The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-15 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1856.

There is still a dark cloud on the political hori-
zon. The " Precious Peace," for which rejoic-
ings have been directed, may not after all prove
so enduring as has been a,zsatned. The state of
Italy is wane sufficient to excite grave apprehen-
sions respecting the future tranquillity of Enrope.
The Notes from the S trdinian Plenipotentiaries,
to which we have already directed attention, prove
beyond the possibility of doubt the existence of
very serious elements of disturbance, which, unless
promptly and judiciously disposed of, may lead to
formidable results. Great hopei were enter-
tained of the proceedings at the Parisian Con-
ferences. It was supposed that the assembled
Plenipotentiaries could not separate without
providing some adequate remedies for the too
palpable evils. Bat these reasonable expectations
have been completely frustrated. Austria, in the
present instance, is the aggressor, and she Nei-
naciously refuses even to discuss the important
question at issue, or to permit any antidote to be
administered for the poison which she had infused
into the social system of oppressed and long-
suffering Italy. Her unwarrantable occupation of
quasi independent States, rendering the nominal
Governments mere puppets in her hands, of which
she could pull the wires at her will and pleasure,
has occasioned the mischief—and she availed her-
self of a point of form to evade the consideration
of the subiect—and is now striving to enter
into new arrangements, by which her usur-
pations may be rendered permanent —by
obtaining the guarantees of other Powers,
to support her in the position she has a-
sumed. She is now coquetting with Prus,ia,
her quondam rival. The interests of despotism
suffice for the moment to extinguish former jea-
lousies. However they may differ in other
matters, both are agreed in extinguishing every
thing tending to the freedom of oppressed Peoples,
or which may in any way lead to constitutional
Governments. Neither cLe rest on the affections
of those whom they rule with rods of iron. EACI:
may require the aid of foreign bayonets, and are
willing, in return, to bind themselves to assist in
crushing any eff.irt of popular feeling. There
have before now .
been e easpiractes of crowned
heads, and there is bat too much reason to fell-
that something of the kiwi ison the tapis at the
present moment.

EN the affairs of Italy Sardinia is primarily in-
arrested. But France and England must also bk
complications that
involved in any may arise,
They cannot without disgrace and damage to
themselves desert the ally who so nobly came for-
ward in the hour of difficulty, and so faithfully
redeemed every promise that she made. It is an
imperative duty on both Governments to sustain
Sardinia in her just and equitable demands. They
cannot, if they would, escape from the difficulty ;
and care should be taken that they are not again
" drifted into war " while -waiting for Austria.
The Germanic influence occasioned the late War,
and a 'similar course may lead to still more serious
consequences in the present instance.
But will they, warned by experience, avoid the
perilous path ? We fear not. We have for some
time ceased to repose our faith in Princes or
Emperors. Dynastic considerations, and other
secret intrigues, induce proceedings that cannot
be justified, and it is seen that the wishes of the
people are no longer regarded—their representa-
tives are not consulted on any points relating to
foreign affairs. All they have to do is obediently
to vote the sums required, and to receive, " wide
Wed 149ai1l cilia deep hulAilitY," the co