The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-03 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, MARUE 3, 1856.

Notwithstanding the extraordinary precautions
adopted against any leaky 2;e from the salon of
Count WALEWSKI, the alleged proceedings at the
different Conferences are openly canvassed in
Paris, and statements are made not only as to
the questions under discussion, but also as to the
line of argument, and even the demeanour of the
different Plenipotentiaries. The fact of the
armistice was officially announced iu the organ
of the French Government. That, however,
was a tangible fact, which was disposed of for the
time being, and which could not bo withheld
from the public. But much more has been com-
municated. It is more than hinted that a Rus-
sian view of the armistice was suggested that led
to a serious debate. CJunt ORLOFF is said to
have insisted that the armistice should not
merely occasion a total suspension of hostilities,
but of all preparations for their resumption, and
all transport of stores, troops, &c. This, how-
ever, was too one-sided a view of the case.
Russia could of course do what she pleased in
her Own territories. She could recruit her al-
most exhausted resources to the utmost possible
extent—could procure men, money, ammunition,
and previsions, while France and England, that
were conducting the contest at a distance of 3,000
miles from their chief ports, were to abstain
from sending either troops or stores ; so that,
if these extraordinary sunestions had been re-
cognised, there would be an unprofitable con-
sumption of articles of primary necessity, which
there would be no possibility of rep'acing, until
Some weeks after the termination of the truce.
The navy was, however, virtually excluded, and
the arrangement was only concluded between the
armies of the belligerents. And it was also sti-
pulated that it should not have any effect on the
blockades established or to be established.
It was also asserted that the portion of the
point referring to the " rectification of the Rus-
sian territory was questioned, the Russian Pleni-
potentiaries declaring that it was framed without
reference to topographical considerations, that the
chain of mountains referred to in the Austrian
proposition only existed for a very short distance,
and that the line to the sea was altogether ima-
.
gmery. That would seem, however, to have been
merely a preliminary protest, showing that the

acceptance by Russia was of a qualified character,

and that further discussion would be indispens-
able before a final settlement of the vexei
gnes-
tions could be completed.
The next meeting, that cf the 28th ultimo, is
described $o have been, of a grave, not to sAy
contentions; character. The Tilnd correspondent

asserts that the term " stormy," which has been

used in many quarters, is going too far. It
seems quite clear, however, that everything was
not quite so favourable as had been anticipated,
and a morning contemporary declares that one of
the representatives of
_England was about to pay
a hurried visit to London, in order to obtain
additional instructions from his Government.
It would appear, however, that the meeting of
Saturday was of a more auspicious description.
The Post, usually well informed, says that the
preliminaries of peace were actually signed, but
that they were identical with the Austrian propo-
sitions, which were the bases of negotiation. We
need not explain that if so, it means nothing—
that the Fifth Point, ou which disputes were
most likely to arise, could not even have been
♦entilated—and that lout little progress has really
been made towards the completion of the antici-
pated treaty. The only auguries, therefore, that
cm be deduced are founded on the supposed atti-
tude of the Russian Plenipotentiaries ; and it is
unnecessary to warn our friends and the public
that but little reliance can be placed on such in-
dications, which may be manifested solely for the
purpose of creating, or attempting to create, diffi-
culties between the other parties—a matter
which, as we have repeatedly explained, Russia
would strain every nerve to accomplish.
It is a part of the Muscovite game to profess
unbounded confidence in the result of the Con-
ferences. At present all the thick-and-thin ad-
herents of the Czea seem to have become peace-
at-any-price men. They have apparently adopted
the principles of Mr. Jogs BRIGHT, and might
assume standing collars and broad brims with
considerable effect. But such sudden conversions
are always suspicious, and, in' place of being
grasped at with reckless haste, should excite
increased vigilance and caution on our part.
No allusion has been made to the all-important
topic of an indemnity. Nothing can be satisfac-
tory to the Allied Powers which does not comprise
this indispensable condition—a condition which
Russia would vigorously insist on if she could
put forward as strong claims,-and which will alone
afford adequate security for the future peace and
tranquillity of Europe and the world.
From what can be gathered from the various
rumours, it would seem that Lord CLARENDON
has hitherto been " firm." We only hope that
that he may continue so to the last, and stead-
fastly resist all the sinister influences, German or
Belgian, that may be brought to bear during the
continuance of the arduous task entrusted to his
charge. If he be so, ho will achieve a high posi-
tion among English statesmen, second to none of
his predecessors. If otherwise, even the fall of
Lord JOHN RUSSELL will be less deplorable than
that of the diplomatist to whom England now
looks up with trust and confidence.

