The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-24 00:00:00

;

LONDON, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1854.

Procrastination appears to be the order of the
day at the Crimea. As it was from the beginning
of the Russian Aggression, so has it continued up
to the present time, and such, probably, will be
the case to the end of the chapter. A little
promptitude and decision in the first instance
would altogether have, averted hostilities. Had
our Ministers spoken out clearly and unequi-
vocally when Prince MENSCUIKOFP displayed his
arrogance and insolence at the Turkish Capital,
thereby seeking to accelerate the anxiously looked
for moment when the " friendly neighbour" was
to obtain a lion's share of " the sick man's"
assets, the storm would have blown over, and
the crisis averted. Had they distinctly announced
that the passage of the Pruth would be considered
and acted on as a easus belli not a single Cossack
would have entered the Principalities. There
would have been no invasion of the territories of
an independent nation, nor an attempt to seize
by force a " material guarantee " for the
concession of such untenable claims. Had
We subsequently boldly and decisively joined the
pests when, after unparalleled patience and for-
tearance, it was compelled to proclaim war, and
to send its troops to the Danube, that war would
long since have been brought to a conclusion with
a tithe of the cost, both in men and money, which
we have already sustained. There was, however,
no vigour or energy in our councils. We pro-
ceeded according to the approved rules of red-
taplara, and thereby more than quadrupled the
difficulties which we WeNt 'WM' CM to encounter.
We saw during the close of the autumn, the win-
ter, and the early spring, Turkey struggling for
existence without lending a- particle of efficient
aid. The Combined Fleet moved to the Bospho-
rus, but it remained inactive, and suffered the
massacre of Sinope to be perpetrated without
making the slightest effort to prevent or avenge it.
When at length war was proclaimed—when
the gauntlet flung 'down by the AUTOCRAT was
tardily raised—a splendid body of troops en-
camped at Scutari and Varna,
a magnificent and
irresistible fleet navigated the Euxine, but the
same deplorable apathy continued. The Turkish
army, under OMER Pacifa, was engaged in a life-
and-death struggle, Silistria was beleaguered ant
premed to the utmost, but not an English or
French shot was fired against the assailants—not
a bayonet was drawn in aid of our Allies. It
would almost seem as if the object was to suffer
the Turks to be crushed before we assumed the
defensive or actively participated in the war.
Dining cur inactivity we lost more men, and suf-
fered more severely, in every respect, than if we
had acted more boldly and honourably. Red-
tapisw. and diplomacy, however, had their own
way, while our gallant troops and jovial sailors
"Were chafing at their compulsory inaction.
At length the siege of Silistria was raised. The
Russians retired, or rather fled, from the Dobrud-
scha. It was certain that the Ottoman forces
could protect their own territory—that Stamboul,
at least, was safe from any attack. There was
no lossger any pretext for retaining the Allied
Force,* to protect the line of the Balkan.

If ever they were to assume the offensive, the '
time had arrived for so doing. Not merely
weeks, but months were wasted before any de-
cided movement took place. Our intended expe-
dition to the Crimea was universally spoken of—
ample time was given to strengthen the fortifica-
tions of Sebastopol—to select a strong position on
the Alma—to receive additional reinforcements
from Europe and Asia--in fact, to make every
preparation to give a warm reception to the
Western warriors, and, if possible, to defeat the
objects of our enterprise. It was not until nearly
half the month of September had expired that
the debarkation at Old Fort took place. Then,
indeed, when led against the enemy, there was
no lack of energy. Our gallant fellows would
then suffer no delays. They rushed on the ad-
versary, and gained a brilliant and triumphant
victory. But many valuable lives were lost.
Many brave men were maimed or mutilated in
consequence of the previous delay. Many of the
Russian prisoners had belonged to the army of
Moldavia, who could not have taken part in the
1 battle of Alma had a little more promptitude been
i displayed by the Allies.

But the victory was gained, although at a fear-
fully enhanced price, and then procrastination
again prevailed. There was no time to bring up
tents for our soldiers. The brave fellows endured
the greatest hardships and privations. Disease
again thinned their ranks. A more dreaded
enemy than the Russians hovered around our
troops, and mowed down those on whose efficiency
the result of the campaign depended. A change
in the plan of the siege was decided on. The
brilliant flank movement, that constituted Balak-
lava the pivot of our operations, was effected, and
it was hoped that at length the attack would
commence in good earnest. Far from it. The
bombardment, which was expected to begin on
the 3rd or 4th, was still postponed sine die on
the 13th. The Russians, who were so completely
disheartened after the battle of Almathat the mere
rumour of an English attack set them flying,
without an attempt at resistance, were allowed to
beard us to our teeth, to march and countermarch
under our very noses, to carry fresh troops into
Sebastopol—to threaten our position on Balak-
lava, (where they might have caused us the most
serious damage)
,and to concoct mendacious
despatches to the CZAR, who will ascribe to weak-
ness or timidity that which is solely attributable
to the habits of procrastination, so justly stig-
matised.

The same evil principle prevails in every de-
partment. In place of having authentic tele-
graphic accounts from the Crimea in less than
seven days, and full despatches in eight, as
might easily be the case if fast vessels were sta-
tioned between Constantinople and Marseilles, to
make the trip direct from port to port, we do nothing
to expedite the communications, leaving the ordinary
class of boats to perform their important duties,
with all the ordinary delays that might be got rid
of by a trifling degree of energy, and
.for a com-
paratively trifling expense. But nothing can
break through the trammels of red-tapism, or get
rid of the official impediments to the efficient per-
formance of the public service. And even when
despatches of great importance arrive there are
further delays before the natural anxiety of the
people can be appeased, or the yearning for
authentic intelligence gratified. Verily, it would
appear as if the spirit of BASIL, the hero of Miss
EDGEWORTH'S "To-morrow," reigned paramount
in our councils, and defeated every effort at
promptitude, decision, or energy amongst officials.

