The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-18 00:00:00

SUN, LONDON,

presentative rights should net be tampered
with. And hence it is, also, that the most ardent
lover of libert3, and upholder of popular rights who
may exist within these kingdoms need experience
no envy or jealousy of the French. He has no
cause to look enviously on the present constitution—
he has no cause to listen jealously to their exulting
shouts of " Liberty." Because, if his sentiment be
true and honest—if his aspirations after popular
liberty be hearty and sincere—he must admit that
" national sovereignty," the great, the only, desidera-
tum of the true patriot and philanthropist, is legally
admitted and theoretically established by the
British Constitution. It is better demonstrated
in theory than carried out in practice, we
admit. Our object should be to reduce the
theory into practice. There exists in England
no necessity for a revolution, no need to set aside
the laws. What we require, on the contrary, is the
enforcement of the laws, and the reformation of illegal
abuses. We, like the French, require a free exercise of
the elective franchise, and an absence of all inter-
ference in elections, whether direct or indirect. We,
like the French, require some efficient preservation
against that worst of all corruptions—the corruption
of intimidation, and moral oppression of conscience.
When we listen to reports of daily recurrence telling
how in one place 4751. was given for one vote, and
how in another tenants are ejected for exercising
their prerogative, we are fain to acknowledge that,
although the national sovereignty may be fairly
admitted in theory, it is most iniquitously
set aside in practice. By an unintentional
and purely accidental coincidence, the important
subject of elections has this week particularly occu-
pied public attention both in England and in France.
In the House of Commons Committees of Inquiry
have deliberated on the matter, and petitions from
constituencies have been presented, praying for yet
further investigation. I❑ France the people have on
this matter refused to submit to the interference even
of their recently established popular rulers. And
those rulers have applauded such refusal, more by
the discourse of LAMAaTINE, to which we have just
alluded, and also by a recently published proclama-
tion of the entire Government, to which we shall
take another opportunity of referring. The conclu-
sion to be deduced from these simultaneous move-
ments is inevitable. The people of England and
France have both become aware that a free exercise
of the elective franchise is the only true way of exer-
cising their undoubted rights. " The battle of the
constitution must be fought in the Registration
Courts," said Sir R. PEEL some time ago. We may
go a step further now, and declare that the national
sovereignty can only be rightfully exercised in the
polling-booth.

A latter from Amsterdam, dated Wednesday
night, says that the Dutch Ministry have resigned in
a body. This is considered as very favourable to the
Liberal cause.

A German journal, the Oberland Bole, which we
have this moment received, contains the following :
" Hungary has declared its independence of Aus-
tria, and has proclaimed a republic."
A new change of Ministry took place on the 13th
instant at Munich. The Prince of OEITINGEN
WALLERSTEIN has resigned. M. VoN VERGER, Ba-
varian Minister in Switzerland, has.become Minister
of Foreign Affairs, and M. VON BEISLER, Minister
of Justice, is to be replaced by M. WlLLicu, a
Deputy.
The resignation of the Prince WALLERITEIN
had produced a very bad impression on the public
mind.

The Allgemeine Zeitung contains the following
semi• official statement :—" We inserted the other day
a paragraph, to the effect that Bavaria had recog-
nised the French Republic. His Majesty the KING
wishes peace with France, without regard to its
form of government ; if, however, it should take an
aggressive or encroaching position towards Germany,
Bavaria, true to her duties, will shed the last drop
of her blood for the independence and integrity of
Germany:"
The insurrection of the peasants in Wurtemburg
continues, and is spreading. Troops of peasants are
wandering about singing republican songs. At
Bockelheim (between Meisenheim and Kreuznach)
• --euullque li written on the walls of
the houses. At Meisenheim (in Hesse-Homburg) a
large body of peasants proceeded to the mayor of
the district, and fixed a certain period for him to
abolish the taxes on new wine, on salt, and turn-
pikes. At Rothenbuch (near Aschaffenburgh) the
people broke into the gunsmiths' shops, and took
away all the arms and powder they could find, and
continued firing and shouting all the night, without
however doing bodily harm to any one. An estafette
arrived at Aschaffenburg on the 9th, from the Prince
of LEININQEN, from Armorbach, demanding military
for his protection. Serious disturbances have taken
place at Miltenberg; the movement has also spread
to Bavaria.
A letter, dated Heillbronn, 9th March, says--"In
consequence of the disturbances in the possessions of
the Ilohenlohes, many of the nobles have taken to
flight. 'We have also received accounts of serious
disturbances in Baden, where the peasants have risen
against the nobles."

