The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-30 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

TIMES.—It is now about a hundred years since
Stanislaus Poniatowski ascended the throne of
Poland. He oSeetl. his elevation mainly to the Em-
press Catherine of Russia, With sehom he was be-
lieved to be united by ties more tender than those of
mere political sympathy. It might have been stp-
posed that the same Power which placed him on
the throne would have lent him aid to maintain
himself there; and so it might have been but
for the aggressive and rapacious genius of the
King of Prussia. He held out to Austria the
allurement of an accession of territory by the par-
tition of Poland, and, when he had gained over
that Court, he arranged, with infinite bargaining
and haggling, the share which Russia was to receive
in compensation for the abandonment of her friend
and ally. The whole thing was managed by the
three Powers with a mixture of barefaced injus-
tice and odious hypocrisy. They seized upon the
territories which they had allotted to themselves,and
they published a manifesto, in which they repre-
sented themselves as actuated by justice, benevo-
lence, and generosity. They pointed to the internal
dissensions of Poland. They expressed apprehen-
sions for the welfare of surrounding nations, unless
something were done to check them. They were
anxious to settle the ancient Constitution of Poland
and to establish its national and popular liberties
on a solid basis; and, as they foresaw that the har-
mony and friendship then existing among them
might no always continue, they insisted on the re-
cognition of particular claims to various territories
which they did not wish to expose to the hazard
of future contingencies. Their dignity, they said,
and their regard for justice would not permit them to
yield beyond a certain point to the dictates of their
natural moderation. The essential interest of their
Crowns would not permit them to renounce their
claims; and if the King of Poland had any com-
passion for his people, he would not, by refusing to
call a Diet, expose them to violence and injury.
The Diet was elected under the bayonets of three
invading armies. It surrendered all that was de-
manded, and the King flung his hat on the floor
and told them if no greater territory than that hat
covered were left him, he would still be in the eyes
of all Europe their lawful but unfortunate King.
Such was the first act of that long tragedy which
for a hundred years has exhibited the insolent
triumph of might over right, and made Poland the
just object of the sympathy, the compassion, and
the indignation of every civilised country in the
world. These evil deeds let loose a host of the most
grievous evils upon Europe. They co-operated
with the new philosophy which was sapping the
foundations of society and government, and taught
mankind to believe that Kings could be as wicked
and statesmen es base as the pen of Rousseau or
Condorcet could represent them. If the French
Revolution shook down the edifice, its pillars were
loosened and its foundations undermined by the
partition of Poland. The blood and tears of a
quarter of a century of war and desolation have not
effeced the traces of the partition of Poland from
those countries of Europe which were least con-
cerned in the event. He must be an inattentive
observer indeed who does not trace in the events
which are now passing before our eyes, if not an
exact historical parallel, at any rate a resemblance
sufficiently striking to encourage the most gloomy
anticipations. Ever since the partition of Poland all
Europe has been pretending at least to deplore and
condemn it. Nobody justifies it now. In words, at
least, it is universally repudiated. The Kings, the
Ministers, the Generals, the diplomatists who
brought it about are held in universal execration ;
and yet we seem likely to see acted before our eyes
a repetition of all the most hateful parts of this
execrable drama. We have the same injustice and
covetousness, veiled under the same specious and
honourab:e professions. That which the love of
peace and order and the apprehension of territorial
disturbance was to the Powers who dismembered
Poland the desire of supporting a distressed and
einared nationality is to Prussia and Austria. 'While
lamenting over the wrongs of a people condemned
to speak the Danish language and to be severed
from their own free and happy fatherland, Prussia
is merely regarding her little neighbour with the
same feeling as turned the eyes of Ahab towards
the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. Her talk is
autonort y and personal union ; her thoughts are of
cities and harbours, of bays and islands. Pretext
after pretext has been adopted and thrown aside
with cynical recklessness so soon as it has served
her turn. The first masquerade was played off
under the visor of scrupulous legality. The Getman
Confederecy took up arms to vindicate the wrongs
undergone by the Duchy of Holstein at the hands
of a foreign Prince on whom the dukedom had de-
scended. Holstein was occupied for the purpose of
Federal execution, just as Poland was occupied that
the Diet might deliberate freely. The pretence
served its purpose, and was scornfully cast aside.
Schleswig must next be seized, and the only ground
that could be invented for seizing it was the not
very specious pretext that a material guarantee was
needed that full justice should be done to Holstein,
and, as it was begun to be suggested, to Schleswig
also. War appeared is its most hideous form,
thousands of in noeent and industrious people were
reduced to misery. To make the whole thing com-
plete, the Powers who had I oiled themselves by
solemn treaties to respect the title of the reigning
monarch—indeed, to whom, like Poniatowski, he
may be said to be indebted for his throne—brought
with them a Pretender, whose claims had been pur-
chased for an ample consideration as a preliminary
to the treaty establishing the right of the present
King of Denmark, to which their signatures were
,iffixed. This Pretender, who dared not remain a
day in the country without their patronage and en-
couragetTentr has been further assisted by the dis-
missal of the ,2fficials established by the lawful King,
and has been sutT'red to enter into relations with
the people of the Ducet'ies utterly inconsistent with
the attitude of neutralitj implied in the idea of
a Federal execution in one _l-4tlebY and the seiz-
ing on a pledge or material g;: grantee in the
other. The Danish army, like te;e Poles, has
offered a brave but an unavailing resistances, but the
effusion of blood could not be stayed, because Prus-
sia felt it her duty to distinguish herself in war,
and had gained one of those happy opportunities
where a small nation, being piqued on the point of
honour, must fight, even though defeat to itself, and
consequently victory to its antagonist, be absolutely
certain. It may be doubted whether even this pros
Cession was sincere, and whet her the pretence or a
desire to acquire cheap and inglorious laurels did
not hide the wish to place Denmark absolutely at
the mercy of the invaders, and thus to remove the
only obstacle to territorial aggrandizement. The
obstinacy of the Danish Government has been a
most powerful auxiliary to the covetousness of its
invaders. It has fought just enough to give them
the excuse they needed, and not enough to throw
any serious obstacle in the way of their progress.
It is not, indeed, as it was a hundred years ago,
when such things could be done by the strong
against the weak without any serious protest or
remonstrance. The Powers involved in this course
of double-dealing must give an account of their acts
before an European Conference. Opinion has been
able, so far at least, to assert its claim to be heard,
even amid the promptings of ambition and the ela-
tion of success. But hero, we greatly fear, its
triumphs are destined to end. Austria, though
having in the instance of Denmark no direct terri-
torial acquisition to strive for, is, nevertheless, too
fearful of compromising her relations to the smaller
Powers of Germany, slid too subservient to Prussia,
to atop short in the course of which she is destined
to share the discredit without gaining the substan-
tial advantage. Prussia, with the game almost
within her grasp, stimulated by an aristocracy ea eer
above all things to turn the mind of the nation
from domestic lo foreign policy, and elated by a
cheap success, is even less likely to give way ; and
France seems inclined, with all the enthusiasm of
a convert, to overact the part of a peacemaker, and
to neutralize her influence in the hope of extin-
guishing all distrust of her intentions. We greatly
fear the result will be triumph of the men of action
over the men of words, the overthrow of the just
policy of the Western Powers by the superiority
always obtained by those who are ready to appeal
to force.

