The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-02 00:00:00

SHE POLISH INSURRECTION.

A public meeting, convened by the Polish National
Committee for Great Britain and Ireland, was held
last evening at St. Martin's Hall, Long-acre, in
commemoration of the late struggles of the Poles
for national independence, and to express sympathy
with and obtain relief for the suffering Polish
patriots. The Marquis Townshend occupied the
chair, and was supported by a large number of
gentlemen, and several distinguished Polish exiles.
Mr. T. R. TAYLOR, who acted as secretary to the
meeting, read letters of apology for non-attendance
but sympathising heartily with the objects of the
meeting, from Mr. Stansfeld, M.P., Mr. P. Taylor,
M.P., Mr. W. Coningham, late M.P. for Brighton,
Mr. T. Richardson, and several other gentlemen.
The CHAIRMAN was received with loud cheers. He
said he had cheerfully responded to the invitation
to preside on the present occasion, sympathising, as
he did, with the cause of Polish independence. This
meeting had been convened by a body of Polish
gentlemen to commemorate the late glorious struggle
in Poland, none the less glorious because it was un-
successful. (Hear.) He had often publicly stated
his appreciation of 'the noble heroism which had
characterised the people of Poland during the late
struggle, and he regretted that the people of Eng-
land had not come forward some time back in a
more determined manner in behalf of that unhappy
and long-suffering people. (Hear.) The people
of England had missed that, as they had done on
other occasions, the opportunity of rendering mate-
rial assistance to weak and oppressed nationalities.
(ean) It was all very well for some people to tell
the Poles to bear their sufferings with patience, but
patience under some circumstances was a crime.
(Hear..) If Englishmen had remained patient under
the oppressions from which they once suffered, and
not risen repeatedly in insurrection, where would
have been the liberties of England ? (Cheers.) The
Poles were in a worse condition than the people
of any other country on the Continent. The
whole rights of men and. freemen who denied to
them, and it was too much to expect them to re-
main patient under this oppression. (Hear.) He,
at least, was not one of those who would advise
them. (Hear.) Another object of the meeting
was to render sympathy and support to the Poles,
who were suffering for the part they had taken in
the struggle for the independence of their country.
He thought on that point at least there would be no
difference of opinion. (Hear.) The meeting would
be addressed by several gentlemen well acquainted
with the present condition of Poland, who would
lay before them a very different picture from the
state of that country presented by the parasites of
Russia, Prussia, and Austria, in a considerable por-
tion of the press in this and other countries.
(Hear.) In conclusion, he desired publicly to ex-
press his hearty and cordial sympathy with the cause
of Polish nationality. (Loud cheers.)
M. A. ZABICKI, secretary of the Polish National
Committee, then read a long and eloquent address
from the committee to the people of Great Britain
and Ireland, which was received with much sym-
pathy and applause.
The CHAIRMAN announced that a deputation from
Poland were present, who had brought with them
an address to the people of England, which Mr.
Beales would read to the meeting.
Mr. BEALES then read the address, which was
signed Louis Krolikowski, president, and Count de
Smaglowski, secretary.
Mr. EDMOND BEALES then rose to move the first
resolution as follows :—" That the deliberate de-
struction of the independence and nationality of
Poland, now being carried into effect by Russia, in
defiance of the rights of nations, the faith of trea-
ties, and the repeated official assurances given to the
Western Powers; is a danger and insult to Europe,
and abhorrent, to all the principles of freedom,
humanity, and civilisation." It was in the hour of
adversity that they could best show their devotion
to the cause they all loved. After the addresses
they had hoard hum tho Poloo thozi-lociroo, ho
thought this meeting would heartily unite in pro-
testing against the present policy towards Poland.
(Hear.) Lord Lyndhurst, eight years ago, had
denounced in the House of Lords the conduct of
Russia and Europe generally towards Poland.
If this conduct deserved reprobation eight
years since, how much more does it deserve condem-
nation at the present time, when our Government,
and the other Governments of Europe, had deserted
in the most shameful manner the cause of Polish na-
tionalty, and looked on coldly while the people of
Poland were being murdered and her liberty des-
troyed by Russia. The conduct of Russia towards
Poland had been one continuous course of violation
of truth, justice, and the most solemn treaties.
(Hear.) He then proceeded to recapitulate, at great
length, the conduct of Russia to Poland for a long
series of years past ; every treaty and promise had
been shamefully violated, and spoliation and con-
fiscation had been, and still was, the order of the
day. Not only was international law and treaties
violated, but attempts were now being made to de-
stroy the very existence of Poland ; and yet our
Government, who had been a party to these violated
treaties, were willing to remain on terms of friend-
ship with that brutal Power who was thus outrag-
ing every principle of Christianity and humanity.
(Cheers.) Poland, in her late struggle, was aban-
doned by this country, and what were the first
fruits of this policy—the attack of Prussia and Aus-
tria on Denmark, on pretence of securing the liberty
of Schleswig-Holstein, but which appeared to be as
far off as ever. So that the two Powers who had
assisted Russia in violating her treaties on behalf of
Poland, actually attacked Denmark on the pretence
that she had violated the treaty of London. Such
consummate hypocrisy was one fruit of the wretched
policy of the English Government towards Poland.
(Hear.) He concluded a long and eloquent speech
with a tribute to the noble chairman for occupying
his present position, and calling on the meeting to
support the Polish National Committee in their
laudable and patriotic efforts on behalf of their be-
trayed, unhappy, and heroic countrymen.
Mr. WIEASS seconded the resolution. As a work-
ing man he begged leave, on behalf of that class, to
disclaim any participation in the heartless conduct
of the English Government towards Poland. He
had a firm faith in the future of that country.
(Hear.)
The resolution was then put to the meeting, and
was carried unanimously with loud cheers.
Mr. BEALES then read an address of the founder
of an institute established at Paris for the mental
cultivation of young Polish refugees, signed " Alex-
ander Zabulike."
Mr. MONTAGU LEVERSON moved the second reso-
lution as follows That the sufferings of the
patriots of Poland, victims of an insurrection into
which they were purposely forced by a long series of
the most intolerable tyranny and oppression, and in
which, as usual, their undaunted valour and devoted
heroism succumbed only to
enormously superior
force, entitle them to our warmest and deepest sym-
pathies, and that a fund be raised and subscriptions
invited for their relief." He contended at some
length for the natural capacity of the Poles for self -
government, a more striking instance of which could
not be given than the manner in which the orders
of the late National Government were obeyed by
the whole Polish people, although they had only
moral power to induce obedience. He believed there
was an indomitable determination on the part of the
people of Poland to obtain, at all risks and all
hazards, their independence of the brutal Muscovite.
He was ashamed to say that England, who had ex-
pended her blood and treasure in behalf of legiti-
macy and tyranny, had stood aloof from one of the
most glorious struggles that had taken place in
modern times. (Cheers.)
Mr. NICHOLAY seconded the resolution. Poland
was at present kept down by brute force, but the
time must come when she will again stand as a na-