A letter from Mannhei►n, of the 10th, says that
three companies of infantry and a squadron of cavalry
left on that day for the Odenwald, where serious riots
had occurred.

In the Grand Duchy of Baden the old feeling of
hatred against the members of the Jewish confession
has revived, and many of them have been cruelly ill-
treated.

The Prussian Universal Gazette, of the 15th of
March, publishes a royal ordonnance convoking the
Diet for the 27th of April next.
The following proclamation, exhorting the citiaens
to refrain from further disturbances, had been issued
by the Burgomaster and Senate of Berlin :
" The excited spirit in the countries around has like-
wise agitated the minds of men in our city, and has en-
gendered desires of reform in our burghers. We, in
conjuncth n with the civic authorities, have laid these
wishes at the loot of the throne.
"Fellow-citieens and inhabitants of Berlin,—We well
know the heart and inclination of our King. They
have been incessantly clirc cted to the welfare of our
country, and to the political development of our father-
land, and only a few days since we have received the
greatest pledges of his confidence in his people ; there-
fore let us not depart from the paths of tho law and
of order. Let us refrain from every step which is
capable of misinterpretation, or might tend to the in-
crease of excitement and to the disturbance of order ;
and let us now, as always, trust to the paternal wisdom
of our King.

" We lament, in common with all right-minded bur-
ghers and inhabitants of , our city, that the disorders
which took place last night compelled the interference of
the armed force for the maintenance of legal order. On
this account we cannot but wish that each of us, and all
who have any persons under their control, should stand
aloof from every participation in tumultuous assemblies,
which are not requisite tor the attainment of our wishes,
and cannot promote them; while, on the contrary, they
expose our families to the greatest danger.
"The Chief Burgomaster and Senate of our Royal city.
" Berlin, March 14."
The following flying sheet has been extensively cir-
culated in Prussia :

" A VOICE 'ROM EAST PRUSSIA.
" There are turning points in the destinies of nations at
which the resolution of the moment entails a responsi-
bility for centuries to come. _

"Such a day of decision has at length dawned on
Prussia ; not only our happiness, but our very existence,
is at stake—our existence as a people, as Prussians, as
Germans

" When half a century ago the revolution first dis-
torted the west of Europe with its throes, the rulers of
the north advanced to meet the enraged elements, and
from the Ardennes to the banks of the Niemen innume-
rable battle-fields record the disgrace of the German
name. The scorn of nations, we were compelled at
Tilsit to hear our destiny decreed by the voice of the
conqueror, who shared the spoil with our Ally.
" Our victories afterwards obliterated the disgrace of
that defeat. But the burdens of that period still oppress
our landed possessions and our trade; the infamy of the
iniquitous and compulsory war against liberty still ad-
heres, unexpiated, to the German name.
" Can—oug4ht this misery to be renewed?
" We look with hope, ar.d millions with us, to the
wisdom of our Sovereign. The danger of the present
state of thir gs—the necessities of his people—ho can,
and assured'iy will, r&-cognise. But other voices than 0014
will speak in his ears !
" We are too well acquainted with that Power which
so willingly interferes between German princes and their
People—whose icy breath freE zes life away whose
friendship 'entails more embarrassments than even war
itself. Already are Germans, from the Dwina to the
pinings
dominions.beneathit Russia its yoke;
sours rivers have their
sourcesNe
Neva,
in its
not forgotten that
her eagles once settled upon the pinnacles of Kifsnigsberg.
The friendship of Russia has ruined our prosperity, and
thirty years ago robbed us of the reward of our Vigo-

tories. Is she to end by trampling into annihilation the,
as yet, scarcely blossoming germ of our national exist-
ence? Is she once more to render Germany's struggles
for freedom the laughing-stock of the world, and for
ever to exclude us from the councils of civilized and en-
nobled nations? _

" These are no dreams, no spectres conjured up by the
imagination I All will assume the face of frightful fact
the moment that the counsels of the northern autocrat
shall engross the ears of our King, and so render him
deaf to the voice of his people.
" We therefore lift up this voice aloud, while it is yet
time, and before it is drowned in the torrent of rapidly
succeeding events. With manly courage we proclaim
that we will not war against honour, interest, and free.
dom; that we know our enemies, and that they shall not
find us unprepared. We are for King and fatherland
the same as ever; but we will contend as men, and no
longer as serfs. The arms of the nation are in the
bands of the people, and the people will not, in alliance
with barbarians, turn them against their own bosoms."

