The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-24 00:00:00

Since then--though struggling against the mis-
representation of a powerful press—we have in-
sisted that the question became continually more
serious, till now a crisis has confessedly been
reached, which must end in the complete subjuga-
tion of Turkey to Russia, and, by consequence, in
the virtual extinction of the Ottoman empire, or
in a war, whose proximate bearing, in the present
distracted state of European councils, it is not easy
to perceive, and whose ultimate issue it is impos-
sible to divine. This much is clear : in the event
of war, we must, abiding by our engagements with
the Porte, be prepared to take an active part in it,
or consent to be cast aside as one of the great go-
verning States of Europe, and sink into a mere
mercantile nation, degraded by perfidy towards a
faithful ally, and by dastardly submission to the
threatening attitude of a hostile and semi-barbarous
Powei.

Two notes by Count Nesselrode, which accom-
panied Russia's refusal of the Turkish modifica-
tions to the Vienna note, place us in possession of
the Czar's views. Whatever may be the faults of
the Cabinet of St. Petersburg, it cannot be accused
of attempting to disguise its sentiments by verba
jugglery. Its speech is decisive and trenchant—
haughty in consciousness of strength, and scornful
in contempt of the weakness to which it is opposed.
The paltry subterfuge (which it is now acknow-
ledged was suggested by our Government) that the
Vienna note, if signed by the Porte, should be read
in the sense of the proposed modifications, must
have appeared ridiculous in the presence of the
plain and emphatic language of the Russian de-
spatches. " Either," says Count Nesselrode,
" the alterations which the Porte requires are
important, in which case it is very simple
that we refuse to accede to them ; or they are
unimportant, and then the question arises, why
should the Porte unnecessarily make its acceptance
dependent on them ?" He regards the office of the
mediating Powers as terminated by the rejection
of the original note by the Porte, and bids them
allow Russia to settle its difference with the Porte
as it pleases. "It is for Austria and the Powers
to declare to the Porte, frankly and firmly, that
they, after having in vain opened up to it the only
road that could lead to an immediate restoration of
its relations with us, henceforth leave the task to
itself alone."
The effect of this language on the Court of Vienna
was decisive and immediate. Count Buol declared
that nothing now was to be done but to urge Tur-
key to the acceptance of the original note ; a pro-
posal of the French Minister was rejected as not
being sufficiently pressing on the Porte ; and Aus-
tria at last, a3ting for herself, despatched a message
to Constantinople, advising prompt and uncondi-
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acceptance. This step virtually dissolved
u
ing instance of Lord Stratford de Redcliffe,
the Conference decided that the Ministers of the
great Powers at Constantinople should be autho-
rised to declare " that the Vienna note does not
involve the dangers which the Porte appears to see
in it to the sovereignty of the Sultan." It is added
that no other collective step would be taken.
The matter beincr brought to this issue, Russia
and Turkey are straining every nerve to increase
their armaments ; deputations wait upon the
Sultan, clamorous for war ; and the Czar Nicholas
and the Emperor Francis met at Olmutz yesterday,
certainly to determine on an united course of ac-
tion, and possibly to decide on a partition of the
Turkish empire.
Yet the paper which is supposed to reflect the
sentiments of Lord Aberdeen could on Tuesday
coolly tell the country that " the Turkish question
has plainly become a question of words." The
Ministerial journalists have to pay dearly for the
livery they wear ; for, while they no doubt earn
the approval of their masters, they wholly lose the
respect of the public.
With probably the same intent that Lord John
Russell delivered an unmeaning piece of rhodomon-
tade to the burgesses of Greenock, the Ministerial
journals have ventured on some abuse of the Czar
Nicholas. The public mind is to be diverted from
the real facts and bearings of the question at issue,
and, as affairs assume a darker aspect, the policy of
Russia is to be assailed that the incapacity of our
Government may be concealed.
The policy of Russia is undoubtedly aggressive,
but such policy is not new in the history of the
world : it has animated the councils of every nation
we can call to mind, and we must expect to see it
prevail so long as vigorous rulers are moved by the
promptings of ambition and the desire to dis-
tinguish themselves in contributing to the power of
the countries they govern.
It is not to be supposed that the character of the
Emperor Nicholas has suddenly changed. His
prosperous reign is striking evidence of his capacity
and his statesmanship has been illustrated by the
success of his enterprises. If he now threatens
Turkey, it must be because he perceives that a
rare conjuncture of circumstances favour his de-

sign.
We are, as a people, fond of facts, and this one
fact is too significant to be passed by unnoticed.
The formation of the Aberdeen Ministry was the
signal for the Cabinet of St. Petersburg to com-
mence its attack on the independence of the Porte.
The policy of the Czar, however objectionable on
moral grounds, is natural to his position, and to
the traditions of his race and country. He his
inherited it with his crown, as English Minis- I
ters, until Aberdeen, inherited, the duty of stub-
bornly opposing it. If he now makes a daring
effort to snatch the long-coveted prize of Russian
statesmanship, shall we blame him, or the
Ministers whose treachery has encouraged his
daring ?—their treachery, even if we suppose them
well-meaning, as weakness is treachery when na-
tional interests and honour are at stake.
If it should be asked what our Government is
doing while the Continent is heaving with moment-
ous events, the answer must be shortly—nothing.
No Cabinet Council has been held. Mr. Sidney
Herbert is hospitably entertaining—as we learn by