The Sun.
London, England, 1849-08-25 00:00:00

PRICE OF SUGAR.

The average priciiOiT3norlSTUscovado Sugar, com-
puted from the returns made in the week ending August 21,
1849, is 265. 01/2d. per cwt.

THE PEACE CONGRESS AT PARIS.
THURSDAY, Am. 23.—The President took the
chair at 12 o'clock, and communicated to the Congress
six addresses from Berlin, Dantzic, Cassel, and other
places in Germany, containing expressions of sympathy
with the objects of the Congress, and thanks having been
voted to those cities,
M. COQUEREL gave notice that all the public places
would be open to the members of the Congress by order
of the Minister of Public Works.
A vote of thanks by acclamation was voted to the
Minister, which appeared much to interest the French
visitors present.
. _

The TIRFSIDENT announced that the discussion on the
second article of the programme, " general disarma-
ment," would then be taken, when
The Rev. M. COQUEREL said, we have here 600 or
800 American and English, whose end ,is to establish
principles of universal peace, in a capital where there
are erected the greatest monuments existing in the world
to the honour of armies. It is here the English and
Americans come and say, " You do wrong to make
war." It is an act of courage, for they speak to a people
who love war. Let us endeavour to complete the work
we have begun—let us endeavour to spread out the
flag of universal peace until its shadow covers all the
nations of the earth. We now have before us the
question of disarmament; let France set the example.
lhe speaker then went into a history of the foundation
of standing armies, and traced the military condition of
people previous to that epoch. He said that the esta-
blishment of standing armies was a partial disarmament.
It was necessary to supply reasons for this general dis-
armament. He bad studied a little strategy, and asked,
what is a soldier ? Not a man with a musket, or on a
horse, but a man who had received military instruction.
Henceforth, instead of instructing men as soldiers, let
them be instructed as citizens. Frenchmen, of all people,
were most apt to military inclination and capability,
and it wus they who should first change this disposition,
and France should first set the example of disarmametit.
But if he should be answered that under present circum-
stances it was impossible, he would recur to the events
of times gone by, and show that what was formerly con-
sidered as impossible had been effected. He then traced
the course of past events, and demonstrated what he had
stated by various examples. Let us not then doubt—let
us not set up this obstacle of impossibility. There is
nothing impossible but what is false, wicked, or unchris•
tian; all else is possible, and all within our means of ac-
complishment. The speaker then resumed his seat amidst
immense applause.
SURINGAR, of Holland, then advocated the neces-
sity and practicability of disarmament, adverted to the
expediency of arbitration in substitution of appeal to
military force, and observed that this, like all other great
reforms., would require time.
M. FRANCISQUE BOUVET, representative, said his
character of repmsentative of the sovereign people would
not altoge►her allow him to abstain from political dis-
cussion. He then adverted to the recent news from
Hungary, and went into some history of standing ar-
mies, observing that they had commenced in France.
He did not agree with M. Coquerel that France should
set the example of disarmament, but that it should be
simultaneous with all nations. It was said that there
were insut mountable obstacles; but, in his judgment,
no such obstacles existsid. Inopportunity had been
urged, but he considered that the proper time to propose
universal peace was during a period of war. He thought
circumstances were favourable to universal peace, and
having gone at some length into the political position of
France and Europe, as resulting from wars and revolu-
tions, urged that general disarmament should go hand
in hand with general advancement.

Mr. VINCENT supported the general disarmament, be•
cause he considered that the giving effect to the moral
force in opposition to physical was the great object of
this society; but we had to encounter the most deep-
routed prejudices. In the spread of Christianity and
its morality, of intelligence and education, was to be
found the advent of universal peace. By keeping on
toot armies we not only charge heavily our finances, but
we indoctrinate our people with the love of military dis-
play and aggression, and in this we also enlist the feel
ings and imaginations of the fairest and loveliest of the
human race, until a nation becomes impregnated with
the insanity of military glory. Are we Utopian in pro-
posing disarmament? No! We are in accordance with
that religion which says, " Love one another." We are
only proposing to subotitute mind fur matter, reason for
force, and to attain that time when an ounce of intellect
shall be better than a pound of shot. We should reduce
our armies for the sake of our finances, to bring back
into practical industry the hosts of men who are now
uselessly engaged in military life, to disseminate the
great principles of Christianity, and to bring hap-
piness to the human race. Let France and England,
for the sake of liberty, for the sake of humanity,
for the sake of commerce, for every interest
dear to humanity, associate in the great work
we now endeavour to promote; let them agree in
disarmament, and a step will be taken in thatdircorn
which shall embrace the welfare of the whole
human
race. Let us not suppose that this lies with the Govern-
ments—it is with the people. When Governments are
wrong it is when the people are not right. Let us not
be stayed by statements of Utopian absurdity or impos-
sibility. With us, aided by the book, the pen. the
tongue, and metal reason, our only weapons, all is
possible.—(The speaker was greeted with unanimous and
proloneed applause on his leaving the tribune.)
M. VICToa, of Nice, followed in support of the prin-
ciple of disarmament.
M. EMILE DE GIRARDIN—There is little difference
between the soldier of war and of peace—l am a s 44iier
of peace. I shall lay before you some figures. What
are you, gentlemen? The crusaders of peace. I will
prove to you by figures the imperious necessity of dis•
armament. But France cannot take the initiative, it
may be said ; but if no country take the initiative,
nothing can in this sense be accomialisheii. When you show
countries that is their interest you will have made much
progress. It is said on all sides, armies cannot be re-
duced ; and wherefore? The speaker then went into
an inquiry as to the creation and increase of standing
armies, and the former and present state of the army in
France. It is said that Fiance cannot reduce her army
unless the whole of Europe shall reduce its armament. If
this were true it would equally apply to all reforms, for
reform must commence somewhere. I wish liberty for
France—that liberty that liberates man—that liberty
that developer talent—that liberty that benefits the
human race ; and this is to be found in disarmament of
all nations excepting two—England and the United
States. The speaker then considered the state of the
armies in the United States and in England, for
r
purpose of showing that their number was nthoet soethae
t
amount
as to endanger liberty, but that in
was so large us to lead to bankru
rand France
°fetter liberty.
On the completion of the
meanstransport by rail-
way, one reason against the decreaseot
of the French
army would cease.
bultltehe
arm)was not a means of pre-
venting revolution,
means were to be found in a
As to • the external reasons, if
moral Government-
lay aside her insatiable love of conquest,
Franc© would
the necessity
for so large ?
a force would cease. Who
(said he)
are the Revolutionists It is the Govern-
nient,._(Tele produced tin immense uproar, a portion of
the auditory approving, and others disapproving the as-
sortion.) What are the consequences of. conserietion ?
The taking men from their families, from their induct: y,
and from peaceable employments—and for what? To
make them useless members of society. The speaker
then went into a financial investigation to show the in-
jury to the State of so large an armed force in France,
and that it affected not only that but all the best interests
of society. Let us not appeal (said the speaker) to the
passions, but the reason, and we shall have made con-
siderable progress in the course this society proposes to
itself,

Mr. Elfin; M.P. (who spoko in Froneb), said that