The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-22 00:00:00

The Friends of Poland,

Yesterday afternoon the 30th anniversay meet-
ing of the Literary Association of the Friends of
Poland took place at the rooms of the association,
Sussex-chambers, Duke-street, St. James's. The
Earl of Ilchester, presidentelect, occupied the chair.
Mr. W. LLOYD BIRKBECK, the hon. secretary,
read the report, which explained the circumstances
which had led to the association not having been
called together since 1861, although it had re-
mained steadfast to the principles upon which it
was founded—political as well as charitable. The
agitation which had teken place throughout Poland
had induced some of the warmest friends of the as-
sociation to urge the abandonment of it as a politi-
cal society, but others were of opinion that it should
abandon the relief of destitute Polish refugees.
While it had taken no part in the active attempts
which had been made to restore Poland to its na-
tionality, it had taken no step, which some mis-
guided people in t.aeir zeal had attributed to it, of
throwing impediments in the way of that desirable
event. In relieving the distress of Polish refugees
they had been formerly assisted by Polish proprie-
tors, but of late that assistance had fallen exceed-
ingly short, on account of the requirements of their
brethren engaged in their patriotic struggle for
liberty. In England, while on the one hand Roman
Catholics had regarded with indifference the wants
and neceseities of their Polish brethren, the large
ass of English Protestants had abstained through
a belief that Cie struggle in Poland was a move-
ment in support cf the Roman Catholic religion.
In 1863 the average nittuber of Poles in this coun-
try was 730 ; 5 had died, And 53 had left the coun-
try, leaving 672. After asserting that the infpeeds
ieg partitioning of Denmark wee the result of the
policy of the English Government in refusing to
join France in a remonstrance to Russia as to her
conduct towards Poland, the report concluded by cu-
forcing the opinion that an understanding between
France and England was the best guarantee for a
durable alliance between the two countriea and for
the protection of the weaker States from the danger
in which they were constantly placed by the an-
principled ambition of the partitioning Powers.
The balance-sheet for the years of 1861, 1862, and
1863 showed the receipts for that period to be
£1.630 6s. 6d., and the gross expenditure £1,627
15s. 6d., leaving a balance of £2 118.
The Rev. Dr. WORTHINGTON moved, and the
Rev. IL PALMER seconded, the adoption of the re-.
port, which was carried unanimously.
The Earl of HARROWBY moved a resolution de-
claring that, ore a careful comparison of the terms
of the Treaty of Vienna relating to the junction of
Poland and Russia with the notorious eonduct And
avowed principles of Russia since that junction%
that those terms have not teen fu;filled tither in
letter or spirit, but, on the contrary, have been fla-
grantly violated; that the union of the two coun-
tries is consequently, as dependent on the Treaty of
Vienna, null end void, and that, whether so declared
by Governments parties to that treaty or not, the
logical deduction remains good as a matter of fact—
viz , that the conditions of the engagement taken
having been broken the obligation had fallen to the
ground. The nob.e earl observed that while this re-
solution embodied his sentiments generally, he dis-
approved holding out, as a cruel delusion to the
Poles struggling for liberty and against the tyranny
of Russia, any hope of active foreign intervention
in their behalf.

Lord CAMPBELL having seconded the resolution,
Mr. EDMUND BEALES denied the position taken
by the Earl of Harrowby that a war on account and
on behalf of Poland would not have the sympathy
of the people of tt.is country.
The CHAIRMAN, Sir HENRY I.IOARE, the Marquis
of Townsend, and others having spoken upon the
question, the resolution was put and carried.
Mr. JOHN ABEL SMITH moved, " That the Mar-
quis Townsend, the Earl of Shaftesbury, the Earl
of liarrowby, the Earl of Zetland, Lord Kinnaird,
Lord Campbell, Lord Diary, and Lord Houghton
be elected vice-presidents for the ensuing year.
The motion was seconded by Mr. G. DERING and
carried.
Sir HENRY HOARE moved that the Earl of Itches-
ter be elected president, which was seconded by Mr.
W. ADAM SMITH, and carried neat. con, amid loud
applause.
The Earl of ILCHESTER returned thanks, and
expressed a strong conviction that the Government
of the country had not taken up the cause of Poland
so energetically as they ought to have done.
The council for the cutting year and Mr. W.
Lloyd Birkbeck as honorary secretary having been
re-elected, thanks were awarded to the chairman,
and the proceedings closed.