The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-22 00:00:00

illarninft

LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1847

There is a consistency about the explanatory
observations by which Lord Jona RUSSELL endea-
vours night after night to reconcile his opponents in
Parliament to the measures proposed by Government
for the relief of Ireland, that promises admirably for
the operation of measures so well digested and so
cautiously arranged. The Prime Minister is showing
himself fully competent for an emergency which is
altogether without any parallel. Unappalled by the
accumulated perils of the moment, he has entered
valorously upon labours greater than all the fabulous
labours of HERCULES, combined—he has to slay the
Nemean Lion of Famine—he has to cleanse im-
purities from the landlord-and-tenant system of the
sister island more numerous and more loathsome
than the impurities of the Aegean stable—he has to
strangle the serpents of selfishness and mendicity—
he has to lop off the penury and idleness which sprout
more exuberantly from the odious practice of ab-
senteeism than the heads of the Lerncean
hydra. On the assumption of office by her
MAJESTY'S present Ministers there were embarrass-
ments enough to overcome the confidence of the most
sanguine and veteran statesmen. There were indi-
eafons of foreign misunderstandings and of domestic
r!esitution such as would have induced men of less
reliance upon the integrity of their own position and
upon the soundness of their own abilities to despair
of effecting any diminution of those foreboding
difficulties otherwise than by requiring the
most enormous sacrifices from the empire.
We have now tolerably well advanced towards the
Easter vacation, and what is the condition at which
we have arrived ? What are the sacrifices we have
been called upon to make ? What are the preven-
tive measures that have been taken by the Legisla-
ture ? What has been the ardour evinced by the
Administration? What the exertions and delibera-
tions of Parliament ? As conscientious journalists,
we are impelled to take this retrospection. As
conscientious journalists, we are compelled (with but
a comparatively few exceptional considerations) to
express our satisfaction with what has been pur-
posely avoided, and what has been actually accom-
plished.
In reference to our foreign relations, it must be
acknowledged that if no decisive term has been put
to the jealousies which have latterly sprung up be-
tween the European Cabinets, a calamitous out-
break has hitherto been avoided. If a cordial re-
conciliation has not resulted from the diplomatic
correspondence of Lord PALMERSTON, an open rup-
ture has at least been prevented. If we have failed
to restore Cracow to its republican independence, we
have at least protested against the atrocious crime of
the Absolutists, and we have protested with a dig-
nity and a loudness that must have penetrated the
Imperial sanctuaries of St. Petersburgh and Vienna.
If we have failed to effect a mediation between the
United States and Mexico, we have at least the
somewhat sorry satisfaction of knowing that we are
in no manner implicated in the infamous act of
aggression of the former. If we have failed in bringing
the affairs of La Plata to a satisfactory settlement,
we have at least taken every rational measure to
accomplish the object so long desired. If s e have
failed in our proposition to arrange the differences
r. hich have estranged Queen MARIA DA GLORIA
from her subjects, we have at least protected our own
interests in Portugal, and preserved an honourable
neutrality. In every quarter of the globe our pro-
ceedings have been creditable, if they have not been
profitable or permanent, since the formation of the
Russell Cabinet.
In reference to domestic affairs we must admit that
-very much of an ameliorative character has been ac-
complished. No one but a maniac could anticipate
that such miseries as those which have descended
'upon the British islands during the past eight
months, could be dissipated by the breath of the
Legislature like the winged-seeds of the dan-
ltlion. No 'one but a maniac, we say, would
expect that further measures of assistance
could, with any degree of security, have been adopted
by a Government under similar circumstances than
those measures which have already proceeded
from the official chambers in Downing-street. Other-
-wise we might look to the performance of political
miracles, we might hope to see a harvest germinate
and ripen at the beck of a Lord-Lieutenant, or
the empty meal-bins of the peasantry be-
come replenished at the bidding of a Secretary
of State, or the sunken cheeks of the famishing
plump and bloom at the announcement of a Parlia
imentary division. What has been actually under

taken by the Legislature for the assuagement of
the existing calamities of the country has proved
to a great extent effectual, by distributing
'public moneys to the penniless ; by giving em-
.loyment to the workless ; by facilitating the
iimtroduction of food to the localities most affected by
the dearth ; by restraining the operation of those
:Li)juriou3 systems, both agricultural and municipal,
ivhich have chiefly tended to produce the notorious im-
poverishment of Ireland; by strengthening the bonds of
it common reliance between the tenantry and the pro-
prietary ; by encouraging agricultural enterprise, and
lastly, by rendering the poverty of Ireland dependent
for assistance upon the property of Ireland. This final

:measure of the introduction of the poor-laws into the

four provinces of the afflicted island is, to our thinking,
among the wisest provisions made by the Government

for the moral and social elevation of the Irish mult

tude. It will render a systematic mendicancy henceforth

impossible. It will ensure the application of all the

muscular strength of those among the able-bodied
labourers who are thrown out of employment by

. -
adverse circumstances, it will ensure the application

of all that muscular strength to remunerative

wlvks, and especially to the further cultivation of the

so;1. These are the considerations which are ine

vitAble to every unprejudiced mind on reviewing the
bygone labours of the session, and they are consi-
de;mtions which necessarily demand from us an ex-

pn!ssion of our satisfaction.

