The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-12 00:00:00

T St7l4, LONDON, TUESDAY IRVEXING, SEPTEMIIER 12; 1854

aggrieved, and made the victim of gross and pal-
pable injustice. If the charges were true, he was
not entitled to any indulgence. He had not
merely slandered his superior officers, but been
guilty of wilful and corrupt perjury. Yes ; one
of the charges preferred against him (the third)
was neither more nor less than a direct accusation
of perjury. It was to the effect, that he
made a statement on oath, "well knowing it
to be false." The other three counts in the
indictment related to the letter which he had
signed under the instructions of his legal adviser,
and the statement whereof he had, in the opinion
of ninety-nine out of every one hundred disin-
interested and unprejudiced persons, fully and
unequivocally substantiated. If ever there was a
privileged communication, that letter was one.
The circumstances under which it was written
entitled the party preferring these charges, not
through malice, but with the desire of obtaining
a complete investigation into all the facts, in the
elucidation whereof he was so deeply concerned—
not merely to mercy, but to a complete acquittal,
even had he done so erroneously. The third
charge was, however, different ; it ascribed wilful
false swearing—and, if substantiated, merited
exemplary punishment. In allowing the accused,
therefore, "to receive the price of his commis-
sions," Lord HARDINGE showed either that ho
did not consider " perjury" a serious offence, or
that he did not agree with the decision of the Court.
Erroneously and weakly as we think his Lordship
to have acted, we shall not pay him so very bad
a compliment as to attribute to him such lax
morality. We can, therefore, only ascribe his
leniency to his belief that the Court were not jus-
tified in their finding ; that even if the sworn
evidence inculpatory of Captain NICHOLAS was not
strictly accurate, it was, at least, delivered under
the impression that it was so. Lieutenant
PERRY should, therefore, have been acquitted,
or the full sentence of "cashiering" been carried
into execution ; and that the latter course was
not adopted proved that, the Commander-in-Chief
differed entirely from the Court.
It has been suggested that some attempt should
be made to obtain a revision of the finding and
sentence in one of the Superior Courts of Common
Law. This is impossible. The finding and sen-
tence, duly approved and confirmed, is final and
conclusive, and cannot, in the present state of the
law, be questioned before any other tribunal.
But petitions may be presented from every dis-
trict throughout the length and breadth of the
land, to get rid of the iniquitous system, and to
afford to all officers, aye, and privates, in her MA-
JESTY'S service, not engaged in actual warfare or
on foreign service, the protection of a fair trial
before impartial judges. The service could not be
prejudiced thereby, for the punishment of Lieut.
GREER—after his acquittal by the military tribu-
nal—shows that the Commander-in-Chief exer-
cises despotic power in removing any person he
thinks proper from the army list. If he chooses to
do so, let him assume the responsibility of the act,
but do not let him evade that responsibility
under cover of a finding and sentence made not
in accordance with the substantial merits, but
under the dictation of the Adjutant-General.
Let a strict investigation, then, take place into the
entire circumstances of the cases, and the conduct
of the members of the three Courts, with a view
to the introduction of a more wholesome system.
It may be that a Royal Commission should be
appointed. But if so, it should be composed of
civilians. If not, however, we hive no doubt,
notwithstanding the predominance of the military
element in both Houses, that a Select Committee
will be nominated on the meeting of Parliament,
who will strictly inquire and honestly report, with-
out fear or prejudice, favour or affection. The
voice of public opinion should, however, be heard
in the interval, to show that the people are not
indifferent to the wrongs inflicted on one of them-
selves, and that they are desirous of such reforms
as will render impossible the repetition of similar
injustice.

