The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-31 00:00:00

v.., , •
Sun

LONDON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1855.

The year which is now rapidly drawing to a
conclusion, and which in a few short hours will
be numbered with the past, is, perhaps, the most
extraordinary that has been witnessed by any
person who cannot draw on the experience of at
least fifty summers, and recall the stirring events
of 1814 and 1815 to his mind. Then we were
engaged in a great war against a truly noble
adversary. The fate of Europe—of the world—
hung suspended in the balance. The enemy of
forty years since, is now our faithful, efficient, and
cherished ally. The Bonaparte dynasty has been
restored to the Imperial Throne, and the nephew
of the hero, whom our fathers strained every
nerr• to hurl from his elevated position, is re-
garded with love, respect, and admiration by
every true-hearted Englishman.
Public attention has been mainly directed to the
scenes in the Crimea, but political, fiscal, finan-
cial, and commercial events, of no ordinary mag-
nitude and importance, have occurred, which
occasioned great excitement and interest for the
time. We have had sundry Ministerial changes.
The Premiership was for a season literally going
a begging. It was finally accepted by Lord PAL-
MERSTON, who, by extraordinary tact and ability,
but still more by the steady and unflinching
resolution to maintain the honour and interests of
Great Britain, and to reap the legitimate results
of the sacrifices to which the people so cheerfully
submitted, contrived to overcome difficulties that
might have appalled men of less energy and de-
termination. These difficulties were far greater
than was generally supposed. It wag not merely
the pressure from without that the new Premier
had to withstand ; there were also internal dissen-
sions and secret influences which it was indeed
difficult to control. But, notwithstanding every
obstacle, he has, by the force of genius
and
steady determination, strengthened and consoli-
dated his power, and placed it on a firm and, We
trust, durable basis.

At the close of the preceding year considerable
hopes were entertained by some credulous politi-
cians of an early peace, in consequence of Aus-
trian intervention and the Treaty of the 2d of
December, to which FRANCIS JOSEPH was a party,
and which seemed to show no loophole for evading
the obligations thereby assumed. We, however,
were too well aware of the insincerity and dupli-
city of the Power with whom we were dealing to
place any reliance oa ita fidelity. We pointed
out the laxity and doubtful nature of the contract,
and warned our readers not to be misled by any
vain anticipations as to Austria taking an active

part in the War, or forcing unpalalabla terms

on time twin despotism at St. Petersburg.
Lord ABERDEEN was, however, willing to
hop s against all reasonable probability. He was
so ffilfully blind that there was no necessity for
ex:t rao rdinary skill to deceive him or those who
ad ,J),1413d his views and carried out his policy. A
dam ►nd for further time by Prince GORTSCHAKOFF
to c C nsider " the Four Points " which had been
for warded through the Cabinet of Vienna was
the wefore readily concede'', and when tho then
Cr AR accepted the terms, and a conference was
ar ranged to carry them into practical operation,
joyyous paeans were chaunted for the rapidly
ap ,proaching peace. Be it remembered that
it was not merely " the Points " that were
aureed to. There was also a very clear and
distinct explanation added, and the AtiTe.•
GRAZ` consented to open negotiations on the
Allies' interpretation of the Four Points. We
' have seen how that apparently candid profession
was subsequently falsified ; how Austria, too, was
found wanting when the time had arrived for ful-
filling the promises she had made. Procrastina-
tion was palpably the object of both Powers, and
that was achieved to a great extent, little being
done to carry on the operations of the War on a
suitable scale.
While these matters were pending our august
Ally adopted early and energetic measures to
ob-
tain the sinews of war. At the close of 1854
',notice was given that a loan of 500,000,000
francs, or 20,000,0001. sterling, would be re
cruired. The Senate and Corps Legislatif promptly
and gracefully responded to the Imperial requisi-
t ion, and plenary powers were given to enter into
t'he necessary arrangements. The EMPEROR did
not, ilowever, go to any single capitalist•: or body
of cr:pitalists. Ho appealed at once to his people,
stating what he required, and offering fair and
reasonable terms. There was no petty higgling,
no attempt to get more than would be accepted.
Each man knew exactly what he was to give and
to receive. He saw that there were no middlemen
to absorb the profits, and that every applicant
would receive exactly the same treatment—the
only privilege granted being to the less wealthy
subscribers, who inscribed their names for less
than 500 francs, or 201., of Rentes. These were
to receive the full amount of their subscriptions
before anything was given to those seeking more
weighty investments. The result was that the
full amount was absorbed, and the privileged sub-
scribers were compelled to abate some 42 per cent.
on their claims—the applications under 500
francs Rentes being for no less than 836,000,000
francs, while the total amount of all classes reached
the gigantic sum of two thousand one hundred
and seventy-five millions, or 87,000,0001. ster-
ling !

