The Sun.
London, England, 1855-08-17 00:00:00

TrIE SUN, LONDON FRE3AY EVENI..?#,ITO-, AUG! TST 17, 1855„

the enemy are depressed and panic stricken
by their easy conquest, and more will bi-
achieved than even the most sanguine
can venture to anticipate. But there must be no
delay nor procrastination. The time for nego-
tiation has gone by, that for action—incessant.
indefatigable action—has arrived. The success
must he not only steadily but rapidly followed
up ; and the Governments of England and
France must show their unflinching determina-
tion to spare no efforts to support the operations
of the Fleet, and to render their achievements com-
pletely decisive as to the War. It may not be
pleasing to Prussia that we should do so. Austria
may be astonished at our proceeding so rapidly
while she is willing to mediate. But it is the
course that will induce them really to strive to
bring about a permanent and honourable settle
ment of the disputed questions, however distaste-
ful to Russia, and diametrically opposed by the
traditional policy inaugurated by PETER, and fol-
lowed by CATHERINE, and ALEXANDER, and
NICHOLAS !

From the situation of Sweaborg it was manifest
that it could only be attacked from the sea—that
no land forces could possibly co-operate in the on-
slaught. It consisted of a number of small rocky
islands, strongly fortified, and communicating
by bridges or galleries the one with the other.
The Russian Fleet lay in the heart of this series
of forts protected on every side. That fleet was,
however, transferred to Cronstadt, where it re-
mains as a portion of the prize for the additional
work of the fleet. Sweaborg was also the defence
of Helsingfors. The only channel by which the•
capital of Finland, the emporium of the trade of
Northern Russia, could be approached, lay
directly within the range of its 800 guns of heavy
calibre. So that, in fact, until Sweaborg was dis-
mantled, and its fire silenced, nothing could be
even attempted against Helsingfors. The protec-
tion, however, is withdrawn. It now lies at the
mercy of our Fleet. It is for the Admiral to de-
cide whether to strike or to spare, and we cannot
for a moment doubt his determination. Tho
policy that spared Odessa to be the scourge of our
troops in the Crimea, to endanger their existence
and the whole objects of the War, cannot he so
perversely pursued, as to act as a protection to
Helsingfors, now that Sweaborg has been demo-
lished. The course adopted towards Helsingfors
will probably decide the policy of the Scandi-
navian Powers, and render the Swedes, Norwe-
gians, and Danes either firm friends and faithful
allies, or worse than doubtful neutrals. It is an
important element in the calculation that must
decide our course of action in the Gulf of Finland.

It is more than probable that Helsingfors has al-
ready been bombarded ; and if so, that it has been
demolished. Day by day we may look for this
cheering and satisfactory intelligence, which will
prove the earnestness of our Government. But
when that has been accomplished—what next ?
There is still more to be done. The Russian fleet
still skulks securely under Cronstadt. It must
be destroyed in its fancied shelter. And it can
be so. Sweaborg and Helsingfors will then no
longer exist to threaten the Allied Fleets, in the
event of any unanticipated reverse. They will
be completely our own, to act as places for refit-
ting any casualties—a source of strength instead
of weakness, a cause for confidence instead of
terror. The mortar-vessels and gun-boats may,
as we have already said, run down the coast of
Finland, and take Cronstadt in the rear. That
is the vulnerable point—the heel of the Northern
Aenruns. Thence can the fleet be destroyed,
while the men-of-war watch in front to deal with
any sortie on which they may venture. Nor need
. the bombardment be restricted to a single point.
The iron shower may he hurled from every side
:end on every position, perplexing and terrifying
the panic-stricken foe. It is there that the co-
operation of land troops would be peculiarly valu-
able. They could land in the rear, at the " vul-
nerable spot," where an onslaught has never been
thought of. We have seen the vast importance of I
such aid at Bomarsund, but it would lead to even
more astonishing results at Cronstadt—the proper
point of attack being selected. A land force, with
every 'facility for transit from place to place,
would he of immense value. Twenty or thirty
thousand men, who could be landed at any point,
would create work fur five times their number of
Russians, who could not tell where the impend-
ing blow might fall. The men could easily be
found. If England could not spare them they
could be obtained from France. Our faithful
ally would rejoice to participate in that which
would, indeed, be a " heavy blow and
great discouragement to Russia." A single
word to the Emperor NAPOLEON, and any num-
ber of trained soldiers will be forthcoming. Let
that word be spoken. A golden opportunity is at
hand. Our dearly-beloved SOVEREIGN will soon
be accepting his hospitalities ; she will be at-
tended by many of her Ministers ; and the deci-
sion may be arrived at within a few hours which
will crush the aggressive propensities of Russia,
and produce a glorious and permanent peace,
which it will be beyond the power of the auto-
cratic brigand to disturb or endanger.

