The Sun.
London, England, 1852-01-10 00:00:00

(13 Et

-
LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1852

Broadlands must before long release from retire-
ment the foremost statesman of England, the neces-
sities of the time not merely restoring him to the
direction of the Foreign Department of the Govern-
ment, but reposing in his hands the responsibility of
conducting the entire affairs of the Administration.
These are no idle hopes or illusory anticipations.
They are inevitable deductions fr DM the events that
have already transpired. That the GREY-RUSSELL
Cabinet in its present, or even in a. modified form, can
survive much longer is an idea now universally scouted
as preposterous. The people aro sick of it. They
have by this time had enough and more than enough
of the ruling Ministry. They have learnt again by a
bitter and most tedious experient:e the truth of the
saying, that the Whigs are always: best in Opposition.
Thereupon they have arrived at that stage in their
alternations of hope and despair when the accession
even of the Tories to power would be almost prefer-
able to the perpetuation of the e:dsting Government,
Happily such an alternative is ray no means forced
upon the nation under these circumstances. Instead
of seeing themselves driven into the arms of the old
Conservatives, or of the obsolete sticklera for Protec-
tion, the people
recognise the possibility, and not
only the possibility, but the cer';ainty (with a little
show of resolution on their own part) of witnessing
the restoration to office of a libt,ral, an enlightened,
an experienced, a patriotic, a courageous,
and a chi-
valric administrator like Viecouiee pALMERSTON, and
this time not simply as Foreign Secretary, but as
Leader of a new Administration.. Inspired by these
prospects, we look with confidence to the community
for that bold and explicit dechration of its wishes
which is alone required as the signal for this remark-
able change in her MAJESTY'S Gr,vernment. Imme-
diately the population h.s peonounced, beyond
all further doubt, the nature of its desires and
the tendency of its aspirations, Lord jOl,
RUSSELL must forthwith retire from his official resi-
dence in Downing-street, making way for a states-
man in every respect more suited to the age, and
more qualified to deal in a valiant and magnanimous
manner with the difficulties affecting the State, whe-
ther of an external or internal character.
It is remarkable that every successive attempt
made within the last fortnight by the PRIME MINISTER
with a view to strengthen his tottering and worn-out
Administration has revealed on his part a retrogres-
sive tendency more decided than even those most
suspicious of his policy could have anticipated. His
peremptory and abrupt dismissal of Lord PALMERS-
TON from the Foreign-office, it can never be for-
gotton, was hailed with undisguised expressions of
delight at Vienna, according admirably, as it did
with the secret and ulterior designs of the Cabie
net of Prince SCRWARTZENBURG. While gratifying
1 the councils of the Red EMPEILOM, however, and while
imparting profound sentiments of pleasure to his
imperial master, the AUTOCRAT, Lord JOHN RUSSELL
should have remembered that he was in the most
effectual manner, at the same time, estranging himself
from his quondam admirers, insulting them, as he
has unquestionably tione, by his rupture with their
favourite statesman. Circumstances of another kind
have corroborated the accuracy of our first assertions I