ggiop
had exhibited au unequivocal determination
to insist on fair and equitable to
would long since have su=
pretensions,
reservation
merm ds'not uos nsy
lia
have abated her unjustifiablefor
P
have given ample guarantees theresery
of the general peace and tranquillity, so far as she
was concerned. " Germanism," however, tri-
umphed. It
paralysed the energies of the Allies,
and kept our fleets and armies in the Euxine and
its vicinity completely inactive, and those in the
Baltic nearly so. We were always "waiting" for
Austria or Prussia, and opportunities were lost
while we were anticipating some dTisive de-
monstration on the part of one or both. They
have hitherto completely bamboozled us, reap-
ing benefits for themselves front the un-
toward and expensive complications in which we
were involved. Prussia, as we have already re-
marked, obtained a transfer of the whole com-
merce of Aussie, while Austria was allowed to
' occupy the Principalities, to become the quasi
Protector of Moldavia and Wallachia not only
without opposition, but almost on the express
invitation of Frank and Moslem. She has already
established herself, issuing her insolent procla-
mations, hunting out refugees, and ready to take
advantage of any casualty to fling herself into the
arms of Russia, and support the views of the
AUTOCRAT, from the vantage ground we have so
foolishly permitted her to occupy—or should suc-
cess attend our arms, and the cause of truth and
justice be triumphant, then to obtain favourable
terms, neither humiliating to the pride nor inju-
rious to the pride of the Muscovite.
This is the present. phase of " Germanism,"
one less strongly marked, but no less decided in
the case of Austria than of Prussia. The last
circular has, however, placed the latter in such
a position as to warrant our Government in with-
drawing her Ambassador, and treat it as an open
and avowed enemy. It has used its influence,
such as it is, against England and France, and it is
right and proper that we should endeavour to
curtail that influence. It has flung its own
weight into the scale with Russia, and, therefore,
we should not be very chary as to the means by
which we assail an acknowledged enemy, or reject
them, because they may chance to be displeasing
to Prussia. As a participator in the most nefarious
act of modern times, in the infamous " partition
of Poland," it might object to the measures
adopted for the purpose of restoring the outraged
nationality of that oppressad and deeply-injured
people. Be it so. We are no longer bound to
respect its wishes, or those of Austria ; and in
renovated Poland and independent Hungary we
should obtain the best protection against further
Muscovite encroachments. We have, however, so
long submitted to similar tricks, that these deceit-
ful potentates imagine they can continue to play
similar tricks with equal impunity. Let, them,
however, beware. The sleeping Lion is aroused
—the Eagle looks down from his aerie on
Iho grovellers. France and England have
too long suffered " Aberdeenisrn" to prevail.
But " the good and excellent man" can no
longer paralyse their energies, or persuade
any moderate number of persons in either nation,
that " the apprehensions of the CZAR were well-
founded, or his demands reasonable 1 I We must
act vigorously, and if he should still hang as a
dead weight on our shoulders, we must only treat
him as " SINBA.D" did his prototype, "the Old Man
of the Sea," celebrated in Eastern narrative—and
act in a manner more beseeming a mighty nation,
or rather two such mighty nations as France and
nland.

LATEST NEWS.

stacks to be overcome, the deanitive result cannot to the effect that Finland should be relieved from latif, whose present position as Minister of the In'
be doubted." I military s'erViee for 50 years, dating from 1809. terror is, according to the new constitution,
llault
tDespatches received in the capital mention a patible with a seat in the legislative body, has an-
hostile squadron off Revel, August 21. On the flounced to the electors of the district of the Ariegeo
18th and 19th of August a cannonade was heard at which he represented, that his son-in-law, M. Bus'
Solshurg in N. W. direction. From same place son, is the Government candidate for the vacancy
an enemy's liner in sight, fast on a sand- The mayors of the district had unanimously e%,"
bank. From Helsingfors and Svreaborg (22d) pressed a wish that some member of M. Biincom
cruisers of the enemy exchanged shots with Rus- family should succeed him.
sian steamers without further results. The Three per Cents. closed yesterday at 74ts:
220., for the end of the month ; and the per .
at 98f. 350. ; Orleans Railway Shares, 1,24 a Ir.
Rouen, 975 f. ; Havre, 585 f. Great Northern, 85.
50c. ; Strasburg, 811 f. 25c. ; New Shares, 6,..r.
25c.; Paris and Lyons, 981 f. 25c. • Lyons and
Meiterranean 887 f. ; Western of? France, 67.u1a
Bordeaux and Cette, 620 f. ; Great Central.
France, 518 f. 75c. ; Lyons and Geneva, 54y1
Bank of Credit Mobilier, 737 f. 60.

