The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-11 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 11, 1864.

will be paid to the subject at all, from the all-
engrossing topics of interest and excitement that
attract universal regard and attention. Therefore
it is very essential that some one should stand up
and denounce in Parliament the very unsatisfac-
tory ccurse which our Government has adopted.
The fallacies of their system, the futility of their
attempts, and the impotence of their efforts in all
important questions of foreign policy, are patent to
the world, and have by this time been fully recog-
nised by a disappointed and disheartened people at
home. At all events it is a sort of satisfaction to
find that we have among us some who dissent from
their feeble and pusillanimous course, and if it seem
but a scanty remnant who come forward in opposi-
tion to the hosts who swell the ranks of the powers
that be, and diepenee the favours cf office, we may
rest assured that these few represent the spirit of
the country at large in its integrity. It seems
strange how so many blunders should have been
committed in one year as have been perpetrated by
our present Ministers. It is true that the fates
seemed to have conspired against them, and to have
exercised their most fatal influence on their course.
Lord STRATUEDEN went over the history of the
correspondence, and showed that it had produced
the most disastrous effects throughout its progress,
and finally, by abrupt termination, had Materially
conduced to " impair the French alliance." This
is strictly true, for the French EMPEROR
had every reason to be indignant at the
manner in which he was treated in this affair of
Poland, and we are now indeed seeing the conse-
quences of the tame and spiritless policy of our
Cabinet at that time. Had the English Govern.
ment taken up a more decided tone from the outset
and checked the cruelty of Prussia, and upbraided
the assistance which Prussia rendered to that power,
we should not now be witnessing the ungovernable
assumption, and extreme intolerance which the
Germanic States are displaying in Denmark. Also
the French influence would have been more power-
fully employed in the present instance, but who can
wonder that an astute politician, and a consummate
diplomatist like the Ruler of France is unwilling to
peril his reputation by sharing an undertaking with
statesmen of such ephemerial stability and evanes-
cent decision as the present occupants of the
Treasury benches. Poland was led to sup-
pose that some of the most powerful nations of
Europe had taken up her cause in good earnest, and
could hardly fail to succeed to some great extent.
Instead of this months went by in fruitless argu-
ment till the Cabinet of St. Petersburg lost
patience, and through its mouthpiece very unpolitely
requested the mediating powers to mind their own
business. Either actuated by secret motives, or
really dismayed at the tone adopted towards them,
our Government precipitately withdrew from the
contest when the fruitless war of words had been
exchanged, and of course the other States had to
follow suit nolens volens. No wonder that such a
mode of procedure has called down the scorn and
ridicule of all prescient politicians throughout the
Continent, no wonder that by such a line of action,
our Ministers have abrogated their rights and
privileges,and now, as cone speaker justly remarked
the other day no ore asks what England will do
in any emergency, but speculates upon what course
the French E3IPEROR will adopt. Earl RUSSELL'S
speeches are not worth perusing if he desires to
receive an assurance that possesses the weight, er to
meet with an expression that is consonant with the
spirit that should attach itself to the utterances of
the Foreign Minister of the country. It is always
a string of platitudes, a tissue of excuses, and a col-
lection of shallow arguments that issue from the
remarks of the noble lord. The end is
the same in all cases, and nothing is admitted or
acknowledged that can be construed into a reproach
of any foreign Power or an expression of sympathy
with any injured people. It would be a great relief
if the noble lord would fire up on behalf of some
State in which the House and the country take an
interest, whether for struggling nationality by the
shores of the Baltic, or for noble independence
beyond the waves of the Atlantic. But the days
seem for ever past when he stood forth in the
panoply of the Minister of England—
" The languid JOHNNY grew to glorious JOHN "
It would have been better for his reputation in the
present and his future fame in the pages of history
if he had retired from so prominent a position before
such a change came over the spirit of his dream
as that which has made the descendant of those
who died for the liberties of England the apologist
of aggressive tyrants and the inactive observer of
attacks that are unparalleled for unfairness and
oppression.

