The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-27 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1354.

We are by no means disposed to linger over
the reminiscences of the past, or to speculate too
curiously on the probable consequences that would
have followed a different line of policy from that,
in the first instance, adopted by her MAJESTY'S Go-
vernment. We are quite willing to let bygones
be bygones. So long as the vigour and resolu-
tion be displayed which the magnitude of the
emergency so imperatively de.nands, and so lon,
as the spirit evinced in the recent speeellel,
of Lords CLARENDON, PALMERSTON, and Jou:,
RUSaELL be fairly and unequivocally maintained.
so long will we afford our most strenuous assist-

auto to those who, even at the eleventh hour.
are endeavouring to vindicate the honour and ta
advance the interests of Great Britain. We look
not, then, to the events of last year, but rather,
as Lord CLARENDON demanded, " to tEe condition
in which we now stand, and to the prospects that ar -
before us !" But we believe it to be an indispema
able duty to examine more closely the probab]t
results of the war than the Noble Secretary fo_
Foreign Afflirs was prepared to do, and to indi-
cate to the Government the feelings and wislie-;
of the overwhelming majority of the people, an, k
the nature and extent of the requisitions which
must be satisfied before the sword which we have
been compelled reluctantly to draw can be again
restored to the scabbard.
It may not be convenient for Ministers to dis-
cuss in either branch of the Legislature the im-
portant question of " What is to be the result of
the war ?" But it is exceedingly desirable that
the independent journals should enter into that
consideration, and investigate the matter in all
its varied aspects. Thus will the chosen advisers
of her MAJESTY know what is expected at their
hands. Thus will they know how to frame mea-
sures tending towards the attainment of those
objects, and thus will they know how far they
may rely upon the support of the nation, and be
enabled clearly to discern the course which they
must pursue, if they hope to obtain the great
reward of the labours of the statesman--the re-
spect and admiration of a grateful country.
Lord CLARENDON has himself vindicated the ne-
cessity for turning the war into which we
have been forced by the unparalleled insolence
and aggression of the adversary, to good account.
He has unequivocally acknowledged that clouds
have long been hovering in the political horizon,
that "we are apps oaching, or already embarked
in, that great question which has long been fore-
seen, and long postponed by all the able and clear-
sighted statesmen of Europe !" and that "as
we are forced into it, not by our own consent, it
ought to be settled once for all ! "
The position and power of Russia it was that
gave cause for these serious and well-founded ap-
prehensions—that made all the able and clear-
sighted statesmen of Europe clearly distinguish
the approaching storm ; and if we are to du that
"which is necessary for the future tranquillity
and security of Europe"--aif we are "to take
solid guarantees that Europe may not again be
deprived of the great blessings of peace"—we
Inud effectually reduce the strength of " the
Single
roan-holding, despotic Power, and irres-
ponsible for the exercise of it over many
I lions
Of people !"
The very principle of despotism—the imperious
and uncontrolled will of an individual—is indeed
as irreconcileahie with the welfare and safety of
other nations as it is of his own kindom. The
voice of g public opinion has no influence with
such a person. Ile pursues a course of
aggrandisement, without b •
self-aggrandisement, being restrained by
any of the motives that
affect ordinary
A species of insanity,
men.or monomania, in-
duces him to think that he is elevated above the
level of humanity, and little inferior even to the
DEITY. The very principle of autocracy should
therefore be annihilated, or at least the power for
mischief of those by whom it is wielded
impaired
and crippled, if we desire to obtain any
security for a permanent and lasting peace.
_
How, then, can that great desideratum be
achieved ? How can we most effectually prevent
Russia from again despoiling her neighbours and
enriching herself at the expense of those
who have the misfortune to be placed in
Such dangerous proximity ? Simply by cona-
Palling her to disgorge the plunder of past
ages, and to restore to the lawful owners the
'ulaltviesa or couperecl territories, and to abolifth