The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-23 00:00:00

RESTORATION OF POLAND.

BIR AINGHAM, THURSDAY.
A meeting, presided over by the Mayor, was held in
the Town-hall here last night, on the subject of the re-
storation of Poland as an independent nation. The hall
was immensely full ; and after the proceedings had been
opened by the Mayor, the following extract of a letter
was read from Mr. Scholefeld, M.P., excusing his ab-
sence :—" But I need not say that if you think any
assurance of my sympathy with the object of the meet-
ing can be useful, you have my full authority to say how
heartily I join in the proposed movement. Every day
but strengthens my conviction that not only is the re-
suscitation of Poland preliminary to the successful con-
duct of the great war, but the best; if not the sole
guarantee of a lasting peace.
Mr. T. C. SALT moved the first resolution, recognising
the importance of the restoration of Poland as a nation.
He rejoiced (he said) to find that the hearts •f his
fellow-townsmen were still warm on the subject of
the restoration of Poland. There were many per-
sons in this country who wanted peace at all cost ;
to such he would say,—no pea ;e at the cost of murder ;
ne peace at the cost of eppressioa ; no peace at the cost
of the liberty and the oppressed of nations. Russia had
taken Poland, invaded Prussia, and laid bands on Fin-
land. Me believed that there was so much baseness
in the Government of England, that if Russia seized the
Isle of Wight, England would submit to it. The nation
felt that the Government had betrayed them ; and they
now came forward with blood and treasure, proclaiming
that a barrier shall be put to despotism, and that nations
shall be free. This was a mission from which we ought
not to shrink ; but whilst our army, even in the midst
of the greatest extremity, never turned their backs upon
the foe, it was for us at home to take care that all our
sacrifices of blood and treasure was not made in vain.
He asked what all this contest was for—whether it was
merely for a bit of parchment treaty, that would leave
us where we were ? Let who would be sent to Vienna,
there was no man, if the voice of the people was distinctly
heard, who would dare sign any treaty that would betray
the best interests of England. (Cheers.) What were
they but the interests of Poland The first clime of
Russia was the destruction of Poland, and establishing
on its ruins despotism. Our first crime was standing by
and looking on. ([Tear, hear.) We stood while Poland
was oppressed, Finland taken, and now Turkey was
attacked. We were roused to action ar .ast. Russia
must not only be stoppesd, but she must be driven back.
Poland must be restored, Finland given back to Sweden,
the Caucasus have independence, the Black Sea free,
and the Danube open. These were the objects, or ought
to be the objectr, of the war, and he hoped the sword
would never be sheathed until they had been attained.
(Cheers.)
Mr. J. M. LANGFORD seconded the resolution, which
was seconded by Mr. J. W
RI"; and carried unani-
mously.
Mr. Aid. BALDWIN moved that a petition to both
Louses of Parliament, praying for the restoration of
Polish independence and the formation of a Polish le-
gion, be adopted, and be entrusted to Lord Harrowby
and Mr. Muntz for presentation. He observed that
although a man of peace, yet, ars we were at war, let
us try to make the best of it. That, he, conceived,
could only be done by restoring Poland to its place
amongst the nations as a barrier between the aggressions
of Russia and the western nations of Europe.
Mr. T. H. GILL seconded the resolution. In the
course of a most fervid address, he warned kis auditory
against placing too great confidence in Lord Palmerston,
and he reminded the meeting that the Whigs had never
been friends to the Poles; that in 1794 Pitt, the younger,
would have helped them but for Fox and
his fri ends ;
08L8:4eoeden,rd Palmerston and the
and Persia, were
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The meeting was subsequently addressed by Mr.
eFnoyroeyi Whigs.g n were
Secretary, hostile;
Laba, a Pole, and other gentlemen.
The resolutions were carried unanimously, and with
much enthusiasm, and the petition to Parliament pray-
ing for such measures as might tend to restore Poland
to a state of independent nationality, wax unanimously
adopted.