The extraordinary financial arrangement which has
just: been entered into between the Emperor of Russr.t
and the Bank of France, or, more properly speaking,
het ween the Ru.-,sian and French Governments, is
deserving of the most serioub consideration, and
..ihuuld awaken the utmost degree of vigilance
in those to whom the direction of the foreign
tt.ffairs of this country is intrusted. In ordi-
nary times, and h.anc,bi under ordinary circum-
-1 t...„ such a transaction might appear sufficiently
simple, and not deserving of any particular comment.
It would seem natural enough that the commercial
interests of one great country should assist those of
another, which, by the failure of the Larveq, or any
other calamity, might be involved in temporary diffi-

culties, and anxitlus to obtain aid for a time sufficient
to extricate them from their embarrassments. Such
an act would be not merely natural, but praiseworthy,
and would tend to improve the feelings of amity and the
mercantile relations between the kingdoms. But at the
present time, and in the present state of affairs, and
considering the manner in which the proposition was
made and accepted, it assumes an aspect of peculiar
significance, and would appear to indicate that some
great alteration has taken place in the existing rela-
tions between the Cabinets of Paris and St. Peters-
burgh.

The negotiation has not taken place between
bankers or traders. It is ostentatiously put for-
ward by the representative of Russia as coming
directly from his Imperial Master to the Freach
Court. It appears as a token of forgiveness from the
Autocrat to the King of the Barricades, a recognition
that the latter is prepared to give in his adhesion to
the Absolutist doctrines to which the former is so en-
tirely devoted, a desire to extend the Russian influ-
ence in France, and to strengthen the hands of those
smitten with Anglo-phobia, the extremes of all par-
ties, who forgetful of the best interests of their coun-
try, and of the constitutional liberties of the many in
all parts of the world, would gladly see a Muscovite
alliance substituted for the entente cordiale, to which
the perfidious conduct of the French Government,
in the affair of the Spanish marriages, gave a death-
blow. The season is propitious for such an advance
It is needless to advert to the hatred of the CZAR to
the principles of the revolution of 1830, or to the
readiness with which he would have crushed the ex-
pression of the national will, had England remained
neutral, or refused to recognise the new dynasty
called to the throne by the people. Hitherto that
dynasty has been merely tolerated, not approved of. It
was viewed with suspicion as the supporter of
universal freedom. In the French Chambers the
wrongs of Poland have ever been fearlessly dilated
on, and an annual protest against the extinction of
Polish independence has been almost unanimously
carried in both assemblies. Meanwhile England and
France were united together by the closest ties, sad
by their union were placed in the proud position of
guardians of the liberties and the peace of the world.
With such feelings as then existed there was little

danger of an attempt at the destruction of any minor
state, or, to use the more favourite expression, its
incorporation into the dominions of a more powerful
one. The ambitious designs of the Emperor were
checked. He would not rashly provoke two such
powers, bound together in close and friendly alli-
ance. He sought not, therefore, to conceal his real feel-
ings, the true character of his sentiments with regard to
the French Government and the French people. Insult
and contumely were consequently heaped upon the
former, and the KING himself was scarcely admitted
to a place in the family of Sovereigns, or his children
considered worthy of being received in mar-
riage into the house of some petty German Prince.
A charge, however, took place. The sacrifice
of that English alliance, so beneficial to the people of
both kingdoms, and so essential to the preservation
of free institutions, for the unworthy purpose of ob-
taining a large dotation for, and the personal aggran-
disement of, the youngest son of the French KING,
affor.led an opportunity fcr which the wily Autocrat
her: long panted, and of which he was not slow to
avail himself. The incorporation of Cracow, the
utter extinction of the Polish name, of the last
remnant of Polish independence, were the first fruits
of this unfortunate and grievous error. The generous
confidence that had previously existed between the
English and French Governments gave place to cold
distrust. There could no longer be that cordial co-
operation between the Cabinets, the mere knowledge
of the existence of which would alone have prevented
the attempt, and Cracow was sacrificed. New
designs are stated to be entertained by the Guizot
Ministry. The Balearic Islands, and the turning the
Mediterranean into a French lake, are supposed to be
the objects of their ambition; to attain these ends
they would succumb to the most unreasonable and
unworthy demands of the CZAR. He appreciates
their motives, sees the favourable prospect
.of chang-
ing them from the most strenuous opponents to the
zealous advocates of his policy, and he comes forward
with his disinterested offer of advancing from his im-
perial coffers 50,000,000 of francs. The result
proved that he was not mistaken in his judgment.
His offer was at once accepted. The Ministry, with-
out hesitation, permitted him to attain a position that
will enable him to exercise a great influence over the
monetary affairs of France. He is now the ruler of
the Bourse, he can at pleasure elevate or depreciate
the money market. He has attained a power greater
than that ever before enjoyed by a foreign potentate
in French affairs. What strength will that add to
any arguments he may choose to use with the Minis-
try for the time being ! We cannot doubt but that
the intelligent and right-minded portion of the com-
munity will require full explanations •at the hands of
the Ministry, and that they will consider it a fitting
ground for the greatest vigilance as to the ulterior
designs and objects of the Russian EMPEROR.

