The Sun.
London, England, 1849-09-11 00:00:00

Iteltting 51111/6

LONDON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1849,

He must be inexperienced, indeed, in the ways ot
the world, a mere tyro in the rudiments of social
morality, who is unacquainted with the one funda-
mental rule by which worldly praise and censure are
distributed—" Success is virtue, and misfortune
shame." It was not left for recent events to teach us
this all-important fact, the pages of history and the
occurrences of daily life continually corroborate its
truth. Therefore it is a matter of no surprise, but,
on the contrary, the most natural circumstance ima-
ginable that the fall of Hungary should have elicited
as sincere tokens of satisfaction and as hearty exulta-
tion (and from the very same individuals) as would
have been bestowed on [lungary triumphant and
independent. Had victory waived on the banners
of the Hungarians, KOSSUTH and bis Generals would
have been eulogised as heroes—the " rebels" would
have been " patriots," the Russians invaders, and the
Austrians usurpers. Now, however, these last are
" legitimate rulers," their Government " popular,"
and GEORGEY—GEORGEY, forsooth ! is the represen-
tative of the " moderate constitutional Magyars ."
Praise is sometimes more hateful than censure, and
if he have one spark of honourable feeling left the
commendations of the enemies of Hungary must grate
harshly in the ears of the protege of PASkiEWITCII.
A few weeks ago the inditer of that victorious dis-
patch of heart-thrilling brevity which told of the
emancipation of Buda, ARTHUR GaoaoLv,was the hero
of the hour—his name was reiterated by admiring lips,
not only in his own country but wherever the strug-
gle for freedom was sympathised with. Now, fallen
from his pride of integrity, at his name cheeks flush
with indignation, and hearts are rent with the pangs
of disappointment. We can wish no heavier penalty
for the author of so much woe than the ignominy he
has brought upon himself, and the remorse
which will be its inevitable consequence. It
seems strange, nevertheless, to have GEORGEY,
alternately a " rebel" and a traitor, cited as
a representative of the moderate constitutional Mag-
yars. Be this as it may, it is not strange, according
to the rule we have above referred to, that the cause
of Hungarian independence should be reviled now that
it seems hopeless of success, and that the sympathy
of England should be derided when that sympathy is
found to be on the falling side. " All England,"
exclaims one of our contemporaries, in accents of
supreme derision, " has been warmed with Hungarian
sympathy." Never did journalist indite a truer
sentence. All England has been warmed, and is still
glowing, with sympathy for the Hungarians. And
where is the matter for marvel ? If the cause of a
nation struggling to assert its nationality, if the
efforts of a band of patriots to ensure the constitu-
tional rights of their country, if the resistance of
indignant men to a foe who declares war not only on
their individual liberties, but against their very
women and children—if such a cause, if such efforts,
and such indignation might count on the sympathy of
every nation that loves right and liberty, then
assuredly KOSSUTH did not frame his protest in vain.
England to her heart's core did sympathise with
Hungary. But, continues our contemporary with
what is meant to be a cruelly telling sarcasm, '.Hun.
gary has succumbed, and where is British sympathy 7.
Pray, gentlemen, what is the value of your friend-
ship ?" Had those in high places rightly fulfilled
their trust the above question had never been pro-
pounded. The effects of British sympathy would
have been unmistakeably manifest. As it is, that
sympathy has not been given in vain. The strong
feelings of the English nation on this question will
not go for nothing in the adjustment of Hungarian
affairs. The people of this country will not sit tamely
by to witness a second scene of the annihilation of
Poland. If the constituent rights of Hungary be
not, even now, guaranteed to her, Lord PALMERSTON
will have forfeited the high place he has hitherto so
justly held in the estimation of the lovers of liberty in
this country. If the liberties of Hungary be utterly
sacrificed, the next session will give an unmistakeable
proof of the strength of British sympathy with the
Hungarian cause. In the meantime, let the unani-
nflty of the friends of freedom encourage and stimu-
late our lukewarm Liberal rulers. Let renewed
courage and unwavering confidence be our answer to
the taunts of time- serving opponents. Let us have
no GEORGEY in our ranks, and ere long the value of
British sympathy will elicit the eulogy of those whose
suffrages are awarded to success.

The affairs of a community may progress with a
fair degree of satisfaction and prosperity under a Roi
faineant, provided he be surrounded by ministers of
activity and prudence; but no potentate or leader,
however energetic and industrious, can by his single
exertions compensate for the laziness or fatuity of his
official staff. The Noble Chairman of the Waterford
and Limerick Railway Company appears to be ham-
pered with a knot of drowsy or demented directors.
Personally sonally disinterested as we are in the affairs of.
this company, possessing neither a single share
therein, nor an acre of ground which would beinter-
vected by the line, but well knowing the vast
advan-
tages which would necessarily result froni
ics
ultimate success to a' district of unsurpassed
fertility and capabilities a district
which
,}
needs but the development of its own natural wealth
to compete with the most favoured region of the em-
pire for security and enhancement of property, and
for profitable investment of capital—we cannot but
feel a very considerable degree of indignation at the
slothfulness of spirit which threatens to swamp an
undertaking of paramount national importance.
We have already taken occasion to animadvert upon
the culpable refusal of the Chancellor of tbe Ex-
chequer to extend Government assistance towards the
completion of this line ; yet we hoped that the cold I
neglect of the Government would not be permitted to ,