in reference to the causes of this recent movement in
the Administration. It has been demonstrated be-
yond all denial, for example, that one of the
proximate reasons for the removal of Lord PALMERS-
TON from the Cabinet was the fact of his avowed
sympathy for the Hungarians ; and that another was
his clearly expressed approval of the memorable
coup d'etat of the 23 of December. The existence of
these particular opinions, in the judgment of the late
Foreign Secretary, we ourselves all along main-
tained. We protested, from the first, that such
were the real sentiments entertained upon these
vitally important subjects by Lord PALMERSTON.
We recognised the truth that such must inevitably
prove the case on investigation, aware that the reality
of our convictions upon this head could alone render
consistent the whole of his bold and liberal policy of
foreign government. Recent disclosures have verified
the assertions then made in our columns, and have
shown beyond the gainsaying of a very large section
of the so-called Liberal party in England, that such
were actually the views taken in regard to France
and in regard to Austria, in regard to Louis KOSSUTH
and in regard to LOUIS NAPOLEON, by the great
English statesman who for so many years had been
the presiding genius of the Foreign Department.
Aware of these facts, the Liberals throughout
England would do well to review their past opinions
upon subjects intimately connected with the cause
of liberalism in Great Britain, and with the
interests of civilization throughout Europe—subjects
upon which they have unhappily, within the last few
weeks, allowed their minds to be darkened by the
evil influences of impassioned abuse and ill-considered
misrepresentation. Let those who have thus been
carried away in this miserable torrent of anti-Bona-
partist vituperations—pause, and consider well the
fact, that LOUIS NAPOLEON'S conduct has met with
the approval of a liberal and truly patriotic statesman
like Viscount PALMERSTON. Let them consider,
moreover, whether it would not be for the ad-
vantage of society throughout Christendom, to wit-
ness a cordial alliance, upon the principles of real
liberty, of our own with the Republican Govern-
ments of France and of the United States—
an alliance that would disarm the German
despots of their power in obeying their lord
paramount, the Russian AUTOCRAT—an alliance
that would bind Louis NAPOLEON, effectually bind
him, to a perseverance in the glorious cause he
has inaugurated by the re-establishment of universal
suffrage and the restoration of vote by ballot—an
alliance that would associate the greatest military na-
tion on the continent with the great Anglo-Saxon
race scattered throughout the old world and the new,
established more particularly in England and in
America—an alliance, moreover, such as is alone
practicable on the restoration to office of the late
Foreign Secretary, in the construction of a new
Liberal Cabinet presided over by Viscount PAL-
MERSTON.

Although several days have elapsed since the an-
nouncement of the destruction of theiill-fated Amazon,
and the melancholy loss of life on that fearful oc-
currence, the public excitement has not in any
degree abated. The utmost anxiety is felt for
further intelligence on the subject. Hope is still
entertained, almost against hope, that intelligence may
yet be received of the safety of others of the pas-
sengers and crew. The almost miraculous preserva-
tion of the :25 persons whose names we were enabled
to publish yesterday was wholly unexpected, and as
some of the boats are yet unaccounted for,
it is at least possible that others may have been
rescued from the imminent peril in which they were
involved, although no account has reached, or for
some time may reach, our shores thereof. Many
vessels were probably within sight of the awful con-
flagration, all of which would necessarily be attracted
to the spot. Not only the boats that may have; got
clear, but even fragments of the wreck, each
supporting some of the unfortunate sufferers,
may have been picked up by ships bound
to distant ports. It was but recently
that the entire crew of a brig that had been run
down in the North Sea were restored to their friends,
who had for many months mourned them as dead.
We may yet.have similar tidings with regard to some
of those who had embarked on board the Amazon.
That such may be the case will be fervently desired
by every one possessed of the ordinary feelings of hu-
manity. We cannot, however, conceal from ourselves
that such a contingency is so exceedingly remote,
that scarcely any reasonable expectation can be en-
tertained by the sorrowing relatives.
Next to the interest felt respecting the fate
of those yet unaccounted for, an intense desire is
felt to have the cause of the heartrending accident
clearly and distinctly ascertained, not merely from idle
curiosity, but that adequate means may be adopted
to prevent the possibility of similar catastrophes for
the future. We should endeavour to profit by our
dearly-bought experience, that the painful lesson
should not be altogether thrown away. Nothing
certain is as yet known on this point. A variety of
rumours have been put forward, but they are at leas t
mere guesses, on which no reliance can be placed.
The investigation held on Thursday by the Court of
Directors threw but little light on the interesting
subject. The perfect efficiency of the ship herself
and of her machinery, was clearly established.
The high state of discipline of the entire ship's corn-
pany from the highest to the lowest on board—the
crew, in fact, consisting of picked and carefully
selected men—was so well known, that it scarcely
required the evidence that was obtained to show that
it could not be ascribed to any misconduct on
their part. Everything that was elicited tended to
exonerate every individual on hoard from any degree
of blame ; but the actual cause of the outbreak is still
unknown. Some additional information may,
however be obtained from those who were
saved by the Gertruida. We rejoice to find
the name of Mr.. JACOB ALLEN, foreman of Messrs.
SEAWARD and C APEL, the makers of the engines,
among the number. As Mr. ALLEN is an exceed-
ingly intelligen..'t person, as may be easily con-
ceived from the responsible situation which
he held, and as he was specially deputed
to watch the working of the machinery
during the voyage, we may look forward to receiv-
ing a sound and trustworthy opinion, which, although
it may not be cc nclusive, may yet act as a quietus to
many of the absurd rumours that have been put
forward.

