The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-21 00:00:00

peace, or to assert that a man is not the less a patriot
for being the more a cosmopolite. No : the experi-
ence of eighteen centuries does not falsify the hopes
of humanity, does not prove the lust of carnage to be
eternal, does not negative the harmonious deductions
of ROUSSEAU—of that ROUSSEAU, who has recently been
christened by a congenial writer,* "the Philosopher
of Love and the Poet of Politics." Our past experi-
ences have failed to demonstrate the frivolity of
theseideas because those experiences have never yet
shown that the rage of battle has been contempora-
neous with the diffusion of knowledge. For more
than thirty years peace has been preserved without
any very grievous interruption throughout the whole
of the European continent; and in that interval of
tranquillity the mind of the nations has continued in
an unexampled state of activity. Knowledge has
spread over the social system ; it has penetrated the
darker recesses of the community; it has rendered
wisdom portable, and has popularised philosophy.
Science has emerged from the grove and the porch
of the Academy ; it has appeared in the streets and
in the workshop. Literature has been emancipated
from the bookshelf, and scattered abroad in the
homes of industry. The orator and the journalist
have competed with each other in disseminating those
ideas which fructify in the hearts of the million—
their tripod has been respectively the tribune and the
printing press. For more than thirty years this
rivalry has been sustained, and at the end of that
interval the most gigantic convulsions of government
have proved incapable of overthrowing the structures
of civilization ; they have attested that society can
no longer be embroiled when its cupidity
has been vanquished by rational enterprise and its
ignorance dissipated by systematic instruction.
What has been one of the most brilliant testimonies
of this transformation ? That sentence which was
pronounced but yesterday by the lips of ALPHONSE
DE LAMARTIN E—" Our treaties are sympathies, our
diplomatists are nations !" On Good Friday, there-
fore, the epoch of the Redemption, the anniversary of
the Crucifixion of CHRIST, we may dream without
derision of a permanent and universal amity among
the nations of Christendom.

The admirable letter which the Right Rev. Dr.
KENNEDY, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Killaloe,
has recently addressed to the Rev. Mr. BERMINGHAM,
P.P. of Borrisokane will, we trust, be extensively
circulated throughout all parts of the country, and
we als3 hope that the episcopal brethren of that truly
Christian prelate will follow the example thus afforded
by promptly and vigorously rebuking sentiments so
adverse to those by which a minister of the Gospel

