The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-25 00:00:00

AT PARIS.

(Front the Morning Post of this day.)

The Conferences of Paris open to-day. Their
issue cannot long be doubtful ; and the hour is not
far hence when we shall know for certain whether
we are to have peace or war. These negotiations,
devised originally by Austria, were accepted by
Russia upon certain bases, the signature of which
was in itself no small proof of less arrogant preten-
sions on her part. But the Cabinet of St. Peters-
burg has, in so many instances, given proof of a
disposition to avail itself of every circumstance
which might be turned to its own ends, that we
are yet in the dark as to ifs real intentions in enter-
ing upon the present negotiation. Either Russia
seeks for peace, or her object in sending envoys to
the West is but an endeavour to loosen the alliance
which so heavily presses on her. If really she wish
for peace, Count Orloff's instructions will enable
him readily to obtain it. The demands of England
and France are limited by the strictest necessity.
All they ask is absolutely essential to the future
safety of Europe, and to provide against the speedy
recurrence of such lamentable struggles. Less than
this they cannot accept. Less than their demand
Russia will offer in vain. - If, however, the object
of the Czar be to sever Fran-c 6 from England, we
prophesy with confidence his signal failure.
Diploniatie ingenuity may argue with plausibility,
and, in some instances, with truth, that the
interests of France and England are not al-
ways precisely identical, and that their tendencies
are not invariably uniform. The statesmen of Rus-
sia may build hypotheses upon the fact that Eng-
land has not the same care for the Latin Church as
have the French ; or that the French may fancy
themselves less interested in the eastern coast of
the Black Sea than we are. Russia may 'delude
herself with the idea that either men er money are
wanting in France, or that the peace party have a
real influence in England. She may still fancy
that a Napoleon has no confidenco in British faith.
She may still dream that Englishmen can doubt
the honour of an Ally who, in word and deed, has
ever stood by us, and who has proved over and
over again that the honesty with which he under-
stands our alliance, and the constancy with which
he stands by it are as pure and as admirable as the
heroism which rushed to the capture of the Male-
khoti; or charged to the rescue at Inkerman. If
Russia, then, come with the intention of dividing
us, she will fail as before. It is at such a moment
as this that a Napoleon shows indeed of what mettle
he is made, and so much is this felt in England,
that we should as soon think of doubting the safety
of the honour of France in the hands of the Em-
peror as of hesitating to give him our fullest and
most implicit reliance.
We will not enter into vague speculations as to
probabilities, nor canvass details. Some may see a
pacific intention in the mission of Count Orloff,
one of the most distinguished men in Russia, the
signer of the treaty of Adrianople, at which period
he was Commander-in-Chief of the land and sea
forces of Russia against Turkey. Others may ar-
gue that the maker of the treaty of Adrianople
would not he selected to unmake it. These, and
thousand other considerations, pro and con., dis-
appear before the imminent realities of the. day.
The real purport of CountOrloff's mission, the full
extent of Baron Brunow's instructions, will soon
be made manifest, and the duration of the present
negotiations be decided. Whatever may havegiven
rise,to a suspicion that England and France might
be divided, Russia, at this moment, knows that it
is impossible for her to hope for such a consurannt
tion. The Russian Plenipotentiaries are to-day as
well aware as ourselves of the firmness of the Em-
peror, and of the solid nature of the alliance which
subsists between the Western Powers. The course
of Count Orloff and of Baron Brunow is therefore
plain—to accept our terms, if they are sent to
make peace ; to refuse them, if Russia still thinks
she can hope to resist with advantage the attacks
of the next campaign.

Of the progress of the negotiations but little can
be known. We aro informed that the Conferences,
which meet this day at noon, will probably begin
with the choice of a President. This choice, it is
pretty certain, will fall on Count Walewski, as it is
usual to elect, as President of Conferences, the Fo-
reign Minister of the country in which they are held.
The arrangement of precedency will be settled by the
alphabetical order of the names of the countries
represented. It was propesed originally that each
Plenipotentiary should be accompanied by his se-
cretary, but we understand it is now determined
that none but Plenipotentiaries shall be present.,
except the "Director of Protocols," which impor-
tant trust will be confided to M. Benedetti, late
French Charge d'Affaires at Constantinople, a gen-
tleman of distinguished talent. Everything will
be conducted with the strictest secrecy, so much
so, that we believe it is intended to record, in the
very first protocol, the solemn promise of those
present not to divulge what passes. It is a source
of much gratification that wo shall not be held long
in suspense ; nor will vital questions be deferred
till after the discussion of less momentous points.
For it is understood that the order of the proposi-
tions has been inverted, and that the Fifth will be
the first to be entered upon. In this ease, there-
fore, if the intentions of Russia be as pincers as
our own, the decision of pet.ce or war will not be
long delayed. It is, however, to be expected that,
before coming to the several points, and the mat-
ters involved in them, an armistice by land may
be agreed upon, the blockades by sea still being
kept up.

