The Sun.
London, England, 1849-08-27 00:00:00

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PEA CE A AT .*-61. !;;;;71112..-,
One of the most peculie., useful, and g tqestroittleaV ~ _
habits of Englishmen is that of associatrpg ia ceriiin. : e,
end; of forming a body wh-ch is to receive\ ' Ntfpierint
officers, become what foreigners call a pro ;. :}4.4a.a,..5e,ed"--, :—...,,,,T
meet in public to instruct the public, and enanyirsts(gb; Null,"
other by expressions of feeling and of e'oquence, or by
argumentative discourses, destined to spread conviction
through the press. These means of peaceful and argu-
mentative agitation form one of the noblest products of
our free constitution. And it requires a country of much
steadiness and wisdom in the practice of freedom to en-
joy such an institution without the certainty of its being
abused. Other countries have been more free than
England, at least in the theory of their charters. But
none, save the United States, have ever been able to
enjoy the benefit of political associations—and it may-be
doubted whether, in the United States, it is not grossly
abused and turned to evil.
There arc, however, more ways than one-orneutralising or
bringing into discredit, the pc wer of association. It may be
turned, for example, into treason; at a time, too, when
all the objects to be obtained by the most successful
treason are to ba obtained by constitutional and pacific
efforts. This is the Irish and the French way of de-
stroying or annulling the right of associatior. There is
also another way—for instance, that of employ iug the
grave extreme of political associaticn for idle, for trifling,
or for needless purposes. There are associations which
we could name, got up with no higher aim than merely
to kill the leisure or gratify the vanity of individuals.
The efforts of some single person, who has marked out
himself as the paid secretary, who has succeeded in be-
coming such, and whose activity perpetuates the associa-
tion for no better reason and to no greater end, have
sufficed in a majority of cases to originate them.
Of these trifling associations, however, there are for-
tunately but few and unimportant. Public opinion does
justice by them. There are others which have filled the
world with their success and their fame, which have en-
listed all that was generous, liberal, able, and eloquent
in their ranks, which have overwhelmed. the public with
their appeals, nay more, which have beat down
powerful opposition, even that of the prevailing political
party, and which have won their way despite of every
obstacle in Parliament, and every hesitation on the part
of the most practical and eminent men. Such was the
Anti-Slave-Trade Association. Yet what have been its
results? Glorious some, but doubtful others. For it
disdained to attempt less than the utter destruction of
abuses, which an association of less power and zeal might
more wisely hare remained content with the resolution
to mitigate and correct.
Since the palmy days of the Anti-Slave-Trade Asso-
ciation, we have had those of the Anti-Corn-law L-ague,
one of the most just, most noble, and most abl)-worked
agitations that any country has seen. Its very success,
and the political elevation of all engaged in ir, has
tempted a variety of able and of liberal men to institute
similar associations without well considering whether the
aim justifies such means, and whether the very principles
and habits of political association may not be weakened
by its application to unfit objects.
The Peace Association, whose congress at Paris now
attracts public attention, is certainly one of the boldest
yet attempted, since its sphere is not merely confined to
England, but extends all over Europe. We may, never.
theless, doubt if its members are quite conscious of the
degree of political boldness necessary to the right dis-
charge of their self-appointed functions. They must
beware, that for the sake of tolerance or favour they
are not led to flatter princes and make light of popular
interests. That may be the path of peace and toleration
to them, but it is not so for the great mass of the people
whom they would relieie. Preach mutual peace to
France and to England. None will gainsay. For what
possible god or right would come of a war between the
two countries? But will you at the same time and in
the same breath preach peace to Poland, and to Hungary,
and to Italy? What can peace meen, in an exhortation to
r the people of these countries but submission? If the Peace
Association preach that, it will be justly despised. Oe the
other hand, to preach justice, mercy, and truth, in re-
spect of popular rights, to a Czar of Russia or on Ein-
i peror of Austria, is a mission more for a war society
than for one of peace. Is not, indeed, the new holy
!alliance a war congress in direct opposition to that of
!peace? Does it not found its rieht and permanence
'upon bayonets and bayonets only? Is not the sexy
'principle of the new league of Government, to wl.ich
France has disgracefully adhered, the maxim that the
army is the true and only support of Governmene and
that the one-half or one-third of the male populai in
(should be kept idle, in arms, in uniform, and in pay, in
trder to support a chief governor and a doz .n polit:ciaes
in the task of coercing the rest?
Armies, in fact, are now avowetlly kept for the pur-
-1 oses of police, and not only for police at home, but
teroad. Russia would invade Hungary and govern
t, eland. Austria has stipulated to do the sae eby
!Bavaria. The King of Prussia is the great police magis-
trate of Germany. What is L )hia Napoleon but a
general of gendarmerie, not only for his own purposes
to France, but to do the cardinals' bidding in Rome. If
it is this power of mutual oppression that the associatien
whose congress has met in Paris purposes to abet, then
ive us a war and resistance association, as something
ore frank, more manly, and more for the interest of
umanity at present, and of permanent peace for the
uture.
[n
The wars now prevailing in Europe are those of dy
asties against nationalities. We doubt its being in the
tower or within the scope of the Peace Society either to
persuade dynasties to give up those nations which abhor
persuade dynasties to give up those nations which abhor
dhem, or to persuade nationalities to forget what is most
iiveted in the popular affections. The only solid basis
dn which to establish peace, would be the allowance to
lath nationality to develops itself according to its nature
find its tendencies. Let there be a French, a German,
an Italian. a Selaveniata and a Russian empire. Each
ould be too strong to fear the other, each too content
desire conquest. But the will of the nation in these
nd other things should prevail over the interests and
1a
prices of a dynasty. A dynasty is warlike. A developed
tion is never so, unless when provoked or oppressed.—
Irxaminer.

