The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-04 00:00:00

aark indeed for England unless the propositions
which this meeting is summoned to endorse be
yeedily reduced to practice. We have never been
tniongst the croakers, but events must have proved
o all that we have but tho alternatives of a dis•
lonourable and war-begetting peace, or of imme-
liatoadministrative reform. It would be cruelty
nd folly equally to go on with old incompetent
lenerals, surrounded by staffs of equally incom-
,otent nephews and kinsfolk ;—with a commis-
;ltriat, a civil service, and to a large extent a
'finistry too, equally inefficient ;—to go on sacri-
icing soldiers by thousands, and money by scores
'f millions, just because our incapables must be
in office. The nation will not do
,hat. We must either therefore put our
lead management to rights, or sink back
4upinely into an• Austrian peace, and en-
joy the costly pleasure of keeping our useless
nut costly aristocracy still on our backs. The
alternatives on which this meeting is sum-
moned to decide are, in fact, costly failure and
Infamy, or, comparatively, cheap victory and
ionour. We trust our fellow-citizens will muster
to their duty.

We may just mention that it will be well the
meeting should bear in mind, that though the
flain question is not one of party politics, yet it
will be difficult to keep clear of political questions
altogether. The writer of a spirited little pamph-
let, "Red-Tapism ; its Cause"—by One Behind
the Scenes (Ridgway), has pointed out how deeply
our political habits are implicated with the in-
efficiency of the public service. The persons
employed in it are so extensively introduced
for political reasons ; the successive politi-
cal chiefs have so little inducement to use
heir influence to perfect at a great sacrifice
die service for their. successors, and the diffi-
lulty of dismissal for incompetency is, for
political reasons, so great, that it is next to im-
possible our civil service should be what it ought
*bile political power must be bought by means of
it. Then, again, we have not a House of Com-
none chosen by the voice of the people. County
Members are but the breath of the landlords, and
he Members for small towns are much the same.
I. real Reform Bill, with the Ballot, seems an in-
lispensable precursor of a House of Commons
vhich shall compel administrative reform. It
*ill, indeed, be singular if the War should cause

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. Win. Cooke.
Second night of a Grand Hibernian Ballet !
THIS EVENING.
The interesting Equestrian Drama by Nelson Lee, called, THE
FIELD AGAISST 11.1 E FAVOU'L'ITE !
After which, the SCENES in the CIRCLE, including Mr. V. .
Cooke's Dwarf Elephants.
To conclepi.. with a Grand Ballet, by Mrs. G. Healey, called, THE
LAKES OF KILLARNEY.
A new Military Act Drop, painted by Fenton, has been added ti
the Embellishments.
- 1;os-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W
Irss
I.„ Acting maraTer, Mr. W. U. Cooke. Equestrian Director.
C Cooke, jun.

GRAND PUBLIC
DEMONSTRATION
IN THE CITY

IN FAVOUR OV
ADNIINISTRATIVE
REFORM.

.he dropping of a sham Reform Bill, and originate
real one.

"THE SUN"
OF TO-MORROW (SATURDAY)

