The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-24 00:00:00

clined to look even for Reformers to those Conser-
vative benches whose occupants have at least acted
up to their very moderate professions in that respect.
In minor matters, too, the Government have con-
trived to offend some important sections of the
people. The injustice and inequality attending the
abolition of the paper duty was at once apparent to
every unprejudiced mind. The French were allowed
the privilege of sending us their paper duty free and
of importing our rags free in return, while our own
manufacturers—compelled to face foreign competi-
tion at home—have to procure a large portion of
their rags under a heavy duty. Such inconsistency
is absolutely ridiculous when dignified by the name
of free trade. It is something of the same character
as the one-sided free trade which allows a highway-
man to clear our pockets. This feature in the case
against the Government was stronglydwelt upon the
other day at onerof the grand Conservative reunions`
which are typical of the gathering strength and
heightening hopes of Lord DERBY'S party. The
inauguration of a new political society under the
name of " The Maidstone Conservative Association"
was celebrated with banners, speeches, toasts, and
general rejoicings in the Corn Exchange of that
town. The object of the association, as may be
surmised from its title, is to concentrate and organise
the Conservative forces, especially with the view of
securing the return of a Conservative representative
at the next general election. Mr. WARDLAW, the
gentleman who contested the borough on a former
occasion without success, was present, and pledges of
unity and fidelity were given on both sides. It is
noticeable, however, that the defections of the pre-
sent Government were the point most strongly
dwelt upon by all parties, and as was natural in a
Maidstone assembly, the question of the Paper
Duties was brought prominently forward. One
gentleman, Mr. BUSBRIDGE, who represented the
paper making interest of the town, frankly con-
fessed having changed his colours on that ground
alone. His political opinions, he said, were the
same, but' finding that the Liberal party persisted
in their injustice and unfairness, he turned to the
Conservatives ; and he believed that their only
chance of obtaining redress was to turn out the pre-
sent Government." This is plain speaking, and
coming from a former supporter and an elector on
the eve of a general election it bodes little good to
the existing Administration when the trial of
strength shall come on the hustings. Mr. BUSBRIDGE
is no inapt representative of a good many who are
Liberals by conviction and principle, but who are
not children to be satiefiad with words, nor ignorant
enough not to see that the free trade and reform of
the Whigs are as oneeided as their neutrality. The
allusions made in the addresses to the state of affairs
in Denmark and America called forth the hearty
sympathies of the meeting, who joined warmly in
Mr. WARDLAW'S denunciation of Earl RUUSELL'B
treacherous abandonment of Danish interests, and
in his declaration that the feeling of England in the
Schleswig Holstein dispute was exclusively with
the Danes, and in the American struggle were
principally with the South. The speaker, though
holding up the energy and determination of the
Southern States to admiration, did not hesitate to
recommend the observance of strict neutrality be-
tween the belligerents, but he commented strongly
on the notorious fact that the Federals are allowed
to ship men from Ireland, and ammunition from
Birmingham, while a rumour that the famous steam
rams are building for the Confederates detains them
unfinished. These are facts from which there is no
appeal. They carry conviction to the minds of
those sturdy independent Englishmen of the middle
classes who form the most important portion of the
non-legislating public. Their common sense, their
love of right and justice, and their patriotic pride
Ind feeling are all insulted by the policy parsued
with respect to Denmark, to America, to Reform,
to the Paper Duty. Such questions as these are
the real weakness of a Government, and so long as
the members of the present Administration pursue
the course they are now treading their antagonists
hale good cause to rejoice over their rising fortunes
and to anticipate coming triumphs.

It is said that misfortunes never come single, and
the present position of the States of Europe seems
to verify the asset tion. It is more than a year since
the Polish Insurrection commenced, and since that
period there has been nothing but disturbances 01
one kind and another. At present the confusion is
great, and the spirit of discord is rife. No one can
foresee what the end will be, or what other nation
may be dragged into the vortex.. Rumours, sug
gestions, and prophecies abound, but it is impossible
to give credence to them, and the only wise course
is to study the several details, and from them draw
an inference as to what is likely to occur. It is very
evident that, notwithstanding their professions of
unity, and the equanimity which is declared to
reign in their councils, that Russia, Prussia, and
Austria are not all united with respect to the policy
that should prevail in Poland. The fact is, that
each party seeks only for its own advantage, and is
too embarrassed in deciding upon what steps to take
for the achievement of that desired end to be able
to coalesce with other Governments. Perhaps, in
the long run, this may be all for the best as regards
Poland, and the very circumstances which mili-
tated against the remonstrances of the two German
nations having any effect last summer, may now act
indirectly for the benefit of that ill-used nation.
The Emperor of RUSSIA may fear to prolong the
present contest too far, knowing the longing eyes
that are cast on his proceedings, and fearing that at
some inopportune moment advantage may be taken
of the position, and he may sustain serious incon-
venience. Either this idea may influence the Cabinet
of St. Petersburg, or the present unsettled state of
things in Europe as regards Denmark may have
produced an effect upon their tactics, but
they seem now to be moderating their
policy, and tempering down the fierceness
of their previous plans. It has been reported that
news from Warsaw brings the welcome intelli•
Bence that order promises shortly to reign there,
and that the " sabre regulations" may be shortly
suspended. Of course this must depend upon
several contingent circumstances, but still the an-
nouncement of such a thing is a great
step in advance. For the most part
people have long since given up all hopes of the
speedy regeneration of Poland; and, indeed, it is
not likely that this generation will live to wit-
ness the auspicious event. The present policy
which animates and actuates the several States
of Europe is too reticent for the accomplishment
of any strikieg change. There is no Power that
is at all likely to go to war for the cause
pur et simple of Polish independence, and the
arbitration of conferences, or the transmission of
" notes " will never effect the important altera-
tion. All things taken together then, it seems
about the best thing that can be hoped for that the
insurrection should die out, and that thus the
remnant of the population may be saved perhaps
to fight their battles over again in better times,

and under happier circumstances. It is not very
presumptuous to suppose that all that has occurred
has produced some influence on Russia, and that
expectant Europe may not ba dismayed and dis-
tressed at the sight of a renewal of the hard and
harsh policy which scandalised all Europe a short
time back. It is one thing to leave off in the