THE PRINCIPALITIES.

A letter from Bucharest of the 31st ult., in the
Lloyd of Vienna, says :—" Several gun boats of
the allied fleets have taken up a position at the
mouth of the Salina ; and it is said that some
troops have landed on that point to operatte a di-
version whilst the Russians shall be attacked at
Ismail, where is assembled their principal force in
Bessarabia. Gunboats are also stationed at the
mouth of the Kilia, and they are shortly to attack
Kilia."

AUSTRIA.

VIMTNA, Sept. B.—To the information forwarded
during the last three or four days on the subject of
the last Russian note, and the present policy of this
Cabinet, there is little to be added.
According to the Austrian Correspondence of
Vienna, there can be no doubt of the Austrian
Cabinet having declared that it does not find in
the answer of the Emperor of Russia any ground
for hostilities against him by Austria, but that it
is intended to submit the question of the future
to the decision of the Germanic Diet.

The %Vallacbians continue to show every favour-
able disposition towards the Turkish cause. An
address has been made to Omer Pacha and signed
by a great number of the influential inhabitants
(nearly 400), requesting Omer Pacha to obtain the
permission of the Sultan for the Wallachian troops
to join the Turkish army, and be led byhim against
the Russians. They express their certainty that
both the officers and soldiers would enter with the
utmost zeal into the cause.

BELGIUM.
The King of the Belgians and the rest of the
Royal family left Brussels on Sunday morning
(10th), at ten o'clock for Courtray by railwaii
Count de Marnix, Marshal of the Palace ; 001001
de Moerkerke, aide-camp to the Duke de Brabse
and the ladies of honour to the princesses, accote'
panied the Royal party.

The Austrians, in their proclamation, studi-
ously avoid anything which could give the
slightest offence to Russia. They ignore the pre-
sence of Omer Pacha, with 20,000 men, in Bu-
charest ; of Dervish Pasha, the Turkish Commis-
sioner ; and only make the slightest possible
allusion to the Sultan having anything whatever to
do with the arrangements iu Wallachia ; but the
authorities are told in very plain terms to whom
they are in future to address themselves for instruc-
tions. Omer Pacha is said to be much annoyed by
the arrangements which are being made, and at
the proclamation which has been issued. It is not
known hero what the Turkish troops are to do, but
nobody expects that the two armies will remain at
the same time in Wallachia during the winter. It
is not of much consequence if the Turks are obliged
to return to Rustchuk at present, as they could not
carry on operations much longer this year, and
they are as well in Turkey as Wallachia for winter
quarters, but in the spi ing the Austrian occupation
will surely not be considered as debarring the Otto-
man forces from a free passage through the Princi-
palities, should next year's operations require it, as
it is nearly certain they will, if war continues.