should be actuated vvhenscever and wheresoever they

may be put forward. We gladly acknowledge the pro
priety of conduct adopted by the great majority
of the Roman Catholic clergymen, but unfortunately
there are exceptions to the general rule. Men " who
(in the words of the respected Bishop), while profess-
ing themselves anointed ministers of the GOD of peace,
do not hesitate to counsel war with all its frightful
and indescrikable horrors—who, instead of exhibiting
themselves the zealous and indefatigable apostles of
peace and patience, of self-denial and charity, do rot
blush to assume, in the face of the world, the
unnatural characters of abettors of anarchy and
bloodshed, and in sustainment thereof dare
to profane the sacred Scriptures by quoting
them against their DivusE AUTHOR." To all
such persons the castigation so ably adminstered will
come home with the most powerful effect. They
have been repeatedly and emphatically warned. The
course of theological study which they must neces-
sarily have gone through to qualify them for the
position they have attained, should be amply sufficient
to teach them how utterly it is opposed to the
sacerdotal character to stimulate those whose
spiritual interests are committed to their charge
to acts of violence and outrage, of tumult and blood
shed, which must be wholly subversive of their tem-
poral and eternal welfare. But this is not all. The
recognised head of their Church has issued his re-
script from the Vatican, calling upon the various
classes of the clergy to abstain from all such un-
seemly demonstrations, and requiring the several
prelates to see that this salutary admonition is
duly obeyed in their respective dioceses. We
rind, therefore, that such acts are alike op-
posed, to their duties as Christian men, as
ministers of the Roman Catholic Church, and
also to their allegiance as British citizens. And yet
such atrocious doctrines have been put forward as
" that Ireland should rise to the contest as one man,
and that every man, as he is about to take up his
position, to perform this the most glorious act of his
life should make a vow to the following effect :---1 I
vow, before GOD and my country, to lessen if
I can, by one man at least, the enemies of
my native land, and to die.' " This is, indeed,
strange teaching for a minister of the Gospel
of peace. It inculcates not a fair and manly con-
test in the open field, but dastardly and cowardly
murder by the assassin's hand. Every man is to vow
that he will sacrifice at least one enemy of his native
land—but who is to define the parties who may be
included within that definition ? Does it not directly
imply a war of extermination, a war to the knife,
conducted on principles wholly opposed to those
which are recognised in even the most sanguinary
warfare ? What act of atrocity would not be justi-
fied under such a pledge ? But, lest it might not
be sufficiently explicit, lest some doubt might be
entertained that it was meant to be restricted
to persons arranged in hostile ranks, this Christian
minister adds—"Be sure you do all the mischief
in your power—or all the good I should say, for the
mischief is good in this case—by all the means within
your reach, and think not one moment of living—to
do or die, or to do and die be this your motto."
Well might the venerable Prelate conceive that it
would be folly to argue with such a person. A man
who could give utterance to such atrocities has mis-
taken his vocation, and should be stripped
of the gown he has disgraced, of the
sacred character which he has profaned.
How will he respond to the concluding sentence of
the letter of his indignant diocesan, who thus
addresses him—" As for me, I will only say that
these letters make you appear to be entirely out of
your place, and that you should either speedily
retrace your steps, or at once manfully retire from
the sanctuary." We would not desire to close the
gates of mercy to a repentant sinner. A prompt
obedience to the call thus made, a firm resolution
never again to offend in like manner, may again
bspiritequalifye;
disciplined, tbh ue tR euv.
nr Bm
and
dat
broughteai N m when
period
G Hi
hao
atos
arrived
r moreiv hised
hecm hi
snr
hi
sd
ot hui
aal
nds
not be suffered to add that weight to his sanguinary
counsel that balongs to the arguments of a minister
of religion.

The lovers of peace are, without doubt, filled with
lamentation
of affairs throughout
Europe.
Great at
sapfhne intment and inex-
pressible sword unsheathed
and the beaconstliir of
Utopian
the
is recent
their
ignited,tosee after so long a period
beacons
arw
of general pacification—after they had ventured to
anticipate the speedy realisation of
aspirations of universal amity and harmony. Never-
theless, however much appearances may be against
them, we are inclined to think that the most ardent
philanthropists and advocates of peace have little oc.
casion to mourn over the present aspect of affairs.
It is true that iolent commotions in various king-
doms have greativ y agitated, and threatened to destroy
the peace of Europe ; but war, where war has actu..
ally broken out, is now only a means of attaining
an object, is no longer itself the aim of any na•
tion's desires. Glory—that hitherto marvellous and
well nigh miraculous word—has lost its talismanic
power, its charm is departed. Glory is no longer the
rappel which rouses whole nations to arms, glory is
no longer the watchword which impels them irre-
sistibly
—n '
to victory. Other and holier influences now
stir the hearts of nations • other and holier objects are
now the guerdons of popular ambition. This
fact--for it is a most indubitable fact—would receive
abundant di
neirlsiloannd at r at
appealsion
were
o f
Gwoevetornmtuernnts over the
na-
tions of half a
those published
einntuy back, and compare them with
ther present day. How vivid would
be the contrast, fqr example, between those eloquent
discoursesspiritof war,;
of former
times, which breathed the very
war,:
and
ever alm declaration or the Frenet.
irable the ever memorable and
that the foreign
Minister, which proclaimed