The present generation is certainly not fortunate
in being fated to witness so many distressing events,
and to behold so many nations and races afflicted
with the scourge of war, and the cruel calamity of
despotic tyranny. Mr. COBDEN was certainly very
nzal apropos some years ago in his prophesy of a
general peace pervading the world. Instead of
that blessed advent there seems general war and
universal discord. The last startling announcement
that reaches us concerns the Caucasians, and pain-
ful to the feelings as have been the several items of
intelligence that have been forwarded to us from
time to time concerning the state of the nations
that are the theatres of war, it would seem as if
this last event bids fair to rival, if not surpass, the
other casualties. It is always a distressing and
disastrous occurrence when a brave race has to
give way at last, and a gallant band of patriots falls
before the ruthless attacks of merciless and unscru-
pulous invaders. The Russians, with that perse-
verance that always accompanies their warlike
efforts, and that savageness that unfortunately
distinguishes their natures, have pursued their
course of conquest, and kept firm to their work of
extermination. Such a picture as is presented to
our view of the sad state and bitter miseries of this
helpless and persecuted people seems almost incre-
dible to realise by civilised states, and repugnant
to the very nature of all humane people. What
evils must have been endured, what cruelties in-
flicted, and what an appalling prospect for the future
presented itself to their view harrows the thoughts
to contemplate and fills the imagination with
horror. Really when we read of these transactions
we may ask, Where is the vaunted progress of the
age ?—has it made peace an easier possession ?—has
it deserted war and its horrors ?—has it oven kept
alive the chivalric feeling that in the earlier days
of the world's history made honourable some of the
most deadly strifes, and softened the harsh outlines
of attacks and invasion ? Nowadays it would
seem as if to spare the vanquished, to moderate the
rigour of conquest, and to apply the golden rule
that is applicable in war as in peace were quite
uuthought of. At all events, Russia has set a stern
example to the less powerful nations, and, judging
from recent accounts, Prussia has not been slow to
follow in her wake, nor slack in her endeavours to
compete for the gains won in the unworthy manner
described. It will long be remembered as a lasting
disgrace to the Prussians that their persecutions
nhould have compelled their unfortunate victims to
resort to the adoption of this unnecessary expedient,
and to expose themselves, their women and children,
to the perils, fatigues, and miseries of this unpre-
pared for and unparalleled expedition. It. is difficult
to decide in what particular phase of their fearful

undertaking the outcasts of this noble race suffer
the most, or are the most to be pitied. Whether
waiting on the shore for the means of transport, or
in the act of crossing the Euxine in the crowded
and miserable vessels, or again when landed at their
destination, in all the horrors of over-stocked places
and contagious diseases, it is impossible to say
which is the worst. The details of their adventures r '
in the several stages are most harrowing to dwell
upon, and must make the reader shudder to
contemplate. To think a:so that these decimating
inflictions and excruciating torments have been
endowed by a noble race, adds tenfold to the
horrors of the reflection, and renders it difficult to
restrain one's indignation in due bounds. It is
difficult for those who arc accustomed to the incon-
sistent and equable rule of constitutional govern-
ment to csmprehend the motives of those who thus
constantly urge on an exterminating war, and per-
sists
in the face of all remonstrances from other
nations to follow out their preconceived policy.
The only solution that can be found is in the want
of humanising feeling that is so lamentably deficient
in the Russian, as also in some other states.
This want is, indeed, most painfully in the details
of the Circassian exodus. Seldom has it fallen to
the lot of the present generation to peruse such a
harassing recital as that which is here presented
before us, and it naturally suggests itself to the
mind to consider the circumstances that have led to
the sad casualty, and the consequences that may
ensue from its occurrence. There can be no doubt
that it is the tyranny of the Russians that has led
to their departure. That rule has been of such 6
class that it involves resistance even from the con-
quered, and causes men to undertake the must des-
perate measures rather than abide undt r its sway.
The best proof of the invincible character of their
determination is that those who still remain are re-
solved to follow, notwithstanding the fearful priva-
tions and sufferings to which their predecessors have
been exposed. It is truly observed in the account of
this sad affair that the " sacrifice of independence
alone would surely not have induced 300,000 people
in a body from their country." Also, they
to fly
would have adopted more prudent and precautionary
measures before proceeding on such a momentous
expedition. It is quite idle for the Russians to say
that they have endeavoured to take steps to con-
ciliate the people. No one of any discernment can
possibly attach credence to such an assertion. The
stern denial to their declaration is given in charac-
ters that none can fail to mark. The brave but
unfortunate Circassians have rendered a solemn
protest against the cruelty of their barbarous op-
pressors in the sight of GOD and Man, and the
nations must look on with awe at such a fearful
visitation befalling a noble race, and with indig•
nation at the barbarity that propels the deed. It
is to be trusted that in the land of their adoption
these unhappy exiles may meet with a better fate,
but that will not condone the conduct of those who
have driven them forth from their hearths and
altars, from the graves of their fathers and the soil
of their birth.