Whatever may be thought of the leadership of
such individuals as Messrs. COLLETT, HART,
GEORGE THOMPSON, late of Tower Hamlets, DAVID
URQUHART, PA SSMORE EDWARDS, WASHINGTON
WiLics, and others, most of whose names are un-
known beyond the precincts of the Peace Society's
committee room, their tactics are worthy of atten-
tion. In one point they are agreed—" Down with
Lord PALMERSTON ;" in another the men who chiefly
pull the wires are also agreed, to put a wet blanket

over the War, and to extinguish it as soon as they
can. The truth, which gives plausibility to their
language, is that which Mr. PUNCH has pictured
ror us this week ; and if these gentlemen want a
fl to to hang from their committee-room window,
the best device will be the "Ministerial White-
bait Dinner," and the best motto that which
appears beneath it, "I shay, ole Fellah—
,vhat a jolly lot of humbugs we are."
We have ourselves never concealed our belief
that Lord PALRMESTON is too much of an
aristocrat himself, and too much at the mercy of
ecret, but overbearing German inflw.nce, to carry
on the War with real vigour. We have never
failed to demand definition in the place of that
wearisome cant Phrase ; but catch Lord PALMER
STON in a. definition ! He sold Poland, to our pre.
sent-eOBF2 twenty years ago; he quietly acquiesced
in the Russian conquest of Hungary, only the
other day, after having teased Austria a little,
without meaning the least harm to the sacred
cause of deSpotism; to both of which delinquencies
we owe the burdens and losses of this War. This
inconvenient truth is now brought to the surface.
It was whispered when PALMERSTON first came
in, but popular hopes made it useless to
attempt working it then. Now, however, after
time has shown that his Lordship can talk of
vitrour, and yet continue the old course of
'',':;lair about a 3L and honour4bic
t as its basis L Four Pointy
rid accept - •.`ae
viii ;ti
eve.A MinistJrial papers now laugh at—the
It is difficult indeed, MU for us, to iD3pugu
Wartime tibBZ)ii.the'tBh7suidebsiuo-71).°Atcvmel:RlYsTtoox.attack the.

the premises A* the resolutions which were carried
'IT meetings of seven or eight thousand persons
tt Birmingham, and by no despicable numbers in
St. Martin's-lall. Thousands of hearty friends of
the oppressednationalities were there ; the sen-
timents most 3nthusiastically applauded are proof
of that ; in ore meeting at Kennington, both the
resolution and the amendment were heartily car-
ried. The pace men are in this way making
use of the Var men practically in favour of
Russia, just As the Squires used the Chartists
lgainst the Arti-Corn-Law League. The trick is
t clever one. How are we to escape the dilemma
they put us in? You wish Poland to be restored,
they say, and you want a Polish Legion to be
raised, hoping it will be the inauguration of the
desired deed cf justice ; but, they ask, do you
believe Lord PALMERSTON and Prince ALBERT
will ever alloy the restoration of Poland ? While
a German Prince must be the virtual Prime Mi-
nister of the day, can the constitutional Prime
Minister content that Poland shall be free ? En
other words, can he consent to the release of
German poter.tates from the Russian Protecto-
rate ? and to beloved " Preussen and Oesterreich"
losing their little mouthsful of Poland ? We
are compelled to shake our heads. Hence
they wind up Would you then raise au
unhappy Polish Legion merely to shed its
blood in fighting for those libertieS for
others of which they are never to taste them-
selves ?

The questioners seem to have no flaw in their
arguments, yet we are satisfied they aro practically
wrong. The error is precisely that against which
they inveigh. Do not, they exclaim, put the Polish
Legion into bands which will use it for their own
purposes only ! We reply, do not, you friends
of Poland, put yourselves into the hands of the
friends of RusSia ! The Peace-at-any-price party,
and the pro-Russian party are using you for their
unworthy objects. No benefit to the Poles can re-
sult from the course into which the peace men
would dupe you. That is certain. They do not
wish it should. What care they about Poland ?
She grows no cotton for Manchester, and her
slavery is a great " honour " to the honourable
nation, for whose undiminished honour the ABER-
DEENITES and RUSSELLITES are SO sensitive. Coin-
cidence with such men ought to make friends of
Poland suspect themselves in the wrong.
We hold, therefore, to thorough-going honesty.
Demand distinctly all that is right for the junc-
ture. It is right, and acknowledged by those
who have lately met, that Poland should be free ;
right that it should be the bulwark of Europe
against the vaunted but odious barbarism of Rus-
sia ; right that Poles of all men on earth should
enlist under every banner unfurled against Russia
or Austria ; the brave BEM and scores of noble
Pules have verified this. Even if they recovered
not their fatherland it would be right for them to
join in every attempt to humble its wicked oppres-
sor ; it is right that Russia should lose the ser-
vices of the 200,000 Poles whom she has forced
into her armies, and that the cause of European
independence should have their aid. All-this is
unquestionably right ; but, a second thing is also
right, that this patriot aid, and the whole con-
duct of the War, should be in thoroughly trust-
worthy hands. Then demand this also. Separate
not what in this contest GOD has joined together.
Poland abroad, and men at.home who care for
nationalities, not for crowns, are the two -things
wanted. Let every meeting insist on both. If
Lord PALMERSTON can't be trusted, then, in, the
name of justice, . turn him out.. We, at least,
shall not weep. We believe he could do all we
require—if he would. That he will, or that he
will boullowed, if he would, we much more than
doubt.

