The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-10 00:00:00

SPIRIT OP THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

(From the Times of this day.)

There seems more and more reason to apprehend that
the support of Austria, for which we have suffered so
much and made so many concessions, will, after all,
fail us. Must we, then, forgetful of all that we have
demanded, all that we have done, make peace because
Austria, after so many months of futile negotiation,
such vast preparations, and such imposing military dis-
play, refuses to support it the field the cause to which
she has repeatedly given her moral support and diplo-
matic assistance ? For her own conduct she will one
day have to answer, and sooner or later will doubtless
receive her reward. Let us leave her aside for the pre-
sent. and consider how far her apparent intention to
stand aloof from actual conflict justifies us in withdraw-
ing from our pretensions and negotiating an ignominious
peace. The first thing that strikee us is, that we com-
menced this struggle without securing the co-oneration
of Austria, confident in the might of the allied Powers,
and deeming it better to interpose an effectual barrier to
the threatened aggressions of Russia than: to wait till
we had spu'rred into activity the slow movements of a
Power beset with every species of financial difficulty,
and supporting herself with infinite labour by balancing
against each other the jarring claims and conflicting in-
terests of so many di-cordant and disaffected nationali-
ties. Had we known what we now know of the dis:po-
sition of Austria, should we in any way have altered
our proceedings ? It is certainly possible that we might
have objected to the occupation of the Danubian Prin-
cipalities by a Power so little disposed to aid in the
only measures by which those Principalities could be
placed in a state of permanent security. We might also
have paused in the expedition to the Crimea, bad we
known that Austria would have contented herself
with interposing her forces between the Turks and
the Russians, and so left the latter free to pour
the whole remaining strength of the army of occupa-
tion upon the flank and rear of the besiegers. But,
having taken these steps, and having now for sixteen
months stood the whole brunt of the war without the
aid of Austria, and, indeed, with that diversion in fa-
vour of Russia which the occupation of the Danubian
Principahties undoubtedly occasioned, we ask, with
much confidence, is there any reason why we should dis-
continue a war begun and continued without Austrian
co-operation, because that co-operation seems more dis-
tant and more unlikely than it did a', first ? Are we
prepared to admit that we were so rash and so fool-
hardy—that we so entirely miscalcuated our own force
and that of our enemy, that the aid without which we
did not scruple to draw the sword has now become in-
dispensable, and that therefore there is nothing left for
us but to beg permission ignominiously to sheathe it ?
What is this astonishing change which the 16 months
have brought about, that we should exchange our former
attitude of menace for one of crouching subserviency,
and, casting aside all self-confidence and self-respect,
abjure that noble part which in a moment of genuine,
but, as we are told, transitory magnanimity, we had
undertaken to play?
We have lost, it is true, by the disastrous effects of a
winter campaign, aided by the most murderous negli-
gence, some 20,000 excellent soldiers. The inhospitable
coast of the Crimea has shattered to pieces a consider-
able number of transports, which our commanders had
exposed to the storms of the Enxiue ; we have found
the climate of the East more pernicious than we were
disposed to expect to human life, and the Turks even
more helpless, and less able to provide for the wants of
civilised man, than we could have expected. We find,
in fact, that the greater part of our supplies must con-
tinue to be drawn from England, and that, if we wish to
derive any help from the country we come to defend, we
must provide roads, communications, markets, and con-
veyances entirely for ourselves. We have found moreover,
that the'seceond-rate States of Europe, in which class Prus-
sia must since the commencement of the present negotia-
tions and operations in the East undoubtedly be placed,
are far more overawed by the power and terrified by
the predominance of RtisSla than we had any reason to
imagine. It would really seem as if the frontiers of that
mighty despotism had advanced from the Niemen to the
Rhine, and that literary, refined, artistic, scholastic,
metaphysical Germany was content to smoke its pipe
and drink its beer on sufferance under the shadow of the
mgis of Slavonic power. Europe has tried to be Repub-
lican, and, true to the prophec3, of Napoleon, is going to
be Cossack.