Lord CLARENDON last night attempted to dis-
arm criticism by the candid confession that their
Lordships might not consider the statement he
lad just made respecting the negotiations at Vienna
"either satisfactory or conclusive," even in the
limited sense in which he used the latter term,
'lamely, as •:" to what had taken place." • The
Noble Lord also declared that he was unable to
nform the house "of the course which Austria
intends to take hereafter, and hoped that on this
,articular point a prudent reserve might be main-
rained." In all other respects the explanation. has
been merely a rechauffee of what Lord J. RUSSELL
cad previously announced in the House of Com-
mons ; and that although the Marquis of LANS-
DOWNE had in the early part of the week declared
.hat it was of infinite importance that the earliest
possible information should be given to the House
and the country respecting the result of the
oegotiations. All the information accorded, how-
ever, consists of a repetition of the stereotyped
Hinisterial platitudes respecting the propriety of
maintaining " a prudent reserve !" A " prudent
reserve" is also displayed respecting the intelli-
gence from the Crimea, and on every other
point worth knowing ; so that, in fact,
the object of the Government is neither
more nor less than to reduce both 'Houses of
To-morrow the " Administrative Reform Asro Parliament into mere cyphers, whose only duties
ciation" is to be brought into existence. The shall be to register the ukases and give vitalityto
public has been already Apprised of its objects, and the propositions of the PALMERSTON Administra-
all reasonable men must agree. that they 'are, just tion ! Well might Lord DERBY express his deep
regret at listening to such an unsatisfactory state-
now, of paramount importance. The Government
ment from a i
British Minister—a statement which
has been freely blamed, the military authorities
left everything " n the same state of uncertainty,
have been censured severely, the House which re-
vacillation, and hesitation," which they have re-
presents, or should represent, the people, is re- mained in from the very commencement of the
proached for its idleness, its apathy, and its false Eastern difficulty.
courtesy to Ministers. The people should now Although no direct or positive information could
take care not to show equal neglect of their own be collected from the Foreign Secretary, much
might be inferred from his "prudent reserve."
interests: An attendance of the right quality and
number to-morrow, at the " London Tavern, at viously entertained of the good faith and honesty
12 for one," is therefore a duty which London of Austria are but too well founded, and that we
owes both to itself and to the country at large. have nothing to hope (or fear, perhaps, is the
We have no doubt that most serious conse- more correct phrase) from the active co-operation
Trances depend on the character of to-morrow's of that double-dealing Government. For nearly
two years the Western Powers have been bam-
meeting. If it be what it ought to be, it willhoozled, boozled, and the sameveame is still attempted. All
modify immediately the counsels of the Cabinet, the calamities that haves occurred may be traced to
will rouse the House of Commons, and will pro- its timid or treacherous policy, and should France
bably of itself cause many right men to be put and England still suffer bremselves to be be-
into the right places. From the time when the fooled, we may, in some three or four years,
League held their meeting at which the great hear that we are still " waiting for Austria," still
truckling to Germanism, sacrificing the national
subscription was raised, the Corn Laws were
honour and the national interests, and imperilling
demised. The Minister in office, and the Minis-
our very existence, in consequence of the defer-
ter out of office, immediately began a race for the ence due to an EMPEROR to whcm the House of
Leadership of the movement, which they then Coeuno is anxious to pay the greatest possible
foresaw must prove successful. The commercial respect.
notiliti of London have now an opportunity tc When, after the long and useless delay afforded
do something equally worthy of them. If they to the Russian Plenipotentiary, in order that he
will but stand forward, and pledge the City to
might initiate the mode in which the principle of
100,000 L, the Third Point could be carried into practical
with ten per cent. paid up, the country •
Y operation, the propositions of France and Eng-
will,every where follow them, the Government land, supported by Austria, were peremptorily
will strike to their earnestness, and Honourable and contumeliously rejected—when the sugges-
Members will understand the tenure on which tions so tardily offered by Prince GORTSCHAKOFY
they hold their seats. .. were found so unacceptable that the details were
Every consideration impresses on us the value i not even taken into consideration, and Lord
JOHN RUSSELL and M. DROUYN DE L'HuYs had