On Wednesday Mr. CLAY'S Bill for the abolition
of Church Rates is to be•read a second time, and
Lord JOHN MANNERS is to move that it be read a
second time that day six months.
We hope the House will this time give its assent
by a majority which will settle the question for
over. It were, in every point of view, wisest to
do so. Churchmen may be as stubborn as Rus-
sians, but they are as certain to be beaten. Even
the Archbishop of CANTERBURY has lowered his
flag half-mast high. Mr. PACKS has dune s ome-
thing very similar, but both may be quite sure
that, could they carry the measures they have
proposed, it would not be a settlement.

According to the Archbishop's Bill, the parishes
which rebel successfully are to become exempt—
according to Mr, PAcKE's, all parishes are to be
liable for repairs of the church and its, fittings,
and for nothing else. The prelate divides the
parishes into tributary and non-tributary ; the
country squire divides the expenses, and subjects
Dissenters to capitation tax, for one half, while
he exempts them from the other. The peaceful
divine would leave the great rebellious towns to
enjoy the immunity they have earned, but unfor-
tunately would set hundreds of parishes fighting
for similar exemption. The rural member
would renew the war in all the large towns
where this ecclesiastical fire had burnt itself out.
Manchester will never again pay for the repairs
of churches, let Mr. PACKE do what he may ; and
none but priest-ridden rural p %fishes will long
submit in patience to the rates, if by continued
and successful opposition they can get rid of them
finally.
Mr. CLAY'S Bill provides for the immediate and
entire abolition of Church Rates. It saves them
only till debts incurred on the security of them
are extinguished, or salaries of individuals depen-
dent on them drop by death. It provides for
and authorises voluntary collections by the Church-
wardens, arranging the mode of audit and quali-
fication of auditors. Sir WlLLum's Bill is there-
fore simply a real abolition bill, saving life in-
terests, and the rights of those who have been
in3uced to expend their money on the security in
question. In accepting these qualifications the
Dissenters have done themselves credit ; they
have shown that they are actuated by no more
fanaticism, which overlooks any passable claim
of vested interest, and if Churchmen be prudent
they had better accept the proffered terms at once.
Should the contest be prolonged a future Act may
consist of but one clause.

Last year Sir WILLIAM beat the Government
by a majority of 28, and on the question of going
into committee gained a majority of 58. After
this even a defeat would but bring on a yet more
vigorous attack the following session. Honour-
able members who last year voted right can hardly
reverse their votes, or even absent themselves
from the division, this year. Indeed they
will do wisely to think of their seats.
If peace be concluded a dissolution may
be very near, and many a member will find that a
considerable knot of his supporters, sufficient to
turn his election, can fight the battle of obstinacy
with him. Liberals must not rely on sham libe-
rality at another election. The country will be in
a mood to judge its legislators by their works. It
will be in vain to allege the insignificance of the
question ; the reply will be that if insignificant
the ex-member might have conceded it to his sup-
porters, but that no nuisance, no grievance is in-
significant. Still worse would it be to talk of its
importann?: for the ready reply would be ; yes,
too important for us to endure a wrong vote upon
it.