HEATRE ROYAL, MANCHESTER

DEBUT OF MADAME SONTAG.
This year the manufacturing districts have every
species of good fortune. The merchants of Manchester
hive just had the singular felicity of enjoying the ex-
visite talent of Madame Sontag in Norina, in Don
liasquale, a part in which she never played in past time,
aid in which, from delicacy towel ds Madame Alboni,
she did not appear at her Majesty's Theatre this year.
It) is needless to say how admirably she is adapted for the
in erpretation of this character. Grace, elegance, spirit,
and espieglerie marked her acting, while in the celebrated
m9rceaux of the opera her voice revelled in the most
fanciful pas.sages of ornament: at one moment she
uttered traits of pure and curiously melodic power ; next
came chromatic diversions in the highest degree eccen-
tric; but at the same time severely correct, and never
sol much detached from the ruling intention of the
composer as not to be perfectly germane to the subject.
The contrast between her sylph-like figure and the
giant form of Lablache told with the greatest effect, and
the manner in which the two unrivalled artists elicited
each other's perfections, in the harmony of vocal execu-
tion and dramatic action, was truly admirable; almost
every morceau of the opera was encored. Calz,lari's
" Come gentil" met with the same honours. F La-
bleche, who, at a moment's notice, took the part of
Belletti (who was suddenly indisposed), was warmly
and justly applauded. As to the great prima donna, no
sort of ovation was omitted—encores, recalls, and
bouquets attended her exertions. She will, no doubt,
remember Manchester with pleasure. Off the stage she
has been the object of the greatest respect: the principal
noblemen and gentlemen came from the neighbouring
seats to pay their devotions; the kind and amiable
mayor of Manchester tendered his services immediately
on her arrival, and the manufacturers whose establish-
ments she visited nokonly personally attended upon her,
but insisted upon her acceptance of samples of their
manufactures.

SOUTRAMPION.—About a fortnight ago a French
gentleman and his lady, with a child and a female ser-
vant, came to Southampton from Jersey. They put
at Goodrich's hotel and lived in first-rate style. After
remaining sevt ral days in Southampton they tot k a ea..b
to Bishopstoke station on the London and South-Western
Railway. The servant was ordered to return to South-
ampton and desire the landlord to pay the cabman; the
gentleman with the lady and child started for London.
When the servant returned to the hotel the landlord re-
fused to pay for the cab, as his bill had not been paie;
and it being discovered on inquiry that several trades-
men in the town had been victimised in a similar
manner, the Southampton inspector of police proceeded
to London and stationed himself at the Post-office at St.
Martin's-le-Grand, where it appeared from a letter
written in French, in the possession of the servant, the
gentleman expected letters directed to initiale. The
lady and gentleman appeared, were given into custody,
and were conveyed to Southampton gaol on a charge of
swindling. They were taken before the local magis-
trates, anti stated that they were acquainted with some
distinguished English families, and related to noble
French families, that they fully expected remittances
from France. and fully intended to pay what they owed.
They were remanded back to prison to await the arrival
of the remittances. They call themselves Count and
Countess lle Berryer. They have written several letters
to distinguished persons, both in England and France,
funds.
while in prison, requestinglt was announced when the distribution of prizes
Society of Artsin June last, that the Society hoped to
bewamade by
enabled
Royal Highness Prince Albert at the
organize a great national exhibition of
manufactures in 1851. We have reason to believe that
been
salettoiy engaged in devising a plan of
yv
eallnighness, as President of the
sSociety,ince tha
tit atsi time
an exhibition which shall worthily represent the p
manufacturing position of this country. We hear- r'
s"
it is contemplated that, for the first timein the annals thate
of
similar institutions, this exposition shall not be national
only, but as far as possible universal, ngembrae i the pro-
ducts, machinery, and manufactures of our own country,
our colonies, and all nations. It •is proposed to give
large motley prizes and medals, which shall be awarded
by a tribunal so elevated above al. the interests of eom-
petion as to inspire the utmost confidence. The whole
undertaking is in some way to have a national sanction
givai to it, but the taxation of the country is not to be
calved upon to provide the funds.—Times.
DEVONPORT—FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Friday
evening, a very melancholy accident occurred,
has resulted in the death of the Hon. Thomas Graves
(son of Lord Graves), a naval cadet on board of her
Majesty's ship, Impregnable, at present stationed at this
port. The decelsed, who was an amiable and premising
youth, was cros,ing the harbour in company with some
other young gentlemen, when the boat upset, and they
were precipitated into the water. They were, however,
soon picked up, and all were saved, with the exception
of Mr. Graves. The body has been found, and an in-
quest is to be bold.