The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-05 00:00:00

sincerest and most cordial assistance. This
(
good understanding required circumspection, and
I must therefore have believed the Polish question
very popular in France, not to hesitate in compro-
mising one of the first alliances of the Continent,
and to raise my voice in favour of a nation rebel-
lious in the eyes of Russia, but in ours the inheritor
of a right written in history and in treaties.
Nevertheless, this question touches upon the
grayest European interests. It could not be treated
solely by France. An insult to our honour or a
threat against our frontiers, alone impose upon us
the duty of acting without previous concert. It,
eventstherefore,in the E
became necessary,
d in
eacnessary,sayis
as at, tthoe
cometime ofto thane
understanding with the Powers, who had to pro-
nounce themselves upon reasons and rights similar

o ours.
The Polish insurrection, to which its duration
imparted a national character, aroused sympathies
in all quarters, and the object of diplomacy was to
attract to this cause as many adhesions as possible,
in order to bring the whole weight of the opinion
of Europe to bear upon Russia. This almost unani-
mous agreement of wishes appeared to us the fittest
method of bringing persuasion to operate upon the
Cabinet of St. Petersburg. Unfortunately our dis-
interested counsels have been interpreted as an in-
timidation, and the steps of England, of Austria,
and France, in place of arresting the struggle,
have only envenomed it. Excesses are committed
upon both sides, equally to be deplored, in the name
of humanity. 'What remains, therefore, to be done ?
Are we reduced to the only alternative of war
or silence ? No ! Without resorting to arms, and
without being silenced, one resource is open to us.
This is to submit the Polish cause to an European
tribunal. Russia has already declared that confe-
rences in which all other questions which agitate
Europe should be debated, would in no degree
wound her dignity. Let us take note of this decla-
ration. May it serve to extinguish once for all
the ferment of disorders ready to burst forth
upon all sides, and from the uneasiness
in which Europe is in all directions tra-
versed by the elements of dissolution, may a new
era of order and peace spring forth. Is not the
time come to reconstruct, upon fresh bases, the
edifice undermined by time, and destroyed piece-
meal by revolution ? Is it not urgent to recog-
nise, by new conventions, that which has been
irrevocably accomplished, and to carry out by
common agreement what the peace of the world
required. The treaties of 1815 have ceased to
exist. The force of events has overthrown, or
tends to overthrow, them almost everywhere. They
have been broken in Greece, in Belgium, in France,
in Italy, as upon the Danube. Germany is agitat-
ing to alter them; England has generously modi-
fied them, by the cession of the lonian Islands ; and
Russia treads them under foot at Warsaw. In the
midst of this successive alteration of the fundamental
European fact, ardent passions become over excited,
powerful interests demand solution in the South as
well as in the North. What, then, can be more legi.
timate and more sensible than to convoke the
Powers of Europe to a Congress in which self-love
and resistance would disappear in face of a supreme
arbitrage ? What can be more in conformity with
the ideas of the age, with the wishes of the
greatest number, than to address ourselves to the
conscience—to the reason of statesmen in all coun-
tries, and to say :—Have not the prejudices
and rancour which divide us already lasted long
enough? Is the jealous rivalry of the Great
Powers incessantly to obstruct the progress of
civilization ? Shall we be constantly casting de-
fiance at each other by exaggerated armaments ?
Are our most precious resources to be indefinitely
exhausted in vain ostentation of our strength ?
Shall we eternally preserve a position which
is neither peace with its security, nor
war with its chances of success ? Let
us no longer give factitious importance to
the subversive spirit of extreme parties by op-
posing ourselves with narrow calculations to the
legitimate aspirations of peoples. Let us have the
courage to substitute a regular and stable situation
for an unhealthy and precarious condition, even if
it should cost sacrifices. Let us meet without a
preconceived system, without exclusive ambition,
animated by the sole thought of establishing an
order of things based henceforth upon the well-
understood interests of the sovereign and of the
peoples.

I cannot but believe that this appeal
would be listened to by all. A refusal
would lead . to the supposition of secret
projects which fear the light of day, but
even if the proposal should not be unanimously
adopted, it would have the immense advantage of
having shown Europe where lies danger and where
safety. Two ways are open. The one leads to pro-
gress through conciliation and peace, the other,
sooner or later, conducts to war by the obstinacy of
maintaining a past which is rolling away.
You know now, gentlemen, the tone which I pro-
pose to adopt towards Europe. Approved by you,
sanctioned by the public assent, it cannot fail to be
listened to, for I speak in the name of France.

The above telegram was transmitted by the Sub-
marine Telegraph Company in the short space o:
one hour.

THE POLISH INSURRECTION.
THORN, Nov. 5.

It is stated on reliable authority that the Grand
Duke Constantine will be relieved from his func-
tions as Governor of Poland, and will travel abroad.
Gen. Berg is to be definitively appointed his
successor.

LEMBERG, Nov. 4.

The insurgent corps," numbering it is said 600
infantry and 230 cavalry, which advanced on Sun-
day into Volhynia, having been pressed by the
Russians, laid down their arms yesterday in the
district of Zolkieu, in Galicia.

400 men, with arms and munitions, and upwards
of 100 horses, surrendered to the Austrians.

SWEDEN.

STOCKHOLM, Nov. 5.
The official Gazette, in a leading article upon the
Dano-German conflict, says :—" It is now by no
means the fault of Denmark if peace should be
disturbed."

SPAIN.
MADRID, Nov. 4.
The opening of the Spanish Cortes took place
to-day.

The Queen's speech states that friendly relations
continue with foreign nations, and that the project
of constitutional reform is definitively resolved
upon. The position of Senators will, in future,
be hereditary. The speech announces that no
diminution will be made in the budget. her
Majesty deplores the insurrection which has
broken out at St. Domingo, and hopes for the
assistance of the Spanish nation in its repression.