The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-06 00:00:00

I PRICE SD.

1..
thought certain civilised ,a,pd Christian communities
would do well to imitate. If that were proof of bar-
barism, it was a barbarism which he should be well con-
tent to see paralleled in the annals of Russia or Austria,
from the days of Ivan Vassilovitch, or Rudolph of Haps-
burg, downwards. (Loud cheers.) Again, there was
not a person in England who did not know how inti-
mately the interests of this country were bound up in
the independence of the Turkish empire. Commercially
it was among the' best markets for our manufactures,
as the jealously-guarded dominions of Russia and Aus-
tria were among the worst. Politically, so long as it
was independent, it enabled us to operate on the mag-
nificent seaboard, extending from the Dardanelles to the
port of Alexandria, which, were the opportunity af-
forded, would be soon closed against us by Russian
batteries, and the route opened to an invading army
for marching upon our Indian possessions. (Hear,
hear.) Nay, upon constitutional principles, too, it
stood like a fortress on the line which marked the
boundaries of civilisation and barbarism, where the op-
pressed of all nations might seek a refuge and a shelter
as secure as that within the rocky barriers of our sea-
girt land. But as surely as it fell—as surely as the Rus-
sian eagle floated from the towers of St. Sophia and on
the Sea of Marmora—as surely as a new Constantine or
Alexander established his dominion in its stead, so surely,
would an unrelenting and merciless crusade be com-
menced against that popular government of which this
country was the hated representative, and, unless spe-
cially preserved, would be the most distinguished victim.
(Hear, hear.) This much, he thought, was too evident
through all the mist and hues of diplomacy, that whilst
the conduct of that power by whose ambition the peace
of Europe was threatened had been marked by singular
vigour and astuteness, ours had been rendered as remark-
able by the timidity and humiliation which has made us
the scorn of our enemies, the distrust of our confederates,
and all but the subject Of derision to the world; and he
believed that at the present moment no man knew what
were our real intentions, or the ultimate line of conduct
we were to pursue. (Cheers.)
Captain Moms seconded -the resolution, contending,
from his own personal observation in Turkey, that
a more fallacious representation had never been put
forth than that the Turks were a barbarous
people. So far from that, he was bold to say
that they were among the most enlightened of the
nations of Europe, that was, if by enlightenment was
understood high moral principle and rectitude. As a
Christian he had received marks of the highest respect
and most generous hospitality from all classes of people
in Turkey, especially because he was an Englishman, and
he trusted that the respect entertained for the character
of an Englishman would not be allowed to suffer in the
eyes of the Turks by the conduct pursued by our go-
vernment in the present crisis. (Cheers.) The power
of Russia was great, so also was the power of this
country ; and if England were but true to herself, he
did not think she had anything to fear from the northern
bear, and that she might easily put a muzzle upon him.
He hoped that England would keep the peace as long
as she could—that she would never provoke a needless
or unjust war. At the same time we must not follow
the advice of the Peace Society, and allow ourselves to
be trampled upon by every despot. (Hear.) In this
particular instance, he was most anxious that the rela-
tions between France and England should be drawn yet
closer. (Cheers.) The French Emperor, whatever else
might be said of him, had, at least, in this case, acted
nobly. (Hear.) He had never shown any hesitation
throughout the whole of this quarrel, and was ready, no
doubt, to go whatever length England was disposed to
go with him. (Hear.)

- The resolution was agreed to amidst immense cheering.
The Rev. J. B. MURSELL moved, and Mr. J. BIGGS
seconded, the next resolution—" That a memorial em-
bodying the above resolutions be laid before Lord Cla-
rendon, Secretary for State for Foreign Affairs, and
that the members for the borough be respectfully re-
quested to undertake its presentation."
The resolution was adopted unanimously.
At the request of the Mayor,
Mr S3fALLFIELD here read the announcement which
appeared in one of the evening papers yesterday, to
the effect that the Sultan had declared war against
Russia ; and the reading of which was received with
tremendous cheering ; but when Mr. Smallfield
came to the remaining portion of the paragraph,
that " hostilities had commenced against the advice of
the four powers," the indignation of the meeting was
expressed in most unequivocal terms. " Shame upon
them," echoed from all parts of the room, followed by
cries of " Aberdeen, A berdeen," and loud and universal
groaning.

Dr. NOBLE then advanced to the front of the platform
and exclaimed—lf this be true, the Sultan has been
forced to it by the insults and provocations he has re-
ceived from Russia, which insults and provocations have
been increased by the vacillation and pusillanimity of
his advisers, until at last his patience has broken down
under them. (Hear, hear.) If this be true, then, I say,
" Long life and success to the Sultan." (Vociferous
and protracted cheering.)
A vote of thanks having been passed to the Mayor for
convening the meeting and presiding on the occasion, the
proceedings terminated with a broadside of groans for
Russia, and a flying shot for Austria, after which the
assembly broke up in the most orderly manner.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

WEST KENT.