Sir CHLILLES HOTHAM has sketched forth his
future policy to the inhabitants of Victoria. It
was at a banquet at Geelong that his Excellency
indicated his views for promoting the welfare and
prosperity of the important Colony committed to
his charge. fie assumed the government under
very peculiar and exciting circumstances. As he
truly remarked, he "stood between two systems
of government—the present and the pregnant."
The miraculous discoveries of gold—the boundless
wealth scattered through the auriferous soil, the
rapid increase of every kind—required a man of
great energy, combined with sound judgment and
discretion, to control and direct into suitable
channels that which under less auspicious circum-
stances might prove a source of injury rather than
advantage, a curse in place of a blessing.

The eager rush to the " digging," the " auri
sacra fames" bad disturbed and paralysed the
ordinary branches of industry—for once labour
ruled supreme above capital—the fields remained
uncultivated, the flocks unsheared, so many has-
tened to seek after the precious metal that there
was danger of its being incapable of discharging
its ordinary functions, and those who had iu their
possession the means of purchasing the most ex-
pensive luxuries might possibly:be unable to procure
the ordinary necessaries of life. It was obvious
that what was perfectly suitable to the wants and
exigencies of the colony previous to the gold dis-
coveries would be totally incompatible with the
altered state of affairs. To compare small things
with great, it was as if an individual had been
suddenly raised from the depths of poverty to
boundless wealth, which, if unprepared for the
change, he might waste and misapply, so as to
render it anything but beneficial to himself or

Sir CHARLES HOTHAM is to be the exponent of
the now system. He has to wind up the past and
to inaugurate the future—to effect everything
that will promote rational liberty, taking care that
it is not suffered to degenerate into licentiousness,
to give full security to the rights of property,
without in any degree infringing on those of la-
bour. Speaking of the Constitution recently pro-
mulgated, his Excellency says :—" The people of
this colony have adopted one of the most liberal
constitutions compatible with monarchy that a
people could have. It is a Constitution of your
own choosing, formed by your own representatives,
lauded by the press, and admired by many en-
lightened statesmen, and it now lies before the
SOVEREIGN, waiting for her final sanction. But
when you adopted that Constitution you adopted
with it the principle from which it springs—that
all power proceeds from the people. It is on that
principle that I intend to conduct my Adminis-
tration." This, indeed, is the only true prin-
ciple. The people are the true source of legi-
timate power, and Monarchs are only permitted
to reign in order to enhance the happiness and
prospects of " the many"—" The greatest got,d
to the greatest number" being the desideratum -to
be achieved.

Following up this wise determination, he
declares in favour of that which may be regarded
as the full and unrestricted liberty of the Press_
He says The first element of that principle is
publicity. I intend no reflection by what I am
now going to say. I simply feel bound to state
my firm conviction that, in the present day, a,
Government cannot be conducted with satisfaction
to the people without the fullest and freest com-
munication with the people. It is on this principle
that the new Constitution is based ; and if you
did not intend to adopt that principle fairly and
fully you had no right to found your Constitution
upon it,"
This full publicity is only cotrpatLble with the
triumphs of public opinion, and, therefore, it may
be regarded as the greatest protection to the
most efficient guarantee for freedom. The liberty
of the Press is, indeed, the great palladium of the
liberty
of the subject. The latter can never be
infringed
on
onenwhil i
while former remains inviolable.
regarded as in
But whenthe One i lost, then must the other be
regarded as in immin imminent danger. In fa thenmusttliect,
ty
hebe
are mutually dependent on each other. Without
the liberty of the subject, the liberty of the Press
would be but an empty sound. Without that of

the press, the liberty of the subject could not
long-be _maintained.
His Excellency alluded to two unsatisfactory cir-
cumstancos—the alleged overtrading and the state
of indebtedness in which the colony was said to be
involved.. These matters were not, however, so
much the faults of the people of Victoria as of
the people of England. The reports of the ex-
traordinary quantities of gold, literally going
begging, brought immense quantities of goods.
Speculators could not be convinced of the possibi-
lity of overstocking such a market, and the state
of indebtedness was the natural result of these
circumstances, which cannot long continue to
exist.

These matters naturally led to the future, on
which the Governor proceeded to develope his
policy. It was with respect to the public works
so urgently required that his views were most
anxiously looked for, that they might know 1
whether a portion of the charges created as well
for the benefit of posterity as of themselves should
be defrayed by posterity. On this interesting and
important point his Excellency spoke clearly and
explicitly. He said—" Gentlemen, it is my firm
conviction that you have within the bowels of
the earth an inexhaustible fund of wealth, and
that .on this you are fairly entitled to borrow
money. There arc, no doubt, some here, and
still more out of doors, who will object to such a
scheme on the ground that we have no right to
throw our burdens on posterity. It certainly is
not right to hand down to posterity debts incurred
by war or a reckless expenditure for political pur-
poses ; but I maintain that it is quite fair for
posterity to pay a portion of a debt incurred in
a great measure for their benefit. I hold it
to be wise and just, in the present circumstances
of Victoria, to borrow money for the construc-
tion of great national works ; the interest
and capital can be gradually defrayed as the po-
pulation and general revenue increase, until at
length the entire extinction of the debt is thus
brought about within a given time." This is also
just and proper ; and if Sir CHARLES HOTHAM
acts up to the pledges given, if his performance
should at all be equal to his promises, if his
" doings" keep pace with his " sayings," the in-
habitants of Victoria may well be congratulated
on the acquisition they have obtained in a Gover-
nor who will give every fair play to industry, and
whose acts will insure the welfare and prosperity
of those whose own conduct is such as to merit
these blessings.