The Sun.
London, England, 1849-09-04 00:00:00

THE PEACE CONGRESS.
(From the Derby Reporter.)
The Peace Congress has completed its short session
in Paris, and though its result is not very great, its
abours will not be lost on the world. That a consi-
derable number of grave, earnest men should meet
together, and hold counsel for {he welfare of the
world, is not of itself a fact of much significance.
They might demonstrate ever so clearly that the
practice of war inflicts miseries unspeakable, and that
in the words of our great captain the features of
victory are only less hideous than those of defeat,
and that a monarch's greatness and an army's glory
are but shadows of a people's ruin. They might
exhibit in plain characters the need societies have
that all their superfluous means should be expended
in supporting institutions which render their mem-
bers content, and elevate their character ; and that
the warlike attitude and warlike preparations pre-
clude as many social benefits as war itself entails
afflictions and vices. They might prove that a na-
tion's quarrels, like those of individual citizens, are
capable of being advantageously submitted to the
arbitrement of an ordained law, or the conscience and
judgment of an impartial thirdsman. Or they might
tell us that the unrestrained intercourse of nations, the
interchange of commerce, of letters, thought, and good
offices, would help to bring nations to be :of one ac-
cord in manners, principles, and politics. This is
what the Peace Congress has done ; but that which
gives weight to its proceedings, is not the opinions its
arguments vindicate and its resolutions embody, but
the community of desire and opinion with its mem •
bers of vast numbers of men in every nation from
which delegates have wended their way to the Con-
gress. The voice of thousands repeats the sentiments
and approves the resolutions of this little Parliament
of the world ; and if that. be not proof of its weight
and dignity, we know not that any assembly has a
title to assume an authoritative air.
For ages the saint has sighed for, and the sage
has foretold, and the poet has sung of a Parliament
of man—a federation of nations—a delegation of the
wisest citizens to a council held for the general good,
and a high court of justice to administer its behests.
It will be long ere a consummation so devoutly to be
wished is seen ; but in proportion as public opinion
grows strong in the strength of wisdom and humanity,
and, disdaining the crooked paths of selfish policy, re•
cognizes the accord between the welfare of each
nation and the common rights of all, it is certain
that the world will gather beforehand a greater mea-
sure of the benefits which would flow from the insti-
tution of a general council of the world.
" There is a divinity that shapes our ends rough-
hew them how we will." We need not trouble our-
selvv much about the schemes which may fit future
circumstances ; for of the circumstances we know,
nothing. All our duty is comprised in the one
maxim which teaches us to labour while it is yet day,
and to leave the things of the morrow to higher
guidance. Our business is to strive as we can to
preserve the peace of to-day. by opposing to the force
of barbarism the force of civilization. But in good
time we cannot doubt that the same causes which
have operated to ally together under one rule, first
the neighbouring towns, then contiguous countries,
and which have leaguered various nations for pur•
poses of commerce or war, will extend their influence
over the whole world.
It would be folly, however, to hope that the reign
of opinion can be universal in the outward relations
of kingdoms, until it has become the predominant
power in the internal affairs of each. Armies are
maintained to keep in order the rebellious instincts
of people, who are taught by the instincts of nature
to resist authority which is not exercised for their
benefit. It is but another step to use these ready
instruments to aid any neighbour whose policy, like
that of Austria, proves too weak to repress the desire
of self-government. In preaching the duty of
humanity, mercy, and justice, it is not wise to aban-
don the right of appeal to arms against whomsoever
persists in doing injustice. We know very well that
the force of opinion must ever rest on the force of
arms as its ultimate resort. Many people are apt to
say, " Ah l see how vain and specious is this cry for
peace and diminished armaments ! no sooner does a
far-off trumpet sound on the plains of Hungary than
these very peacemakers prepare for the battle !" But
is there really inconsistency between the gentle and
just spirit which exhorts to peace, and the generous
courage which would resist oppression ? We would
advise Russia to be peaceful, and encourage Hungary
to heroism at the same time, without doing violence
to any rational love of peace—for the difference be-
tween peace and submission is great indeed !

BANK OF FRANCE.
The following is a return of the situation of the Bank
of France up to Aug. 30:—

ASSETS.

Cash and ingots ~.
Ditto in branch banks
Bills past due
Bills falling due in Paris, of which
15,373,514 f. are from the branch
banks 46,053,169 59
Bills in the branch banks ... 79,735,383 00
Advances on coins and ingots... ... 8,310,000 00
Ditto by the branch banks ... 565,793 00
Ditto on French public securities ... 20,626,235 25
Ditto by branch banks... ... 1,331,715 00
Ditto to the State on Bons du Tresor... 50,000,000 00
Ditto on the loan of 150 millions 50,000,000 00
Rentes of the reserve fund ... 10,000,000 PO
Rentes, disposable funds ... 42,581,488 13
Investments of the new branch banks in
the public funds ...
Hotel and furniture of the Bsnk
Real property of the branch banks ...
Interest in National Discount Bank ...
Ditto branch banks ...
Bills protested at Paris ... ...
Ditto at the branches ...
&Tenses of administration of the Bank
Ditto of the branches ... ...
Miscellaneous ... ...
Advance to the department of the

f. 245,207,611 98
. . 135,387.897 00
78,706 05
•••

12,779,541 39
4,000,000 00
2,396,225 00

230,000 00
3,973,963 72
2,662,397 00
155,448 81
158,194 00
161,643 50

Seine ••• ••• ••• •••
Loan of 3,000,000 f. to the city of Mar-
seilles ...

3,000,000 00

1,075,000 00

£720,670,412 42