of the opportunity. Even the PALMERSTON Cali- departed from Vienna, the conferences were not
net and the Horse Guards have just shown that broken off, but merely "suspended." This ridi-
they are susceptible to pressure. The officers of culous pretext was clearly tolerated for the
the Indian army are now to take rank with the purpose of allowing Austria an excuse for
Imperial army. The silly, and just now most further procrastination, so that this year might
mischievous, abuse of generations is abolished with be wasted as the two last have been.
After going much further than they were juhti
fled in do
-
a stroke of the pen. The ' way is now open for .
doing to conciliate Russia, Count Bum,
commanders of recently tried capacity to be placed makes the notable discovery that " the means for
at the bead of our troops. But it will need almost obtaining a 'peace were not wholly exhausted ;"
a tornado of public opinion to send these men to adding that "it would be the special duty of
the Crimea, and that simply because it will die- Austria to discover some mode of attaining that
end, consistently with the engagements into which
place some who ought never to have been there.
she had entered with the' other Powers r Prince
A meeting of London merchants, which cannot be
seis
oarsonareoee shows his appreciation of the
'laughed at, is just the force needed to compel Go- time that must necessarily be consumed while the
German EdipusC is puzzling his brain on the coni-
°eminent to numerous similar modifications of
roPili•
6 and aristocratic follies and blunders, and plicated problem he has undertaken to solve, by
t° e'f°ree the practical adoption of them, and no" renewing the lease of his Palace at Vienna for a
their inere term of six months more. Now, the very per-
ing-street or
record on the foolscap pages of Down- .
mission to Austria to postpone the performance of
of the Horse Guards.
It
must be remembered, too, that the small her solemn' undertaking for a period so indefinite
band in the Rouseassumes that there may be some middle course
4
of Commons which is ready t• •
more favourable to Russia that would be accept-
do its duty can it only on the condition of able to the Western Powers ! The CZAR will
overpowering popular
support, The merchant.: clearly not accept that which. he has already per-
offor his out-spoken frankness
perfectly trivial rnistak• 1 eruptorily rejected. He will not submit to any
to their
chants in Liverpool. A brother mar- diminution of his power in the Euxine—when he
allow the perfect neutrality of that
has refused to
or two gave tongue to a whole pack of place naval force therein with-
sea, or to limit his
and Colonels, who revelled with delight in Ed) men ,in any How, then,
specified dimensions.
LAYAT,D on an issue as foreign to tleri". can a safe or honourable peace be con-
Mr.eioded 1 How can we insure the independence
question as Sir ROBERT PEEL'S declamation about of tile the
Ottoman
Empire orpermanent &an-
'.
assassination was to Mr. COBDEN' quilliS anti-corn-lee • •ty .
of Europe ? It would, require a " forty
tare mmine '
arguments. Mr. COBDEN*, however, had. 'sewer of credulity" to suppose that it
• Were
People and their significant contributions at his
eo
putizeible to do so. Our Ministers cannot be
back, and be beat Sir ROBERT. And if Mr. Lay- i
of
air,tir_inaa, S 3 grossly ignorant, of the real state
'l"'"' have a similar demonstration to support him, i peace
Obve:ftt,ro credit the practicability of such a
a wiliin
even the ' -
e .1"k-tug Premier will turn serious and la ibe conniving a sink le moment. They must then
speak boly and decisively ; else
and-loose policy of Aus-
glad to Come to terms. ..-otile sinister influence be
even men Without such su;?port, tria. . They must
WV to the deception,
1 chic would they
sion will fail., Rp,
rats--'
uP by PROV/DENCE for the! tome- :. Yloldiug
-1174 TR itself will not helpi those ,
ivould they require
who are too judo' from pitaxe
indolent or thno-serving tol help f3itliful performance of his obii,,, I.a JOSEPH the
Vie fitting and sacrificingself-g...telee.s, giving, at
leaders of a 4 good the same time, a very intelli tbl hint as to the
muse. ~ , , '-' certain. consequences of further pro ‘• •
tite...natsetilF::fr-
cras.ination en
We scarcely need mention that the future is his Fit ; else would tkey address Lieu in the

WILL corgTAlzr

A FULL ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS

AT THE ABOVE MEETING.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE

T ,13 OAT —Hornung 6 ?1:4-..Aftes 3 Ev,ntng24 min. at.
To-Mcia mar - Korai4 41 ,nin.Aller 3 j Eveniug lmin.att. 4

WEATHER.—Sus Oifics, May. 4.
THNBMONETNE, IN TEN SEAMY.
60 -highest since noon yesteroay.
40—lowest this morning and during the night.
47—this day, at noon.
BAROMETRE, 29'82—rising again.
.virin, N.—Fresh breeze, with very cold, dull weather.
It blew a hard gale last evening with heavy gusts.
Two OCLOCK.—Wind, E.N.E. ; fresh.

~,,
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:;

§AIII,,

LONDON, FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1855.