We have not understated the' circumstances of the
present crisis. Nay, we would, if we cguld, put them
more forcibly, in order to rouse the a..tention of the
nation and its rulers to the gravity of the powion under
which those who involved us in this war aro now said

to be dreaming of a dishonourable peace. Any peace, \
under existing circumstances, which should not com-
pletely establish the ability of the Western Powers to
set a positive limit to the onward progress of Russia,
would be absolute treason and perdition to the cause of
liberty, jug-tice, and enlightenment throughout the world.
If the Western Posers are not able now to arrest the
on ward course of Russian ambition and rapacity it is
vain indeed to expect aid from any other quarter, or to
hope that what they give up in despair to-day they will
be enabled by any fortunate change of circumstances to
achieve to-morrow. The favourite maxim of modern
politicians,—" Reculer pour rnieux muter," has no appli-
cation now. We cannot hope for a more favourable
time than the present. Many circumstances might occur
which would render our position less imposing than
now, but none can be suggested with any plausibility
which would be likely to improve it. In the Emperor
of the French we have a faithful and an honourable ally,
but we have recently been reminded by a lamentable ie-
cident on how frail a thread an alliance rests which de-
pends on the life of a single man, and that man so daunt-
lessly careless of his personal safety, and so encompassed
by unscrupulous and inveterate enemies. From Germany
ten years ago we might have hoped something; now
she has not the heart to stand forth in her own cause
against her oppressor, and is quite as likely to resist as
to support those who have really drawn the sword in her
own quarrel. We need not mention Spain, which, habi-
tually without money, and deservedly without credit, is
an object of pity to every one, but of terror only to her-
self. Neither can we look to the American Republic
for aid in vindicating the rights of nations and asserting
the supremacy of justice. Let anyone read the letter
of the " States'-man," and say whether, under the nume-
rous and not rigidly consistent causes which he alleges
for a fact hitherto stoutly denied—the fact of the hos-
tility of the United States to the cause of the Allies—he
cannot trace a feeling only seeking for excuse, and ready
to find any pretext for believing England in the
wrong. Under such circumstances we appear to have
no choice. That which was at first merely a struggle
to prevent the Russians from occupying Turkey
and seizing on Constantinople has really become no-
thing less than a struggle for life and death, which
is to decide the question between the advance of
modern civilisation and its retrogression to a state
below that of the greater part of Europe in the darkest
period of the middle ages. It is vain to consider now
whether it would have been wiser to precipitate this con-
test, or to trust to the chapter of accidents to dispel the
dark cloud that is alreaey spreading over our heads.
The lists are prepared, and there is no escape for us ex-
cept by descending into them gallantly and fighting out
this battle as we fought out so many others with our
own good sword. Nor, if we can only prevail on our
statesmen and generals to look danger boldly in the face,
and act as men who hope for no success except in vic-
tory, have we any reason to tremble for the result.
Now that we thorougly appreciate aiid understand the
nature of the contet in which we are involved, we
have no reason t.i fear a repetition of Vie miseries of
the past year. Tents, arid food, and clothing were
wanting, and can be supplied ; in the spirit and coin a_~e
of our men and officers there is, happily, n thing to de-
sire. An abundant commerce fills our harbours with
ships and our mercantile towns with prosperity, and the
savings of the country double, according to ordinary
calculation, the extra expenses of the war. While our
enemy is driven to such straits that he is obliged to tax
at an enormous amount those very exports already bear-
ing so heavy a burden in the shape of a land transport of.
hundreds of miles, we find that our progress, though
checked, is not arrested, and that in the very midst of
war we are able to enjoy not a few of the advantages of
peace. History would present no parallel to the conduct
of a i ation which under such circumstances should re-
nounce the glorious career upon which she has entered,
and prefer the certainty of defeat by treaty to the almost
equal certainty of victory by persevering in war.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.

. .
Yesterday morning the household infantry of Gre-
nadier Guards were mustered on the Grand Parado,
Wellington Barracks, Birdesie-walk, St. James's Park,
and reviewed by his Royal Highness Prince Albert. His
Royal Highness the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, attended
,b 7
Captain Du Plat and a numerous staff; made a minute
inspection of the men and their arms and accoutrements,
which were found to be in a very Efficient state : after.
which Prince Albert addressed Sergeant Owen and Isaac
Church, of the 3d battalion of Grenadier Guards who
have returned from the battles of the Alma and Inker.
man, iii.the most escouragineand energetic language,
reminding them of the important services that they have
rendered, and the bravery they displayed in those me-
inrrable battles. The men appeared to feel deeply the
hon lir conferred by their Colonel, who left the
1 arade amid the hearty cheering of a numerous as-
semhlage. •
. The Cornwall sailing transport, Captain King, went
o land her
int') Portsmouth harbour yesterday morning
invalid soldiers. This vessel anchored at Spitthetacel
1 o'clock on Tuesday, and the steam
.tuog utatt2o
be • at 4 o'clock yesterday n:olrieuknoshe
was alongside
to tow her into
I ortsmouth harbour. At 6o c o
the dockyard jetty, and all expected to be landed and
forwarded to their several (I..eerteinaotvuanisu,
until
lt noll aor,realengkec.-
ments . were made for their m
Thus the invalids lost the train by which such unfortu-
nates are usually forwarded to Chatham invalids depot
(8.30 a.m.), and will not be landed until this morning.
The worste cases of wounded, about four in number, were
0 don stretchers to the General Hospital, Portsea ;
re Royalv Artillery were marched to barracks, and the
Guards left for London by the 2 o'cloCk train ; but there
was no general commanding the garrison or any staff