There are some matters, however, which are
already placed in the clearest point of view. We
have already alr:uded to the state in which the boats
were stowed awe y, so as to be scarcely available dur-
ing the emergency. We have it on unimpeachable
authority—front Mr. RODERT NEILSON, one of the
rescued passengrls—that " there was ample boat ac•
commodation, ea id of first-rate quality, to have saved
all hands." He a ays—" There were two of WHITE'S
life-boats on the platforms behind the paddle-boxes,
capable of hots ling thirty-five men each, but
they were so 'stowed away as to render it diffi-
cult for any ship's company to have lowered
them under ten minutes each, even in broad day-
light ; two othe r life-boats, in one of which we
were saved, which would carry safely twenty-fire
men each; a ID Eit boat, pinnace, and cutter, twenty
men each; a
gi,g, fifteen men ; and the dingy. Seven of
these at least, an d perhaps the gig, if well managed,
would have livesc I through that night if proper crews
had been appropriated to each, so as to lower
and take charT. of them ; yet of all these, as
far as I can j u dge onl one survived the wreck."
In this opinion Mr. Is.TEILSON was happily mistaken:;
y
,
two boats we;:e• picked up by the Dutch galliot.
There is nothi,3l;, however, to contradict his assertion
" that the two b ast life-boats might have been suffi-
ciently secured., and more available when wanted." We I
trust that the f it tention of the Board of Trade may be
directed to this. subject. If vessels are bound by Act
of Parliament to carry a certain number of boats, it
should surely also be provided that those boats could
a intervening.
should
be resorted toy by crew or passengers, without fataL
delAotaynsohrerdiffi tie
p
);tint that
adequate me s for extinguishing
any casual fire;
should be re m
fitly at hand
ata attended to is, that;
moment's notice. No
" penny wise and pound foolish" economy should be
suffered to in to rpose where the lives of so many a
our fellow-c re atures may be. involved in the re-
suit. We ari 3 told that a plan was submitt ed
to the diree tors which would unquestionat ly
have saved ti le vessel, cargo, passengers, a ad

crew, but at as it would cost somethi og
approaching 'lO 2001., the directors declin

incurring such an expense, as " steam-vessels were
very seldom burnt." We have also seen the
almost magical effects of PHILLIPS' patent
fire annihilator, and yet we do not find
that anything of the kind was prepared
to meet the contingency whenever it might
arise. Surely, the proprietors of steam-packets,
and, indeed, of all other vessels taking pas-
sengers, should be compelled to adopt every possible
precaution against such terrible calamities.
But there is another cause to which, more than any
other, the calamity may be ascribed, viz., the absurd
regulation of the Government, forbidding the use of
iron vessels to the various mail contract companies,
and thus imposing not only an immense
additional expense, but much greater danger of loss.
The Select Committee of the House of Commons
reported most strongly last session on the
decided advantage of iron over wood in the
construction of vessels fitted for the packet service,
more especially to those to which the screw propeller
their old course, " seeing no
irdseoagsagopenpd obstinacy
applied
a; t alter tt their sitrilni opinion," "My Lords " persist with
pinion," although its folly and
absurdity
has been exposed by many eminent prac-
tical and scientific men. We trust that the
Legislature will see to this matter early in the ensu-
ing session. All must not be sacrificed to the crotchets
of her MAJESTY'S Commissioners for executing the
office of Lord High Admiral in England.

LATEST FROM PARIS.

(BY SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH.)
PARIS, SATURDAY MORNING, 9 A.M.
MM. Victor Hugo, Charras, Bac, De Flotte, and
sixty-two ex-representatives of the Mountain, are
banished from France, Algeria, and the colonies.
forDuvergier reasons of public security.— Times.
de Hauranne, Generals Lamori-
ciere, Changarnier, Bedeau, Thiers, Girardin, and
are temporarily removed from France
taan.dAelivAMel oetrbiears