We earnestly, most earnestly, trust that these
Conferences may Le guided to 14 peaceful issue,
that Europe may be spared the effusion of further
bloodshed, and the difficulties of newcomplications.
If peace do not come about—if Russia do not now
yield—it will be the fault of those who, it is to be
expected, will deservedly suffer from many of the
consequences. Had milted Germany but struck for
the cause which they could not but approve, all
would have been settled and secured long ere this.
For ourselves—we say it in no spirit of arrogance
—for ourselves and our Allies, who have thought

listt honesty was the best policy, the cause withive

fought for must prevail...ff good terms are not now
given, better may be won hereafter. In any case,
we are bound firmly to secure that important Em-
pire for the integrity of which we took up arms
upon the strongest foundation, so that, undisturbed
by the oppressionS of its great neighbour, it may
pursue in safety those paths of progress along
which it is steadily proceeding. Let us do this.
Let us guarantee the North as well as the South
from menace, and, having secured the rights of
Europe from the inroads of despotism, the cause of
rational freedom an sensible progress, as under-
stood by England, Prancei; and Sardinia, cannot
fail to advance to new and peaceful triumphs in
the better government of the various nations, and
of the blessings of liberty and of civilisation. Such
a result will be worthy of the efforts we have made,
and of the great things we have achieved. Prom
these Conferences such a peace may issue, if Russia
rightly appreciates the overwhelming force of pub-
lic opinion, which requires from her satisfactory
terms, and if she correctly estimates the prepara-
tions which have been made‘to insure their ulti-
mate attainment.

(From the Presse of Yesterday.)
It is confidently stated that at the first sitting,
as soon as the verification of powers shall have
taken place, the representatives of the Czar will be
called upon to accept a note, which will be pre-
sented to them by the president in the nsma of
pea Inlet iuoai npn onatesernt at
si
1 Iqee 31 essentialvilt3libloe asked
li
lfyth indeedfurnishedgiv
the Allies of December 2d, In this note the sti-
pulations proposed to be comprised in the prelimi-
eitishtehwßeiiturhunfoivatrel
nary convention of peacercowoolirlal
ilft)oieordndrsoa.uwbnrrthuoepr
Ili nuas:
equivo-
pilenwirpietitzetiarißeystlilsillinbeeanrsea,
Rowers, and shall not allege the necessity of refer-
ring to St. Petersburg, the question of peace or
delay.
war may be settled without

The Pays says it has some reason to believe in
the correctness of the report that Russia is resigned
to the destruction of Nicolaieff.

Cbtrb

SUN OFFICE, Seem o'Clock.

TATrERSALL'S.—(This , Evening.)

LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE.
sto 1 agat Harry Lorrequer (taken)
9to 1 aget Emigrant (taken)
9to 1 agat Sir Peter Laurie (take 10 to 1)
20 to 1 aget Freetracrer (taken)
20 to 1 agst Forest Queen (taken)
4to 1 apt The Seaman and Jean du Quesne
coupled (taken)
LIVERPOOL SPRING CUP.
Bto 1 agst Berezina (taken)
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS.
3to 1 apt Yellow Jack (taken)
ito 1 agst Ely-by-Night
10 to 1 apt Polmoodie (offered)

DERBY.
7to 1 agst VVentworth (taken)
,8. to 1 agst Ellington (taken)
10 to 1 apt Fly-by-Night (taken);
15 to 1 aget Regerthorpe (taken)
25 to 1 aget Polmoodie (taken)
25 to 1 agst Vandem6lin (taken)

LIVERPOOL-MONDAY.

The following horses are here :—Franc Picard, Jean
du Quesne, Pasha, Forest Queen, Potter, Black Swan,
Spring, .Harry Lorrequer, Dangerous, Seaman, Jump-
*may,. Bonndaway, Master David, Willie Crawford,
Xenerdy,. gulogist, Dresser, Lightning, Mary, Prince
Plausible, Shelab, Hodham, Berezina, Baroness, Bird-
citcher f, Janet Pride, Gatkercole, Salmon, Goodgirl,
Burgundy f, Alonzo, Pera, De Ginkel, Menzie,
Stamford, Emigrant, Taffy, Freetrader, Little Char-
ley, Filly by Chanticleer out of Hopeful, Sir Peter
Laurie,. and Alfred
The•ground is in good order.
• The following are scratched
SPZING Cur. Cossey, Bolton, Gamekeeper, St.
Clair,`and Staffordshire-Nan.

AINTREE PLATE.—Assayer, Gamekeeper, and Genera
Pictoc.•

STEEPLECHASE.—Star of the West, Molly Bawn, and
Escape. •
' HURDLE RASE.—Master David.