The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-06 00:00:00

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,111 x,.

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1854.

The cordial reception afforded by the EMPEROR
and people of France to the PRINCE CONSORT
Will, we trust, more firmly cement the good
understanding and kindly relations subsisting
with the gallant nation to whom we bad long
bee opposed, but with whom henceforward. we
trust to be on the most friendly terms. Every
posiible degree of honour was accorded to the
representative of our most gracious QUEEN. But
there was more than mere lip-service. There
was manifested a deeper and more enduring feel-
ing —an earnest sympathy proceeding di-
rectly from the heart, and showing that all
former misunderstandings had been completely
removed, that no particle of animosity re-
mained, but that those who were once
arrayed against each other as valiant foes were
now firmly united as faithful friends and potent
allies.

It was, indeed, a goodly sight to behold the
Royal yacht lying at the "Port," closely examined
and inspected by myriads of French men and
women, while the husband of the QUEEN of
Great Britain was exchanging !greetings with the
chosen Ruler of France, and engaged in friendly
contest as to which should render the greatest
honour to the other. It was still more cheering
to behold Loins NAPOLEON, accompanied by
his illustrious guest, riding along the heights
that once bristled with hostile bayonets, but
which were now occupied by a no less
powerful army, destined to co-operate with the
-veteran troops of England against the common
e nemy. Well might the enthnsiasm of the spec-
tat ors become perfectly rapturous at such an au-
spicious spectacle, which, brilliant as it was to the
eye, carried with it a more permanent gratification
to the heart.
This day a grand review is appointed to take
place in honour of the Prince, and a general illu-
mination of the town of Boulogne in the evening
will testify the unanimity and warmth of the
feelings of the French and English inhabitants of
the town towards the distinguished visitor. No-
thing, indeed, could be more gratifying than the
arrangements made to do honour to the Prince,
or more satisfactory than the manner in which
everything hitherto has gone off.
As we have already stated, the other Royal per-
sonages had terminated their visits before the
arrival of Prince ALBERT. The unsettled state
of the Belgian Ministry rendered the return of
King LEOPOLD to his capital indispensable. But
we cannot perceive any adequate reason for the
very speedy and unexpected departure of the
youthful King of PORTUGAL. He had only
arriVed at noon on Monday, and, after a
hasty drive through the Camp, in company
with the FalPsuos, left by the 'railway
for Brussels the same evening. We are quite
confident that
there could have been no slight or
exhibited by LOUIS NAPOLEON, nor
do we suppose the Boy-gig -
would broach any
doubtful subject that might
Provoke discussion.
it is far more probable that he wasdisappointed
in not meeting " the Nestor of the Coburgs," and
that he hurried off to receive advice and instruc-
tion from that experienced SOVRREIGN as to the
topics on which he might venture to converse. It
was hinted that he might return, accompanied by
of Belgium. But he will
the Heir Apparent
probably miss seeing his illustrious relative the
'Consort of the " fair hope of England."
• The fraternising between French and English
is, however, of far greater importance, and that
- could not be marred by the absence, nor promoted
by the presence, of any other potentate. The
.civilised Empires of the West can enforce justice
.:and equity all over the world—can protect the
oppressed and punish the oppressors, however
high their rank, or gigantic their resources. Side by
side, united firmly under the union jack and the
tricolor, they may defy the world in arms. What
is it to them it Prussia or even if Austria should

choose to cast their lots along with that of the
CZAR ? We have always considered that the open
enmity. of these powers would be far more desir-
e' 'able than their pretended friendship. And should.
opposeth eniselves to
P 'time Powers,
-they Ntotildtiseedily find enough to their own
dOligainti without being capable of affordiag
avy
- -

3ful assistance to MatoLes. Had they cordi-
all y co-operated ab initio, the war would, ere
th is, have been brought to a satisfactory conclu-
, sic al, the pride of NICHOLAS humbled, and ample
reparation afforded for his past, and guarantees
for his future, conduct. But by their vacillation,
or worse, they encouraged him to persevere to
such an extent as must call down more stringent
retribution on his head. Prussia has, especially,
proved herself a most unwise and injudicious
friend. The representatives of both these Powers
will have an opportunity of beholding the discip-
lined troops of France available for any enter-
prise, and, still better, the bonds of amity subsist-
ing between the rulers and the peoples of the
Allied Nations. The spectacle will not be in vain,
but may help the German Monarchs to arrive at a
satisfactory solution of their doubts and difficulties,
to decide boldly in casting themselves into the
same scale with those whom they must believe to
be irresistible. Much good may, in this manner,
also flow from the Prince's visit to Boulogne ;
but nothing in comparison to its effects on the
hearts of Englishmen and Frenchmen, to the
earnest and alternate shouts of both nations of
" GOD save the QUEEN," and " Vive l'Empereur."

