose goodwill Europe would have no
People. These considerations it was that, to the
gentler expressions of feeling, added the British
cheer that, _bounding and echoing along the line,
startled from its perch the dust accumulated on
the burly figures of Gog and Magog in the Guild-
hall of the City of London.
The reception at the great Civic Hall was not
less satisfactory. Though our City authorities
may be unable to equal the artistic splendours of
the Hotel de Ville, they can command a sumptuous
magnificence not out of keeping with the national
character, and what they could command in
this way had evidently not been stinted.
The scene was decidedly imposing, and the
meanest of the dramatis personce seemed to
be invested with an accession of dignity befit-
ting the occasion. The Corporation of Lon-
don, in fact, manifested by their bearing and the
character► of their welcome that though the old
civic tree needs much pruning it is sound British
oak at .the core, and sympathises still in every
fibre with the cause of freedom—of that well-
tempered liberty in whose bracing atmosphere
manhood calls forth demigods, and commerce sows
the seed of nations, and dowers her followers as
with the wealth of princes. When the long-
postponed day of reform arrives, the reception
accorded by the Corporation to the Emperor
NAPOLEON and the King of SARDINIA. will not be
forgotten.

It hag certainly been a proud day for the
young KING-a day the remembrance of which
will, it 'is to b 3 hoped, cast a ray of light
over the depression of many a pensive hour,
and infuse resolution in periods of anxiety and
trial. A proud day, indeed for the freest
citizens in the world, men and women, whose
cordial acclamations neither rank nor wealth
can purchase, spontaneously and enthusiastically
recognised his claims to their gratitude and esteem.
A proud day, for side by side, with his and our
noble ally, he may challenge the autocracy of the
world to command so magnificent a reeeption. It
was a great thing for an ally to witness on Satur-
day that exhaustless arsenal of the thunderbolts
of war at Woolwich, but the spectacle of to-day
must have inspired profounder interest and satis-
faction—for the people who created it gave
ample pledge that for the cause in which he is
embarked nothing they can reasonably be called
upon to contribute shall be wanting. The King
of SARDINIA, in brief, will return to Italyrofreshed
and invigorated, and around him the hopes of
Italian reformers will assuredly concentrate with
increased confidence.

THE SARDINIAN NATIONAL HYMN.

CAMPBELL RANSFORD AND CO., NEW BOND-STREET,

This national air appears at a seas pnable moment,
and deserves commendable notice. There is nothing
especially striking in the composition, but the sim-
ple modulations are impressive and pleasing, and
moreover very easy. May we venture to express
an opinion that a collection, of the most celebrated
national airs would, at this period of universal ex-
citement, be very acceptable, and if the music were
accompanied by a short relation of the history of
each melody the interest would be greatly increased.
Perhaps some spirited publisher will act upon this
hint.