The Assembly of the States of Lower Prussia,
which opened on the Ist, closed on the Bth. One of
the last acts was a declaration of the sad condition of
the lower classes, and a recommendation for a dimi-
nution of the taxation on articles of consumption.
The Zollvereinsblatt states that the Prussian Go-
vernment intends submitting to the approaching Diet
of the States a legislative measure relative to maritime
navigation and commerce.

A 1( tter from Bologna of the 9th says that Car-
dinal UooLtsit, Legate of Ferrara, had been replaced
in the government of that province by Cardinal
FiEsciii, who, before leaving Rome, received special
instructions from the POPE. In the Romagna the
agitation of the peasantry on account of the dear-
ness of grain continued. A vessel laden with
wheat had been pillaged on the canal of Ra-
venna ; but the young men of the town took arms,
dispersed the mob, and recaptured the corn. The
zeal in the maintenance of order of the citizens of the
principal towns of the Roman States is highly appre-
ciated by the PorE, and his Holiness will, it is said,
shortly establish a Civic Guard througl- out his domi-
nions. More than 100 persons of all classes have
been arrested in Tuscany.
Several conspiracies against the POPE have been
discovered among the ecclesiastics in the Roman pro-
vinces.

Madrid papers of the 13th have arrived.

The Herald° publishes a letter from Senor CArE-
TANO DR ZUNIGA, Director of the Treasury, con-
tradic!ing the statement which had appeared in the
Clamovr Publico, that the Government had paid
Queen. CHRISTINA several millions of reals previous
to her departure for Paris.
The Espanol says it is assured that it is intended
by the Government to nominate thirty new Senators,
and atilt several of them will be members of the
Progressist party.
The Clamor Publico states that a considerable rise
had taken place in the price of bread in Madrid,
and that in many parts of the capital, the people had
assembled, and uttered reproaches against the Go-
vernment. This journal adds, that if some means be
not_takan to relieve the public distress, very serious
consequences may be expected to ensue. The same
journal mentions a rumour that the Government had
received dispatches from Pampeluna, announcing
the disc overy of a Carlist conspiracy. The object of
the conspirators was, it is said, to get possession of
the citaiiel, and rouse the people of Navarre to revolt
in favour of the Count DR MONTEMOLIN.

General JOSE DE LA CONCHA has refused the
Goverrnrient of Valencia. This fact is officially
announof ,d by the Heraldo.
The de bate on the Address had not concluded.
MADE: ID BOMA, AlAncu 13.—The Three per Cents.
were dog] e at 30j for cash ; the Five per Cents. at
ln; tl3, e Debt, without interest, at 5:13 ; and the
Coupons. at 17.

We ha ve received the Paris papers of Thursday.
The A 'ational has the following observations on the
Convent/ on just entered into with the Emperor of
RUSSIA lb y the Bank of France:—
"We vrs :re surprised, and we must even say confounded,
by a piers of intelligence which was rumoured about yes-
terday tios ruing, and which was officially confirmed in the
evening. This incredible—yet c,!rtain—intelligence is the
following; •:
—The Emperor of Russia has purchased from the
Bank of _France the greatest part of the rentes which it pos-
sesssd f)r a sum of 50,000,000 f. As soon as the fact was
known ' the 'Three per Cents. went up in lull an hour I.f. 20,..
The det.ai is of this affair are these--M.Kisseleff, the Minister
of Niclio/, as, at Paris, went on March 11 to M. Guizot, and
commune !ated to him a dispatch of M. Nesselrode, in which,
assunainl4 a mild and generous tone, that Minister expressed