The divines of the middle ages had sharp con-
troversies on the question whether repentance
consisted most of sorrow for the past, or amend-
ment for the future. Common-sense folks did
not see how the two could well be sepazated.
Regret seemed useless without reformation, and
reformation appeared compulsory or mercenary
without regret for previous faults. All the mo-
ralists, too, confessed that the frankness and
honesty which preferred confessing an error were
the best guarantee of sincerity. On the other
hand, it has been allowed to some very dignified,
or naturally haughty personages, to confess their
errors by simply renouncing them. It has been
conceded that to them the mortification of actual,
though unavowed retractation, was a heavier
penalty than open confession. We must leave
our readers to appropriate these remarks as they
deem fitting to some of our contemporaries. A
few of them rank themselves among the dignita-
ries of the press, and, like those who enjoy " the
right divine of doing wrong," must not be judged
by the measures applied to ordinary mortals.
One fact, however, is notorious. From the
supreme deity of the press, whom, like the Jewish
Rabbies, we venture not to mention by his proper
name, to many of the humbler oracles who speak
with the authoritative " we," unavowed retracta-
tion is the order of the day. Most curious is it
to compare the leading articles of six or eight
months ago with those of the present. " Where
are our doves ?" asked one of them, bantering the
Peace Society, at the same time cooing itself with
turtle notes to the Dove of St. Petersburg—
though, prudently, addressing its most wooing
strains to the susceptible, unselfish creature of
Vienna, and turning most winning glances to the
noble-hearted monarch of Berlin. Yet this bland
believer in barbarian ingenuousness, imperial
honour, and royal single-mindedness, has given up
all of them by turns ; and, though still delighted
to magnify the disinterestedness of Austria
in occupying the provinces recouquered by OMER
PecHA, in expelling from them unfortunate re-
fugees, and in spreading over them the police ten-
tacula of her infernal Spielberg—yet, no terms
are now too strong to denounce the rapacity and
wanton ambition of NICHOLAS, or to expose the
meanness and duplicity of Prussia. At one time
the Allies were almost too hasty in commencing
operations ; now they receive many warnings that
something must be done for the ten millions so
readily voted to Mr. GLADSTONE. Sebastopol
(the august city) was formerly spoken of as if its
very name inspired reverence ; if the Russians
could but be got out of the provinces, enough—
it were useless folly to destroy our fleet under the
800 guns of the rock-defended fortress. Yetnow we
have been long waiting for the trumpeted sailing
of the fleet and army which are to demolish the
L great fortress and the Russian Euxine navy—an
announcement preceded by many proclamations of
the essential importance of the undertaking itself
Last, not least, comes the avowal that Sweaborg,
and even Cronstadt, must el-amble beforo 10-inch
guns, and even before 18-pounders ! Grave
homilies for half a year had taught us the insane
folly of exposing timber and portholes before
granite and casemates ; but some good luck in-
duced the. " man at the wheel" to permit an at-
tack on Bomarsund, and it is discovered that earth
itself would have been more formidable than
granite I