1 PRIG% SD. •

surgeon of the district to see to the landing and removal
of these poor fellows. -
The Falcon, 15, screw-sloop, COmmander Pullen,
which was despatched last week to the relief of the wind-
bound merchantmen in the Channel, returned to Spit-
head yesterday. The Magnet, steam mortar-vessel, was
undocked at Portsmouth yesterday, and will be rigged
and armed without delpy, for service in the fleet. The
new steam gun-boats, Cracker, Clincher, Fancy, and
Boxer arrived at Spithead yesterday- from Sheerness, to
await sailing Qrders for the Black-Sea fleet. SMI•T-Of
the ships' crews at Portsmouth were paid wages yester-
day.
A detachment of the 94th Regiment arrived at Alder-
shott Camp on Tuesday evening, to be there stationed in
charge to guard against fire, &c.
The sailing transport Panola, No. 71, 170 days from
Constantinople, arrived in Plymouth Sound yesterday
morning.•
A riot of rather a serious character took place on Sun.
day evening at Stonehouse and the west of Plymouth
between the ROyal Marines and the 21 Royal, Cheshire
Militia, originating in disputes at the beer-houses in the
towns. The Militia were drawn up in martial array to
the number of 200, and the Marines to ab.)ut 100, when
a fight took place which lasted some time. The Marines
were then reinforced, and during the progress of the
affray the combatants on both sides received serious cuts
and contusions. It was necessary to employ a picket
of soldiers from the garrison to quell this disturbance.
A court of inquiry has been assembled to diseover the
origin of these disgraceful proceedings.
Yesterday the new screw steam-transport Resolute,
buiit by Mr. John Laird, went into 'the Mersey. --She
is to sail this morning with 140 Sappers and Miners for
Kingstown, where she will embark 126 horses and have
eight spare stalls. She then sails direct for Balaklava.
The following steam transports are being fitted out at
Liverpool for the conveyance of horses :—The Armenian,
82 ; the Dodo, 104 ' • the Kangaroo, 158 ; and the As-
sistance, 154. The Oneida steam-ship, now being fitted
up at Greenock, will shortly arrive at Liverpool. Last
night 22 naval volunteers left Liverpool for London.

-The Royal Mail Company's steam-ship Medway, Capt.
Woolward, left Southampton yesterday with an entire
field battery of Royal Artillery, direct for Balaklava.
Thirteen medical gentlemen connected with the Turkish
Contingent have sailed in the Medway, and will be
landed at Constantinople.
The sailing transport Great Tasmania, five days from
Portsmouth, with a detachment of 1,000 men, under
command of Lord Alexander Russell, put into Plymouth
Sound yesterday afternoon in consequence of the appear-
ance of one case of smallpox among the Connaught'
Rangers.

It is intended to increase the land transport corps by
10 troops of 100 drivers each, 10 captains, 10 sub-
officers, 10 superintendents, 20 conductors, and 10 quar-
termasters, making a total, including officers, of 1,060
men.

Captain M. Adye's company Royal Artillery, under
the command of Captain Milward, has received orders
to proceed to Woolwich on Friday next to embark for
the Crimea.

The Earl of Cardigan, who left London by the express
for Edinburgh on Monday morning, inspected the Ist
(King's) Dragoon Guards, now stationed at Piershill
Barracks, and under orders to prepare for embarkation
for the seat of war, in the Queen's-park, Holyrood,
on Tuesday. The noble lord also inspected, at Piers-
hill, a draught of the Scots Greys, under orders to
join the service companies of that distinguished corps
in the Crimea. A squadron of the King's Own rejoined
head-quarters on Monday from Hamilton, to be inspected
with the regiment. The King's Own have of late been
augmented to about the full strength, and are a splendid
and effective regiment.
The 80th Regiment (Staffordshire Volunteers) are leav-
ing Fort George for the south, prior to embarkation on
foreign service. The first division embarked on Monday
morning for Granton Pier, and on Tuesday passed through
Edinburgh .on the way to Carliale. The second division
were to leave Fort George to-day, and the third, with
head-quarters, on Saturday.