A numerous and influential meeting of noblemen and
gentlemen, proprietors of land in West Sent, was held
yesterday in the large room of the Crown Hotel, Seven-
oaks, to consider the expediency of forming a line of rail-
way from Sydenham to Bromley, by Otford to Maidstone,
with branches to Lewisham, Greenwich, Eltham, and
Newington-causeway, for local and suburban traffic, and
with duplicate lines, and independent termini for the
Crystal Palace traffic. Among the noblemen and gentle.
men present were the following :—The Most Noble the
Marquis of Camden, Viscount Homesdale, the Right
Hon. Mr. Harries, Sir John Lubbock, Bart. ; Sir Samuel
Hancock, Sir John B. W. Maunsell, Bart., Mr. Peter
Cator, Mr. W. Lambarde, Mr. J. P. Atkins, Mr. H.
Hughes, Mr. I. N. Hargrave, Mr. W. Hicks, Mr.
Robert Main, &c.
Onthe
wasmoti called t
motion of
thecou chntHaOir.MlC SDALE, the Marquis
of Camden

The CHAIRMAN having stated that Viscount Sydney,
Mr. Glendining, Mr. Mildmay, and other gentlemen
interested in the project were unable to attend, observed
that the district of West Kent was the largest and most
populous in any of the home counties which was unpro-
vided with railway accommodation. It was only natural,
therefore, that the landowners of West Kent should be
anxious for direct railway communication between Maid-
stone and the metropolis. The East Kent Railway
Company having last session succeeded in obtaining
powers to construct a railway from Stroud to Canter-
bury, it occurred to many of the landowners of the w(ii-
tern division of the county to inquire into the modes by
which they had accomplished their object. Having been
informed that Sir Charles Fox was mainly instrumental
in procuring the East Kent Railway, he (the chairman),
Lord Homesdale, and other gentlemen, thought it desir-
able to communicate with that gentleman, to ascertain
how far it might be in his power to assist them to make their
line. At their request Sir Charles Fox met them at
Seven-oaks, and stated the terms upon which he felt in-
clined to assist them. He had favoured them with the
outline of 'a project, and it now remained for the land-
owners of the county to say whether they would approve
it. (Hear, hear.) Sir Charles Fox estimated the ex-
pense of the line from Sydenham to Maidstone at
500,0001., which it was now proposed to raise by 20,000
shares of 251. each. Of this sum, it was proposed that
one-fourth, or 5,000 shares, should be taken up by re-
sidents in the district, and three-fourths by non-local
capitalists. This was the substance of the proposition
which Lord Homesdale and himself were anxious to
consult the gentlemen of the county upon, and it ap-
peared to them to be so reasonable and advantageous
to the district proposed to be served, that they were
every pre-
paredr) to give it support in their power. (H
Mr. P. CATOR pointed out the general features ofea t.
abe
proposed line of railway, and stated that the plan had
three-fold object. There was to be, in the first instance,
a direct line of railway through central
county town of Maidstone, by which them.
ear.)
This
Kent
ago to the
county would
e
be reduced from 56 to 34 miles. (bile:vray h
of Bromley
line would proceed from Sydenham
and Otford, to Maidstone. There
wo y
andulda E
also beitahalmine;
from Sydenham to Lewisham, Greenwich,
and also a line from Sydenham
e the public advantage of
the latter line, for
It was impossible to
o°tnveeerrW‘lit to Newington-causeway.
o had not experience of it
could form an
of the extent to which the
Brighton line wase now i
burdened and blocked up with
traffic. If the line a
from Sydenham_ to Newington-
causeway traffic were made, the of the east and west
of the metropolis could be brought over the direct
line. He had no doubt that the line would be a paying
one, as there was now no line from Dulwich, Peckham,
and Camberwell to Sydenham, nor was there any means
of reaching the Crystal Palace without
(*.Ding into the
heart of the metropolis. The surve the own
had
laid out the line to the satisfaction of the owner; of pro-
perty to be affected, and from all lie could hear the
principal landowners front Sydenham to Maidstone were
favourable to it. They had agreed to sell their land on
very equitable terms, the rulin, price to be thirty years'
purchase for freehold agricultural land on a fair rental,
and a corresponding value for building land. He hoped
the landowners of the county would at length procure
the railway accommodation of which they had been too
long deprived, and that their endeavours on the present
occasion would be crowned with success. (Hear, hear.)
In reply to questions from Lord Homesdale and Mr.
Dent, Mr. COBB stated that the proposed direct line
would commence by a junction with the Brighten line