One of the most amusing things is the contemp-
tuous, or more commonly ignoring strain, in
which both the recanted errors and their recanta-
tion have been penned. The Papal aggression could
not more completely treat as a nonentity the great
Protestant institution of these realms, than did
the infallible political guides of Europe the nume-
rous Protestants who denounced the Russianism
and the mismanagement of the ABERDEEN Vatican.
If an allusion were made to us, it was with an apology
for hinting vaguely at " writers our readers must
excuse us for noticing ;" occasionally the utterance
of the heretical opinions by some member of the
Upper or Lower House permitted an attack upon the
opinions of thorough-going English journals, with-
out the condescension of acknowledging their ex-
istence ; yet one by one nearly every opinion of the
ignored press has been adopted, and perhaps the only
remaining one, the only article of the vernal creed
still retained, is the loyalty and disinterestedness
of the last specimen of the ingenuous physiognomy
of the HAPSBURGS. Nothing now will do but the
destruction of the once-dreaded Baltic and Black
Sea fortresses, the annihilation of Russian naval
power, and. the most vigorous action of the allied
forces. Even gun-boats, boats suitable for the
Baltic, such as every common-sense man demanded
as soon as he knew what was known to our
Cabinet and our journalists from the beginning,
are also loudly demanded by those who scouted
the notion that Lord ABERDEEN and Sir JAMES
GRAHAM could have overlooked " any condition
important to success."
Well, we must be content, like our fellow anti-
Russian journals, with having done our duty,
and with having contributed to force the people's
good sense on the notice of a reluctant Govern-
ment and its journals. Happily, events have co-
operated. to the same result. NICHOLAS has proved
as proudly pertinacious in resistance hitherto, as
meanly pertinacious previously in cunning and
deceit. The Bulldog (we beg pardon of bulldogs),
the Bear, would only retreat growling as his ex-
pected prey proved to be master. Give in he
would not, while he could keep on his feet, and
while he could menace his pursuers with worse
consequences than ever if they turned their backs.
France and England must fight, however much
the Russianising faction in the latter country
would have spared their pet ; and we must con-
fess that there seems in certain quarters somewhat
of the wrath of disappointed affection. We only
hope that in this case, too, the Amantiurn irce
may not prove the redintegratio amoris. We
would fain believe the quarrel too far gone ever
to issue again in a holy alliance, and that the
CZAR and his barbarians are now cast out from
equal association with chivalry and its civilisation
till they render themselves worthy of it.
There is yet one further step in advance for
the quondam supporters of Russia. We wonder
whether anything on earth can induce them to
take it. We ourselves, though occasionally hint-
ing at it, as the only assured condition of Euro-
pean peace, have urged it less than we should
have done, just because our Government and their
supporters are hopelessly below any bold .r noble
conception ; their worthiest but involuntary
doings being justly described as "drifting to war."
! We refer to the restoration of Polish nationality.
Prussia's share our compeers would be almost
up—it has been no small plague to
would have coaxed
rPrussiaeady t to
gerivseelf; and if not, Prussia has been no
littivhioeur. But then there
•
dearher
tisliini
sbA.B
einotoueretseptehcteabwlr:tebreshwa
to keep Russia itusSia-sends the
we. take from her an.
ultnula.:l-wHisrl4ll
troublesome nobles of
her stolen provinces to Si-

beria, Austria more kindly instigates the peasants
to murder them. Who could think of restoring
self-government to the subjects of so benign a rule?
The thought may occur to their minds that Austria
herself might be glad of Poland as a shield against
Russian revenge. But the real difficulty is, Russian
strength is still needed by despotic weakness. A
free Poland would plainly be the safeguard of
Europe—political justice loudly demands it, and
never will there occur another opportunity like the
present. But it would be the deathblow of absolu-
tism. Russia, even though defeated, must there-
fore be left strong enough to uphold despots against
their peoples. She will do this instinctively
through her hatred of liberty, and the only solici-
tude of those who dread nationalities far more
than Russia is, that the CZAR should be strong
enough to aid, but not strong enough to hurt, his
brother tyrants. Well, events may possibly lead
the " ignorers" of Poland to support her righteous
claims. They have been driven to advocate the
war, and the right means of conducting it, driven
to demand decent conditions of peace ; they may
yet be driven to demand the only condition of
lasting and secure peace.

The sentence of the Court-martial (No. 3.) on
Lieutenant PERRY was even more atrocious than
we had supposed possible, when commenting on
the case for yesterday's impression. It was not
" dismissal from her MAJESTY'S service," a sum-

ciently serious punishment to a young man just
entering into life ; but which carried with it no
peculiar infamy or future disqualification. A
person might retrieve his character and position,
even after such a finding. But the judgment
pronounced against him was of a far more strin-
gent description. It was that "he be cashiered,"
by which he would be ignominiously expelled the
service, his sword broken, and he himself declared
to be for ever incapable of serving her MAJESTY
in any capacity, " civil or military." It is almost
needless to say that so stringent a penalty is sel-
dom, if ever, inflicted, save for the most out-
rageous conduct, and against incorrigible offenders,
and that it operates as an indelible brand against
their reputations, which no future behaviour, how-
ever meritorious, can obliterate. And this was
the punishment to which the " merciful Judges,"
" the model tribunal ! " condemned a young
man, whom, in their hearts and souls, they must
(if gifted with common understanding) have known
to be innocent ; and this was what the Com-
mander-in-Chief of her MAJESTY'S Forces,
with an equal knowledge, that the prisoner,
was more than justified in every statement he had
made, advised his Royal Mistress to approve and
confirm. It is, indeed, deplorable to have to
direct public attention to such matters, calculated
to create and strengthen the opinion that the
title of officer is no longer not merely synonymous
with that of " gentleman," but that it is, in many
respects, inconsistent therewith. That there are
many high-minded and honourable men holding
commissions in the army we freely and willingly
admit—men who would scorn to truckle to any
authority, however exalted, and who would not
return a verdict which; in their souls and con-
science, they did not believe to be just and equit-
able, and in accordance with the substantial merits.
But, from the specimens we have lately seen of
prosecutors, jurymen, and witnesses, we are re-
luctantly compelled to state that such cases must
henceforward be considered as exceptions to the
general rule. Nor can we look to the very
highest ranks of the land service in any more
favourable point of view.

