The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-23 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1854.

An excellent effect has been produced in Paris
by the publication of the Secret and Confidential
Correspondence between the British and Russian
Governments. It is recognised by the people of
France that they have no longer any reason what-
ever to look with jealousy on Perfide Albion—
the documents constituting this secret and confi-
dential correspondence demonstrating in the
clearest manner the perfect honesty and good faith
of her Britannic MAJESTY'S Government. A
little later we shall hear of the. effect produced
by this same revelation at Berlin and Vienna.
It cannot but be perceived then, both by
Austria and Prussia, that England has displayed
the utmost fairplay throughout towards their
respective Governments. Not that the know-
ledge of this honourable course on the part of
the British Cabinet will be sufficient to emanci-
pate the German Powers from the thraldom in
which they have been so long held by the pre-
dominance of the great Northern Autocracy. But
that a sentiment of compunction may be thereby
infused into the policy of the Councils at Pots-
dam and at Schoenbrunn, such as may ultimately,
perchance, dissipate the rigorous neutrality resolved
upon by the two Administrations. In the French
capital, as we have seen, the liveliest satisfaction
has been manifested at the scrupulously straight-
forward conduct of England in resisting, from the
first to the last, the evil influence of the CZAR'S
gorgeous and insidious temptations. It is perceived
by our Gallic neighbours that our Ministers would
never for an instant yield to the suggestion of the
AUTOCRAT that the fate of the Ottoman Empire
should be in any way arranged without our hav-
ing first consulted the wishes of the other great
Powers of Europe—but more especially without
our having first submitted the whole question
formally to the consideration of the French Go-
vernment.

Everything, indeed, tends to indicate more and
more clearly that the alliance between France and
England is based upon motives more stable than
those of merely a prudential character. The
compact entered into bj the two Powers has
been drawn from a nobler source than one
constituted solely by reasons of convenience.
It is an actual and not simply a nominal -union,
having for its object the maintenance of the
loftiest principles—those principles most con-
sonant with the holier dogmas of Christianity.
It is an alliance having for its objects the preser-
vation of Order, the vindication of Right, the
consolidation of an enduring tranquillity. It is one
which aims chiefly at restoring the world to peace,
and by so doing conducing the most effectually
to the more rapid and extended development of
civilisation. The alliance of France and England
is an alliance in the cause of justice, and not in
that of a lawless and selfish ambition. It is an
union effected for the protection of the weak and
the punishment of the powerful—not for purposes
(we repeat here what we have before now asserted)
of commercial, or political, or territorial aggran-
disement. Originating in these noble motives,
this alliance does not reveal in it the seeds
of its dissolution. It bears no resemblance what-
ever to the compact between two robber states—
a compact maintained only so long as the atrocity
resolved upon is in course of accomplishment.
Whatever victories, won by land or by sea, may
be ours in the approaching struggle, they must be
victories of which France and England shall be
mutually proud, achieved as they will be for
nobler objects than those enhancing the martial
or maritime glory of the two countries—a glory,
by the way, that needs no enhancement. With
Russia, on the contrary, it has been, is now, and
will be altogether otherwise. For Russia has con-
trived, by the blundering arrogance of her ruler,
to place herself in a position wholly and entirely,
to all intents and purposes, insulated. Turkey is
against her—against her in arms, and as yet vic-
toriously. France and England are against her
together, by an almost unparalleled combination
of circumstances. Her obsequious shadow, Prussia
nay, her alter ego, Austria each withdraw
from the responsibility of aiding her in the ter-
rible conflict with the Western Powers—finding
refuge from that unacceptable peril in the alter-
native of a pusillanimous neutrality. Denmark
and Sweden adopt a bolder course, by declaring
themselves for a neutral policy of an armed and
defensive character. Persia holds herself aloof,
while Egypt is sending auxiliaries eagerly and spon-
taneously to her liege suzerain at Constantinople.
All the while—Hungary looking for the signal
of its second and more secure emancipation, and
Poland watching with faith in her heart, and
valour in her eye, and energy in her hands for
the day which may now very speedily witness
the glory of her restoration. At such a juncture
as this it is something more than simply gratify-
ing—it is matter for grateful exultation—to ob-
serve the happy effect produced at Paris by the
publication, at the most fortunate moment and in
the very nick of time, of this Secret and Confi-
dential correspondence between the British and
Russian Governments. •

A vigorous and decided step has at length been
taken in reference to the unfortunate dispute be-
tween the masters and men in the manufacturing
districts. It appears that COWELL, GiumsrrAw,
WADDINGTON, and other delegates, and committee
men (nine in all) were arrested ; and it is under-
stood that warrants have been issued against others
of the leaders in the labour movement. On Tuesday
and yesterday the case against the parties was gone
into, and the charges preferred in due form. It was
for a conspiracy, the overt act being the sending
back the strangers brought to the town to fill the
places previously occupied by the turn-outs.
After a prolonged investigation, the Magistrates
decided on sending for trial, at the Liverpool
Assizes, COWELL, GRIMSHAW, GALLAGHER, LANG,
GARDNER, WOOD, and BROCKLEHURST. Bail was,
however, taken for their appearance, which was
speedily forthcoming, and the accused were dis-
charged from custody. The turn-outs, although
greatly excited at the proceedings againstjtheir
leaders, remained peaceable.
It is not our practice at any time to prejudge
a question that still remains sub judice, neither
should we desire to see men subjected to stringent
punishment for acts committed under the impres-
sion that they were pursuing a strictly legal course
in furtherance of the interests of the class to
which they belonged, and of which, to a certain
extent, at least, they were the recognised repre-
sentatives. We shall not, therefore, enter at pre-
sent into any
consideration of the point as to
whether the accused have transgressed the limits
within which they were confined, as well by the
spirit as the letter of the law. That will, in all
human prQbability; be discussed bef9re a compe-