POST.—To those who watch with interest the pro-
ceedings of the Conference (and who does not ?) it
may possibly occasion some surprise that obstacles
should be raised in lirnine to the conclusion of an
armistice. The ostensible object with which the
Danish territories were in the first instance invaded
has been attained, and the Prussian troops have
covered themselves with what to them at least
appears military glory, Schleswig is now, from
the Baltic to the German Ocean, in the occupation
of the allies, and both on the Danowirke and the
redoubts of Duppel sufficient Danish cannon have
been taken to suffice for the construction of a grand
military trophy to commemorate to the most distant
posterity the prowess of the German arms. The
bead-quarters of the Danish army have quitted
Alien, and probably within a few days that little
appurtenance of Schleswig will share the sate of
that Duchy. Germany has now all she demanded,
and, so far as we have the means of judging, all
which she desires, and yet still we receive daily in-
telligence of the onward march of Austrian and
Prussian legions into the province of Jutland, and
still the appeals made by the great neutral Powers
in the cause of peace fall upon deaf ears. It was
announced, and with truth, that when the Confer-
ence met an armistice would be proposed by the
English plenipotentiaries. That proposal was sup-
ported by the representatives of the neutral Powers,
but was coupled with conditions which the German
representatives professed themselves unable, with.
out instructio.P, either to refuse or to eecept, The