Just before the meeting of Parliament the sym-
pathy and indignation of the people were excited
by the accounts of the fearful sufferings of our
gallant soldiers in the Crimea, who were simulta-
neously enduring intense toil and severe priva-
tions. The carelessness and apathy which led to
such deplorable results provoked well-merited
censure, and the ABERDEEN Ministry reached the
acme of unpopularity. Lords PALMERSTON, CLA-
RENDON, and JOHN RUSSELL, and Sir WILLIAM
MOLESWORTH being the only members of the Ca-
binet that di l not fall under the general condem-
, nation. On the day of meeting Mr. ROEBUCK at
once " took the bull by the horns," by giving
notice of a Select Committee to inquire into the
conduct and management •f the War. This de-
rived additional importance from the fact that
before the appointed day Lord Joux RUSSELL
abandoned his colleagues and resigned his
seat in the Cabinet, on the ground that
he could not resist tke demand for in-
vestigation. This strange proceeding, which
was strongly animadverted on by all the Minis-
terialists and " waiters on PROVIDENCE," sealed
the fate of the Joint-Stock Administration, and
rendered the result of the approaching discussion a
foregone conclusion. Mr. ROEBUCK, though suf-
fering severely from illness and physical incapa-
city, discharged his duty with that "pluck " for
which he has been so long distinguished; and, on
the division, his proposition was affirmed by a
majority of 157 in a House of 457 (including,
tellers). This, of course, which was accepted by
Ministers as a vote of censure, led to the resigna-
tion of Lord ABERDEEN, and the Earl of DERBY
was sent for by her MAJESTY and entrusted with
powers to form a new Cabinet.
The Noble Lord at once entered into negotia-
tions for that purpose, but failed in the attempt.
He felt that the co-operation of Lord PALMERSTON
was indispensable ; but he committed the grave
mistake of wanting Mr. GLADSTONE and Mr. S.
HERBERT also to take office. In Lord PALMER-
STON'S case, too, he did not tender the particular
office indicated by the voice of public opinion. He
was to be Leader of the House of Commons—Mr.
DISRAELI having withdrawn his very powerful
claims to that honourable post—but ho was not
offered the Secretaryship of War, for which he
was se peculiarly qualified. This grave mistake
led to the termination of the negotiations, and
Lord DERBY was compelled to announce to ker
MAJESTY the total failure of his efforts to form a
strong Government, capable of meeting the emer-
gency.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL was next applied to, but
a few short hours showed his incapacity for the
task. None would trust to the guidance that had
so recently upset the coach, and he was also
obliged to confess his inability to perform the twit
assigned by his Sovereign.
Lord PALMERSTON'S turn at length arrived.
The Noble Lord speedily discharged the duty, and
a list of the new Cabinet was submitted for Royal
approval. But it was nothing more than a mere
"shuffling of the cards." The condemned pack
still remained. GLADSTONE and GRAHAM retained
their posts, while HERBERT was elevated to the
Rome Secretary the
responsible position of FT
blood "being the appoint-
only "infusion of new
ent of Lord PAN3fURE as Secretary for War.

This clinging to the rump of Aberdeenisna Would

have irretrievably ruined the prospects of the pAL..

IIERSTON Administration; but, fortunately for kiin,
the Aberdeenites, puffed up with pride and vanity,
kicked at the ROEBUCK inquiry and resigned their

places, because the new Premier would not stake

tho existence of his Ministry on opposing the in•

vestigation that had been carried by a majority o
more than two to one of the popular representatives

Having thus fortunately got rid of GLADSTONE,

GRAHAM, HERBERT, and CARDWELL Who stuck

to his party till the last, and steadfastly resisted
the blandishments by which he was assailed), the
Ministry was again modified. Sir GEORGE GRRY
was transferred from the Colonies to the Home-
Office, Lord JOHN RUSSELL, who bad already
started for Vienna, as Plenipotentiary on the part
of England, being appointed to the Colonial De-
partment ; Sir GEORGE CORNEWALL LEWIS being
made Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Sir
CHARLES Woon transferred to the Admiralty, the
Presidency of the India Board being conferred
on Mr. VERNON SMITH. There were other

minor changes—none of which were very well
received—the most unsatisfactory being the trans-
fer of Mr. FREDERICK PEEL to the Under Secre-

taryship of War. Su:th was the state of affairs
when the Parliamentary caroPaigain commenced