What, then, is the one thing wanted ? W e
reply, for the nation to awake and do its duty.
ABERDEEN and his coterie have faiIed—PALMER-
STON and his Whigs have failed—Lord JOHN and
the visitors at Chesham-place have failed—Lord
DERBY, in opposition, has failed—the House of
Commons. _has failed. Are we then helpless be-
yond the little charmed circle ? Are there none
among us who in office would " screw up their
courage to the sticking-place, and would not
fail ?" All England knows the contrary. The
country denounces routine. Why, it is the
country's own tolerance of routine in selecting a
Cabinet which is the immediate cause of all that
has gone wrong. Base foreign' policy, and
shamefully wasteful administration are both due
to this one cause.
We would warn Lord PALMERSTON, meantime,
that his delicacy to Austria and to Russia may be
continued too long. Although cunning men are
prompting the people to close the War because
PALMERSTON will neither tura out nor do
the people's work, that silly trick cannot mis-
lead honest Englishmen long. They will never
consent to a shabby winding-up. They will think
it infinitely more reasonable to reject . any
Minister than to reject a Polish Legion. Were
England pulled to-morrow for Poland or PALMER-
STON, the result of the ballot would shake the
throne of every European despot..--PALMERSTON
himself would vanish for ever.

The Marchioness of Ormonde, the young marquis,
Lady Mary, and Lord James Butler, returned to Kil-
kenny Castle from Garryricken on Monday.
The Earl an,l Countess of Beshorough will join the
party about for assemble at G ,rdon Castle about the end
of the month, to partake of, the hospitality of the Duke
and Duchess of Richmond.

Lord
_Paget arrived. at Malta, on the 7th inst., on hie
way home trom the Crimea, invalided.

The lady and family of Lieut. Colonel Harrison, Roya
Artillery, have left Kilkenny, for London.

The Hon. Mr. Wandeßforde, Lady Carrick, family,
a•id suite, have left Mount Juliet for Coolulu Lodge,
Dunmore East, county Waterford, for the bathing

Reagan.

By the death of the Duke of Somerset, Lord Palmer-
ston will, for the first time, have to advise her Majesty
as to the bestowal of a blue ribbon.

It is reported (~ays the Portsmouth, Guardian) that
Sir Francis Baring is about to accept office under the
present Government, and will consequently be obliged
to appear &fain before big constituents.

His Excellency the Bavarian Minister has taken a
house at Bllghton for the season.
Lord and Lady Brougham are receiving company at
Brougham Hall.

Sir William and Duly Molesworth have left town for
their seat, Pencarrow, Cornwall. The Right Hon. Bart.
returns to London in a few days, to resume his offiCial
d sties. La•'y Molesworth will remain at Pencarrow till
the end of September, to receive a succession of visitors.
Among the recent visitors at the Royal Victoria
Hotel, St. Leonards-on-the-Sea, have been the Marquis
aced Marchiotiess of .Abercorn and Lady Louisa Hamil-
ton, Baron-ss James Rothschild, Lord and Lady Foley
and the Hon. Miss Foley, Lord. Dufferin, Sir A. and
Lady Agnew Sir Ejward and Lady Buxton, &c.
Mr. H. Bell, one of the candidates selected for the
Civil Service of the East India Company, is not, as has
been stati,d, a member of Exeter Ca►llege, Oxford, but a
graduate of Clare Hall, Cambridge.
The Marclii,mess of Ely, who will be the Lady-in.
Waiting in attendance upon her Majesty during the ap-
proaching Royal visit to the French Court, is supposed
to have been appointed for this high duty in consequence
of her personal friendship with tie Empress of the
French.

KEW GARDENS.—A statement has appeared in the
public papers to the effect that Kew Gardens are open
the whole of Sunday. Such is not the case. They
were formerly closed all that day. Sir W. Molesworth
opened them to the public from two o'clock till six ;
they are now kept open till seven, and will continue so
•luring the few remaining Sundays before the shorter
,ays commence.

ENERAL O',DoNNELL, of the United Sate army,
arrived -in Limerick this week from America, on 3 visit
to hii iklajt,r-Getip.ral Sir Charles O'Donnell,
Ka.. It is 38 sears.since the above veteran was onn-a
visit to hiS n,,ar relative, the late Colonel 113nry A.
().1)'611°11, C• 13., in this city. Of thi; ..).ricient and di:-,-
anguished Celtic family there happen to be now four
general officers in the service of America, Great Britain,
Spain, and Anatria,--Linicrick Oliroack,