Would it be possible, in any of our ordinary
Courts of Law, to- find so numerous a body of
witnesses—we believe no less than eighteen—who
had been so manifestly tutored as to the evidence
they were about to give, and who bad so clearly
combined and confederated tcgether for the pur-
pose of prejudicing the party on trial, more par-
ticularly if he had been closely connected with
themselves, and placed in an unpleasant position
through their folly, or something worse ? Where
could we find so much disgraceful prevarication
and equivocation, such pretended obliviousness,
and, in oue instance, such direct false swearing
Had Lieutenant W. T. WALDY distinctly sworn

before one of the Judges of the Superior Courts
that he had not made such a statement in writing
as that which was produced under his own hand,
and bearing date but a few weeks previously, he
would have been committed to the dock to abide
his trial on an indictment for " wilful and cor-
rupt perjury." As it was, however, he was
suffered to escape with a reprimand, and cautioned
" for the rest of his life strictly to adhere to the
truth." This is a pleasing suggestion to "an
officer and a gentleman." (GOD save the mark.)
He is cautioned to abstain from lying and slan-
dering, and informed that he is " a weak, gos-
siping young man, insensible of the duty of a
rigid adherence to the truth in describing the
conduct of others—and incapable of estimating
the mischievious consequences of exaggerating a
contradiction at the mess-table into the lie direct,
by which departure from the truth the character
of his brother officers might have been seriously
affected." This seasonable compliment will scar-
cely be relished by the Gallant Lieutenant of the
46th Foot.

But humiliating and scandalous as was the
conduct of the military witnesses, that of the
Military Judges was byno means more meritorious.
They showed just as little regard for the solemn
obligation of an oath, and totally indifferent to the
imperative duty of rendering impartial justice to
the unfortunate and ill-treated young man, whose
character and prospects in life were probably de-
pending on their decision. We unhesitatingly
say that no British Jury could have been found
to return such a verdict as any one of the three
returned by the Windsor Courts-martial, nor
would any one of our venerable and high-minded
Judges have approved or sanctioned such find-
ings. It was, in every respect, too painfully
perceptible that the junior was to be ruthlessly
sacrificed, in order to shelter and protect those of
higher rank who were clearly culpable. If
Lieutenant PERRY had been acquitted there
should have been a clear sweep of the opposing
witnesses. This they were not prepared to en-
, force ; and, under the specious pretext of " the
importance of preserving discipline and good
older," gross injustice was committed and
sanctioned.
General Lord HARDINGE has spoken at con-
siderable length against some of the disgraceful
proceedings clearly established against the gallant
officers of the 46th. Some, however, he has
slurred over with gentle hand, while of others he
has omitted all notice. " Practice is, however,
better than precept ;" and it would have been far
better, and afforded a more beneficial example,
had he sustained one innocent and deeply-
injured subaltern than if he filled a score of
columns with his comments, while deliberately
suffering the man who had acted in accordance
with his instructions to be victimised, and his
prospects, so far as it rests with the Military
Department, to be irretrievably blighted.
One word more. Lieutenant PERRY is to be
allowed to sell out ; Lieutenant GREER is ordered
to do so. What parent or guardian will permit
his son or ward to buy the commissions thus
_vacated ? Who will aspire to a place in such com-
pany. We trust that the public may come for-
ward so liberally as to allow the victim of military
law and military tribunals to reject the paltry
compromise, to leave the price of the commission
of which he has been so unfairly deprived, as a
perpetual monument of the gross injustice to
which he has been subjected, and of the partiality
and favouritism of the Horse Guards. It depends
on the public whether he may be enabled to take
this high ground ; and we earnestly hope that
contributions to the " PERRY Fund " may flow in
liberally and steadily. It is no longer sufficient
to meet the expenses to which he has been sub-
jected : he must receive sufficient to render him
independent of military pay or military rank for
the remainder of his existence.

RARE OPENINGS FOR ECCLESIASTICS.—The following
valuable benefices are simultaneously vacant in the dio-
cese of Chichester :—The chancellorship of Chichester
Cathedral, by the death of Sir John Ashburham, Bart.;
the Probendal Stall of " Gates," in Chichester Cathedral;
.thkreetory. of Giteetling, Sussex, value 4001., "the
'lleaz:Neofgevensy vele() 948 i katrod the Biehog of
Chichest4r. j •