culiar
Dthaant,o-wGheirlmstatnhewGarerhmasanbseenotsosetshseisa
aexnte(;terpsve
ing preponderance in respect to land force!, Hi:
Danes had an almost exclusive coma-rand of
Denmark
sea. The only use, however, to which Denve,,
has been enabled t.e turn her naval superiority
_oi:re
been to blockade the German ports. a 'sleirece,
which, however injuriotte to an enemy's corn ei
pisorthrieerssofata
sneeartthiveeGtehramn,an positivepowers
acrheasr:eiod::r„:'
have made it a necessary condition of the suFP
sion of hostilities that the bleekade should
raised and their commerce relieved from tei;:
serious restrictions at present impn3ed u P°Atltioo
"Under ordinary circumstances each a gent con— :11.
might seem reascnab[e, but that in Veto
stance it is not so must appear on a little- refleorthe
The German Powers have second posseesi,an ei se.
Duchies, and if an armistice were agreed uporl',de,
cotnpanied by a suspension of the existing bloc
the aggressive Powers would have no motive a,
bringing the proceedings of the Conference 1°.9,
speedy close. They could lose nothing, when
they might gain much by delay. An armistice, er'd
the basis of the military uti possidetis 'could alvie,
them every facility for revolutionising the Ducb .vi,
and effecting such changes as would render it ciao
possible for flee signitaries of the Treaty of Lon
to require that the; should subsequently be restorole,
to Denmark. Agaiost such a contingency. is
Danish Government are bound to provide, ace, of
desiring to reserve the maintenance of the rig i 4
to ret;t,
blockade, they simply wish not so much
the means of injuring Germany, as to furnish arse
ducement to the German Powers to bring boat
to a speedy conclusion. Germany nes theong'd at
assumed so high a tone that we are not surkriserio
the disdainful manner in which the official jver'tiaa
in Vienna and Berlin have treated a euggesbe
which at the Conference received the support
neutral Powers. But, after all, an armistice .0 he 00,
shape or other is only a matter of time ; and, 'g
ever desirous the Germans might be of prosece re,to
hostilities, their possible sphere is so extremely a•
stricted that it would soon become physically
possible for them to find fresh territory to inc, a be
Jutland is almost entirely defenceless, and migu"
occupied in tho course of a few days. One of the
latest telegrams informs us that the General
command of the Danish forces in that province 1-ba
retreated without accepting battle; nor is :ne
astonishing. considering the relative proportleo,
of the German and Danish armies. If the warct°l-to
tinued, Fredericia s ould undoubtedly abere',,,;e
fate of Duppel, and Funen, together with Al—, or'
would pass into German hands. It is therev'st
impossible, however the question is regarded, the,
the Dano-German war can be of long continualleo:
and, such being the case, there is the greater Pro
bability that the preliminary difficulties raised A
the Conference will be speedily cleared avroY'„,e,
suspension of hostilities will, however, be only 1" of
fatory to the discharge of the proper functions"
the Conference. Matters have unfortunately now ato
rived at that pass that Denmark is powerless e.
give effect to any dissent to which she might flair'
it consistent with her dignity to give expeessieDi
Her fate depends exclusively upon the ncetr
Powers, and on them she will be compelled to Tel:,
If they should assent to a proposal for her diaietb,
gration, nought would remain for her but to se t
mit. She might retire from the Conference, bil,a
the withdrawal of her plenipotentiaries would 13. r
avert her destiny. It may be, however, that tie
very helplessness will be to her a source of streog`
The representatives of the Western Powers are 'lea
aware that there is something more at stake tli
the form of administration thenceforth to be csoetv
blished in two obscure Duchies in Northern Eur4c(i
The true nature of the issue was candidly
by the Prussian Prime Minister in December 1:11"0
in a conversation with Lord Wodehonse. It j 9,1
contest between despotic and liberal institutie::;
between constitutional government and that FPfel,;s
of rule to which enlightened Austria and Prc.„s-:
are willing to submit. "Peace," said Count ',"5'4
mark, " will never subsist between Germany er",
Denmark so long as the latter encourages derc°,,c;:g.
tic institutions." It will certainly be eetablis'"id
a strange precedent if the Western Powers 03°11 ;
by endorsing the demands of the German Stat.ifl!
countenance aggression based upon such a ie4,110
cation. We now dismiss from consideration `Ol
claims which Denmark has to the protecticeibe
France and England, and throw out of account is
serious disturbance to the balance of poscert,'
Europe which would be effected by the trensvell,,,-
tion of Germany into a naval Power. When, 11°.;
ever, these considerations are also borne in In—„r
it is impossible to avoid feeling that hone ;e
great may be the straits to which Dennasr'd
driven, her interests will be carefully in otec"s of
at a Conference to which the representative° if,
France and Great Britain have admission. 6eto
interest furnishes the strongest of all motive', rl
human action, and it may be a source of satisfacoehe
to Denmark to know that, feeble though she i6ltl"f
force of circumstances has mule her cause eclu4'il'o
that of the two most powerful maritime Power°
the world.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

---------•1-----

LIVERPOOL—FRIDAY.
There was a better attendance of the town and coil eII
trade to-day, and wheat met a good consumptive derudo
at about 2d per cental dearer. Flour sells more ref!
but prices as before. Indian corn met an improlawit
quiry, and we quote 3d on the week. Oats ld per to
and oatmeal 3d to 6d per load against buyers. De
peas, and bailey all tending in the same direction.

LINCOLN—FRIDAY.
nr, t 29'
White wheat new, 38s to 42
' Barley, grinding. • , ° ° 06i
Red do. 36s to 39s 1 Oats, old, .. ...... 24s to ',9
Old white --s to —9 New;do 193 to kii,
Red do.. —s to s I Beans.. 408 t° so
Barley, malting...33s to 35s 1 Beans, new 346 t°

WAKEFIELD—FRIDAY. e Al
The wheat trade was firm, and the sales made sce,,ot.
rather over last Friday's quotations. Beaus fully 08"
In other articles there was no material change.
Averages for the week :
Wheat 6-8 qrs., at 398 21d
Rye — -8 Od
8ar1ey......... L 787
Beans
Peas .... 80
Oats lO4 .. 183 Sid

STAMFORD—FRIDAY.
White wheat, 39s to 42s ; red, 38s to 40s per 36 st°lfr,
Barley, malting, 33s to :;5s ; grinding, 29s to 32a pet ,e:
Oats, 18s to 228 pet 24 stone. Beans, old, 40s to —.431
qr. ; now, 34s to 365.