We know of no decent excuse for prolonging
the contest further. Every argument has long
been exhausted. The popular determination is
clearly manifest. The very petitions in
favour of the impost this session by the
unknown places whence they originate, and
the shabby condition of the signatures, as re•
ported to the House, attest the character of the
opposition. Ministers ought to take the matter
up, to adopt Sir WILLIAM'S Bill, and to give
parish repose thus far to the country. It is
really a pity to waste further the time of Parlia-
ment; we have not too much work done in a session,
and why should time be annually wasted on a
demand which must as certainly be granted as
those for the great reforms of the last thirty years
have already been ? We advise Hopourable
Muabers to be at their post on Wednesday at

twelve o'clock, and constituents interested in the
question to apprise their representatives of their
wishes.

The discussions respecting the important ques-
tion of the Royal Prerogative as to the creation
of Life Peerages is likely to lead to very impor-
tant results. One serious evil has already been
grappled with, and there is reason to hope that a
very valuable reform will be accomplished, so far
as the appellate jurisdiction of the Upper House
is concerned. It was the notorious and palpable
defects of the Supreme Court of Appeal that led
to the attempt which, if successful, would have
completely altered the character of what could no
longer be termed the hereditary branch of the
Legislature, and many of these are now likely to
be removed by the very men who previously
stuck by them with unflinching pertinacity.
The hearing of an appeal by the Lords was
virtually a legal fiction. The duties were prac-
tically delegated to a small standing committee,
composed of Peers, who had filled or were filling
high judicial offices. It would have been thought
a most extraordinary proceeding on the part of
any lay lord to vote on a purely legal question,
and when such was the acknowledged state of
affairs, why should there be any stickling for the
"shadow" of authority, where the substance had
long since been voluntarily abandoned.' The
universally recognised evil led to the attempt at
a remedy, which might have been far worse
than the disease. It was the " hereditary"
character of the House that prevented the
Crown from exercising its prerogative on many
occasions so as completely to overthrow its
boasted independence. We desire that the
independence should be established and placed on
a firm basis, so that the deliberations and deci-
sions of their Lordships should carry with them
a weight and authority which they scarcely
possess at this moment. This can only be accom-
plished by a comprehensive measure of Peerage
Reform, and any suggestion for that purpose
would come far more gracefully from the parties
themselves, than from any other branch of the
Legislature.

They now seem willing to take the first step,
and that is decidedly in the right direction,
although by uo means going so far as the nation
requires. It only deals with the judicial charac-
ter of the House. It leaves its legislative func-
tions wholly untouched. We would improve
both, and, by limiting the number of those en-
titled to votes, and abolishing the proxy system,
would add to the value of those that would re-
main ; while any danger of an unconstitutional
exercise of the Royal Prerogative would be
effectually averted. Let there be Representative
Peerages for England, as well as for Scotland and
Ireland. Let every man obtain the suffrages of
some body of his countrymen before he can par-
ticipate in the important task of framing laws for
his fellow-subjects. But, that it is essential to
obtain conflicting opinions in every deliberative
assembly, we should gladly see the election
so!ely by Peers, as in the sister kingdoms.
But in this country it would be indispen-
sable to obtain enlarged constituencies, and
we believe that those already suggested by
ourselves would be the best that could be obtained.
Making the possession of a
.hereditary or life
Peerage—for no mischief could in such case be
occasioned—the indispensable qualification would
still maintain the dignity of the nobility, which
would just be as eagerly coveted by men who had
fairly earned the rank, as it is at this moment.

This day the Committee on the Appellate Juris-
diction will commence its labours. They have many
impertant questions to discuss, one of which will
be the mode of obtaining a continuous sitting of
the court of ultimate appeal. When all other
tribunals are at all times open to the public, it is
too bad that what ought to be the most im-
portant of all should suspend its operations for
more than half a year at a time. A con-
siderable abatement of expense should also be
secured. It may be right not to render pro-
tracted litigation a cheap luxury, but the costs
should not be so exorbitant as to amount,
in many instances, to a virtual denial of justice.
We believe that their Lordships are—thanks to
the strong hint administered by the creation of
Lord WENSLEYDALE as a Peer for life—sincere in
their effort to improve the judicial character of
the House. Let us hope that they will be
equally desirous of amelioration in their legisla-
tive capacity, and that in furtherance thereof
they will speedily initiate and pass a large and
comprehensive measure of Peerage Reform.