* Histoire des Girondins. Lib, xliv. cap. 7.

policy of his country is summed up in one
word—Peace. We recently commented upon a most
earnest and truthful panegyric, pronounced by the
eloquent lips of LAMARTINE, and addressed to a body
of his partially disaffected countrymen, upon the
significant word confidence. Such a panegyric, upon
such a word and under such circumstances, is
another encouraging evidence of the predominating
spirit of the age. An additional evidence of a similar
character is afforded by the proclamation just issued
by some of the most influential of the leaders of the
Italian Liberals. That proclamation contains :a
panegyric, as earnest and emphatic as that of M. LA'
MARTINE, upon the momentous and sublime word
unity. The renovated spirit of Italian nationality
pervades the whole of this Italian address, and in-
spires its earnest exhortation to the people of
.111 Italy to ccmbine together for their mutual
welfare and the regeneration of their common country.
" Now, that the doctrines of Italy," such is the
earnest language of the exhortation—" Now, that
the doctrines of Italy are rising again triumphant
throughout the Peninsula, under the guidance of the
universal: cry that invokes union, this magic sound
should not remain an abstract and empty word, but
should become a truth—a fact—serving as a founda-
tion and safeguard to our political existence and
future glory. But this union (so it goes on) cannot
be obtained without forming, by common consent,
a. central and supreme authority to represent Italy,
and serve as a legitimate organ to the national
opinion and will—a supreme directing authority
agreed to, venerated, and obeyed throughout the
land." In pursuance of this idea, it is proposed, we
know not with what prospect of realisation to establish
an Italian Diet—a National Assembly of all Italy.
As a mode of asserting and ensuring the nationality
of Italy and the unity of the Italian states, such an
assembly would, without doubt, be eminently effec-
tual ; but, however it may be practically beneficial,
and consequently advisable, it is impossible to decide
until the proposed plan Ise further developed—it
impossible to decide how far the establishment of the
Italian Diet would be likely to promote unity without
knowing whether or not the establishment of such a
power might interfere with the jurisdiction of the Go-
vernment of Rome, and hence promote discord in-
stead of promoting unity. This, however, is a matter
on which we can give no opinion until we receive
further information. The establishment of the
Italian Diet forms also the subject of an address to
the POPE from deputies of the different states of
Italy, in which address they desire the PONTIFF to
permit the convocation of an assembly of the repre-
sentatives of the Italian states to be held in Rome,
forming a national Parliament. " All the citi-
zens of Italy," say they, " with hearts over-
come by unspeakable joy, turn full of
hope and trust to the generous PONTIFF who
has initiated the Italian resurrection, and entreat
him to accomplish the holy work commenced. These
people have the consciousness of their nationality,
are sons of the same family, and earnestly desire to
bind the compact of love and brotherhood, uniting
themselves round their father and liberator." Whe-
ther the Italian Diet be established or not, these
pacific expressions and aspirations after unity among
the people of one nation, like LAMARTINE'S aspiration
for peace between nations, evince in a most satis-
factory and unmistakeable manner the liberal and
withal pacific spirit which now animates the hearts
of the people of Europe.

Letters from Athens of the 4th instant state tha
the KING had signed a general amnesty.

Madrid journals of the loth have arrived. They
are barren of intelligence.
MADRID BOLSA, APRIL 15.—Three per Cents., 21
cash ; Five per Cents. 131 paper ; Coupons, 9 paper ;
Bank of St. Ferdinand, par, cash (with div.) Exchange
on 60 days, 41 paper.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC

PROCEEDINGS AT PARIS.