According to the Lega Italian, the King of
NAPLES has consented to the separation of Sicily, and
has appointed as Viceroy Admiral Ruammto SET-
Tato, the President of the Provisional Government.
At Rome it was expected that the constitution
would be proclaimed on the 11th.
A league, offensive and defensive, is spoken of be-
tween the POPE, the King of SARDINIA, and the
Grand Duke of TUSCANY,
The following circular has been sent to the censors
by the Tuscan Government :
" After the serious events of Paris, where it appears
that republican tendencies have taken the upper hand,
it is of the highest interest to the security of our state,
that such tendencies be prevented from spreading
amongst us. The Government, determined as it is to
proceed with those reasonable and moderate reforms
which it has begun, and which are the only ones
that it is possible to realise with the certainty of true
and permanent prosperity, is also resolved to
use all its power in repressing any exaggerated and
highly pernicious opinions subversive of the present
order of things, in the above-mentioned sense, which the
illusions or the evil intentions of a few would insinuate
among the public. It is, therefore, my duty to inform
you, sir, that it is the firm intention of the Government
that writings tending to foment, either directly or
indirectly, the spirit of Republicanism, will be allowed to
appear in print, and more particularly in periodicals.
You are, therefore, expressly instructed to give the most
precise and energetic directions to the censors attached
to the office over which you preside, that the reasonable
views of the Government be scrupulously, and at every
cost, promoted by the rejection of such writings as may
be more or less hostile to the principles and the funda-
mental forms of the state, and which, therefore, fall
under the express censure of Art. 18 of the law of May
6, 1847. You will also remind the censors of their duty
to make known the writings they have rejected, and
enjoin them to give information to Government by your
means of any infraction of the law which may have taken
place, as soon as it comes to their knowledge."

Madrid papers of the 11th have arrived. They
bring no news.
MADRID BOLSA, MARcU 11.—The Three per Cents.
were done at 251 at 50 days; the Five per Cents. at
141 for paper ; the Debt without Interest at 5 ; and
the Coupons at 10.

CESSATION OF DIPLOMATIC RE-
LATIONS BETWEEN AUSTRIA AND
FRANCE.
A telegraphic dispatch, received at the South-
Eastern Railway Station, announces that Austria has
renounced all (diplomatic relations with France,
without, however, declaring war.

ACCOUCHEMENT

HER MAJESTY.

BIRTH OF A PRINCESS.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, MARCH 18, 1848.
This morning, at eight o'clock, the Queen was
safely delivered of a Princess.

In the room with her Majesty were his Royal
Highness Prince Albert, Dr. Locock, and Mrs. Lilly,
the monthly nurse ; and in the rooms adjoining were
the other medical attendants, Sir James Clark and
Dr. Ferguson, and also her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent. the Lady in Waiting on the Queen,
and the Ministers and Officers of State summoned on
the occasion. _ . 0:- ri."vg.
Grey, Secretary of State for the Home Department ;
Sir Charles Wood, Chancellor of the Exchequer;
the Duke of Wellington, Commander-in-Chief; the
Earl Spencer, Lord Chamberlain ; the Duke of Nor-
folk, Master of the Horse ; the Earl of Auckland,
First Lord of the Admiralty ; Lord Campbell, Chan-
cellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; Earl Grey, Sacre
tary of State for the Colonies ; Mr. Labouchere,
President of the Board of Trade; and Earl For-
tescue, Lord Steward.

RUMOURED VACANCY IN THE COURT OP ALDER-
mBN.—We understand that it is more than probable
that a vacancy will shortly occur in the Court of
Aldermen, one of the body having, it is said, ex-
pressed his intention to retire into private life. We
trust that the Liverymen of the ward about to be
vacated may make good use of the opportunity thus
afforded, and select a gentleman whose previous con-
duct has been such as to afford the best guarantee for
the efficient discharge of tho important duties of that
station which, in all probability, eventually leads to
the election of the party to the highest civic office—
that of Chief Magistrate of: this great metropolis.
Many qualifications are to be sought for before the
candidate is finally chosen. He should be of ap-
proved liberality, and closely connected with the
interests he may be called upon to represent. It
would also be desirable that he should be a Member
of the Imperial Parliament, in order that he might
have the fullest opportunity of advocating in the
Legislature the general welfare of the City. Such a
person is to be found in Mr. J. Williams, Member
for Macclesfield, a gentleman who has won his way
by his own exertions to his present position in
society—who has pursued an honourable and upright
course, and gained the cordial esteem and respect of
all who have the honour of his acquaintance. He is
engaged in the silk trade, which is as yet, we be-
lieved, unrepresented in the aldermanic body, and has
for many years been a Liveryman of the Weavers'
Company.