The Cologne Gazette contains the following from
Vienna, dated the 7th :
" Count Buol gave ye9terday a grand dinner, in
honour of the Russian Ambassador. Baron de Meyen-
dorff. Prince Gortschakoff and all the Russian Lega-
tion were invited. The Baron leaves this evening for
St. Petersburg, as does M. de Muchin, Consul-General
at Belgrade, who goes to seek some other employment,
as, under present circumstances, he cannot hope to be
soon back at- his post in Servia. The Hospodar of
Moldavia, who has been here for some days, had yes-
terday a long conference with the Turkish Ambassador.
It is said that the question under discussion was the
re-establishment of the Prince in his Government at
Jassy. Prince Ghika can hope with more justice than
Prince Stirbey of Wallachia to be re-established, be-
cause he meets with less opposition amongst the people,
and his administration was less complained of. A
new paper-money, bearing the title of War-Indemnity
Note, is about to be issued in Moldavia and Walla-
chia under the guarantee of the Western Powers
for the supply of stores to the Turkish troops. That
paper is to be exchanged for gold and silver from the
share accruing to the Principalities from the indemnity
which Russia will have -tn:pity hereafter. To supply the
Turkish troops becothei "Mora and more difficult as they
advance northwards, the Ruisians burning and destroy-
ing all that they do not carry away."

• I T A I/Y.
The Parlamento of Turin of the 7
letters from Naples, from which we learn that the
Government has forbidden the Russian loan to be
quoted at the Exchange of Naples. This naeas,ll,,,r
is said to have greatly irritated the Russian AU2
bassador there, and to have induced him to sent'
note to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, C°lll,l-
- Caraffa, in which he threatens to deny
his passports, if the answer be not satisfactory.
The Duke of Modena has issued a decree dateu
th quoted
from Pavullo, 26th ult., directing the inhabitant
of the town and commune of Carrara to give uP
the arms and ammunition they may have in t%
possession within a fortnight from that date.
punishment is to be incurred- by those who coniia
nt
at once with this provision. The measure does °,
apply to foreign consuls, the military or polities;
functionaries. After the period above raentionel
the Minister of the Interior may give el9eci,
permits to persons well known for their attach'
ment to the Government to have arms for the
purposes of self-defence or the chase. Alit' Pers°n:
convicted of premeditated homicide or maiming';-1
stated to have unfortunately become too frequent
within the town and commune of Carrara, 15
to 'lv,
shot. Any attempt at homicide is to be punishe:
with hard labour for life or 20 years at the
of
Any person found in possession of arms of ae.T_
kind after the delay granted above are liable
to
be condemned to from 5 to 20 years' hard labour.

SPAIN.
Letters from Madrid of the 7th state that the
payment of interest on the Public Debt which he 3
been lately suspended will be resumed on the 11th.
The Queen Christina was supposed to have ar-
rived in Portugal on the 3d.
Three per Cents., 34 80.
The Three per Cents. closed on the Bourse to-
day at 74 25 for the end of the month, and the
Four-and-a-Half at 98 35.

PORTUGAL.
Every one is eagerly expljecltSinßgONthe S:rPrlei;a2l:B°l
Queen Christina from Madrid. It was rumoured
yesterday that she had arrived at Elvas, and
rile!
palace at Belem is said to be prepared for her n
_-
ception. Strange vicissitudes of fortune ! Not T..
years ago we beheld Espartero a fugitive from 117
native land, on board an English man- of War, the..,
refuge of the oppre.sed, not permitted to disem
bark here from dread' of the vindictiveness of thei
Queen-Mother. Now she is herself exiled, and
probably indebted for her life, and escape front
dangerous captivity, to the man whom she ruth
lessly persecuted. It is believed that some of her
children passed through this city, under the care of
Senor Cohoa, and proceeded to England by the
Madrid steamer. Persons assert that they had en
interview with the King at the Pena convent, but
that their incognito was strictly preserved.
There is a current rumour that the King is de-
sirous to yield up the reigns of Government to his
sou as soon as public convenience will permit. He
postpones the decisions of any matters to which he
objects until the time when the young King shall
be able to determine. It is also believed that the
dissension in the Cabinet is only soldered till the
return of the two princes, who are expected here
about the 10th of September.
• GREECE.

It is suspected that King Otho, not sufficiently
warned by the severe lesson he received in the
summer, is again contriving how to get up troubles
in Greece. It has been observed that he ceases to
hold any communication with his Minister of the
Interior. The French Government keeps a wary
eye upon this silly monarch's proceedings.