We have received the Paris papers of yesterday.
The grand national festival to celebrate the frater-
nization of the army and the National Guard took
place as announced yesterday, and was concluded
by a grand military demonstration, the like
of which has never before perhaps been witnessed.
The whole of the forces under arms, consisting of
330,000 National Guards and Garde* Mobiles and
5,000 troops of the line, fell into rank and marched
round the Boulevards and through the city in mili-
tary order, with drums beating and colours flying.
The procession took eight hours in passing any
given spot in the line of march. The greatest enthu-
siasm prevailed and the most kindly dispositions were
manifested towards the troops, the National Guards,
and the Provisional Government. Up to the hour of

post the greatest tranquillity prevailed, and there was
no probability of that tranquillity being interrupted.
It is considered that this demonstration will

strengthen immensely the power of the moderate.
members of the Provisional Government.

The appearance of the National Guard and the
Garde Mobile was peculiarly characteristic. The
National Guard exhibited the strangest motley ap-
pearance ; not above half their number in uniform—
some wore blouses, others coats, cloaks, and vest-

ments of every variety of fashion and colour. The
strangest confusion of classes was also observable.
Individuals, who from their bearing and costume be-
longed evidently to the more affluent classes, were
seen bearing muskets beside men in blouses, porters,
messengers, and guards in uniform. In some cases
the more provident of the guards had a loaf stuck
upon their bayonets.
Previous to marching to the Champ de Mara the
National Guard took up the positions assigned to
them along the Boulevards, from the Place de la
Bastille to the Madeline. From time to time a regi-
ment of the line marched along the centre of the
Boulevards headed by its band playing the national
airs. This was invariably the signal for enthusiastic
cheering from the National Guards on either side,
which was duly responded to and acknowledged by
the regular troops. The Guard Mobile, not yet pro-
vided with uniform, and therefore presenting a sin-
gular appearance of a body of armed operatives,
appeared from time to time. Cheers were likewise
interchanged between these and the National Guards
and regular troops respectively.
By ten o'clock the whole line of the Boulevards,
the Place de la Concorde, and the Champs Elysees,
were occupied by National Guards. The fete was
conducted exactly according to the programme which
we published yesterday.
At eight o'clock this morning the Provisional
Government left the Hotel of the Minister of War
in carriages, to take up their places at the Arc de
Triomphe, where a handsome platform was fitted up
for them, decorated with a profusion of flags, stream-
ers, and other decorations. They were attended by
an escort of Hussars, and as they passed they were
loudly cheered by the troops, who, even at that early
hour, were drawn up in the Champs Elysees. Im-
mediately on taking their places, twenty-one guns
were fired, to announce the commencement of the fete.
Behind the Members of the Provisional Govern-
ment were placed the Members of the Council of
State ; the deputations of the Court of Cassation,
of the Court of Accounts, of the Court of Appeal,
andtluddFvworking
deputation
eoappnbyruuaokrotr
itfui
raan;eattt
ogisrihoofy:en:
classes;nro under-secretaries
deputation
-ste
the
shphet
eufeer
the
tritachhecatot
auoei
uomnprp emcelirosisnilsfcot
oinotepfhgefsaeesl
deputationput
opaoueafotnrbdendaglon
administrative
ivi-onteednffihirteseptcdermuewh arftaetoosiiuneruvstseanp s
instructionndeooofdelef
of the
as:
ntt;ad-
miralshechoaeaa-efl
offences ; the colonels of the different legions of the
National Guards and of the detachments of the army;
the chefs de bataillon of the National Guard Mobile;
the colonels of the republican guard and of the civic
guard, all accompanied by their colour-bearers, as-
sembled in front of the estrade.
At nine o'clock the distribution of the colours
commenced. Each colonel ascended the platform
successively, and was addressed in a short speech, by
one or other of the members of the Provisional Go
vernment ; after which the colours were presented to
him, and he made a short speech in reply. The
Iveasndaotthtehre ohffieacdersofthethneirretirreegdi,maenndts.placAeds
IT ,r- t
colonels
ym stt!c,
ws,
saluted ~'ittl clieespubolitque-ty, iveThies
the di L
la
particular
ccGohaleorednreeeldsN
oafat itiohdnea
with