The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-09 00:00:00

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LONDON, SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 1856.

It is unfortunately but too palpable that the
Russian snake was merely scotched, not killed,
during the late contest ; and that the zealous de-
termination of the adherents of Germanism and
Imperialism that the Northern Leviathan should
suffer neither humiliation nor diminution of
power has been so completely carried out that
she still clings to her traditional policy, and is
already planning new aggressions against those
who are so unfortunate as to be placed in the
vicinity of such a troublesome neighbour. The
forcible occupation of the Isle of Serpents, to
which we have repeatedly alluded, is, for the time
being, the chief object of attention to the Allied
Powers. It shows that Russia is to all intents
and purposes still the same—that she is actuated
by the same views and opinions that :occasioned
the lato complications—and that unles.k, some very
decisive course be forthwith adopted, we shall
have to fight our battles o'er again, and to submit
td new and even more serious sacrifices of men
and money than we have already endured.
The specious pretext alleged by Russia is that
the Isle of Serpents was not expressly mentioned
in the Precious Treaty ; and that, therefore, as
there may be some doubt on the point, she is at
liberty to take forcible possession of what sh e
asserts to be her rights, wahout reference to the
other parties. If not included in the letter, it
was, however, clearly, distinctly, and unequivo-

tally within its spirit. The free navigation
of the Danube, and the exclusion of Russian
interference, not merely in the interests of Ger-
many, but of all commercial nations, was one
of the leading points under discussion ; and even
at the Conferences of Vienna, Russia consented to
the demands put forward ; and notwithstanding
the failure of these negotiations, and while hos-
tilities were still actively carried on, she earnestly
professed her intention to abide by and respect
the principles decided on respecting the freedom
of the Danube. It was this emphatic declaration
that rendered the representatives of the other
Powers less pressing in their requisitions. We
do not offer it as an excuse for their negligence ;
for with a nation so ready to take any advantage,
however unfair, and to quibble on every possible
point, no loophole should have been allowed for
trickery or evasion. But so far as Russia is con-
cerned, it is the more essential to meet every
sinister attempt by decided action.
From the telegraphic despatch which will be
found in another part of this day's impression,
it will be seen that the squadron under Rear-
Admiral HOUSTON STEWART has entered the
Black Sea, and will remain therein, until the com-
plete evacuation of Kars and of the Isle of Ser-
pents by Russia. This is as it should be. It is
the only argument to which Russia will yield the
slightest respect or deference. It is also stated
that Russia has already yielded, and withdrawn
her troops from the disputed territory. This,
however, wants confirmation, and the rumour
must therefore be taken cum grano salis. We fear
that it is too good to be true. Russia has made the
best use of the opportunities at her disposal
during the Parisian Conferences. She well knows
that "hawks do not pick out hawks' een," and
that one absolute monarch will not seriously in-
jure another, or do anything to prejudice the
cause of despotism in the great conflict in which
it may speedily be
engaged. No, the great ob-
ject is to crush constitutional freedom by any
means practicable. The' attempt has already been
made in Spain, and unfortunately with too much
temporary success. The next coup will be against
Great Britain, which they are gradually striving
to assimilate to a German model. Against that
effort every true-hearted Englishman must be
prepared to struggle to the last shilling in his
purse, and the last drop of his blood. Our time-
honoured constitution is indeed on its trial. We
may accept the hint given with a very different
view by one competent to speak on the all-
important subject. There could be no better
i
authority, and it s right we should accept the
warning and be prepared to act with zeal, energy,
and inflexible resolution.

Russia would scarcely have entered so speedily
n such a course had she not received private, and,
as she conceived, satisfactory assurances of co-
operation, or at least neutrality. She fancies
that she has nothing to fear from France, and,

doubtless, has already maturely considered the
prospects of the Prussian marriage and the
additional influence which Germanism, already
too powerful, will thereby achieve at the Court
of St. James's. How anxiously she would
look forward to the by no means impossible
contingency of England being governed by
a Prussian Viceroy, and how readily should
she plaoe her Cossacks at his disposal for the
purpose of overawing any demonstrations, and
suppressing any symptoms of insubordination.
It is useless to conceal the fact, that England is
the bete noir in the eyes of all the continental
despots—that her liberal institutions, and, be-
yond all, her free Press, are abominations in the
sight of the family of Sovereigns, to which we are
making such extraordinary exertions to ally our-
selves. A change in the English system is what
Imperialism chiefly looks to. In comparison
with that the repressing Russian aggression is a
matter of comparatively trivial importance.
Russia is well aware of that fact, and
acts on the knowledge. Hence the speedy
and unblushing violation of the terms to
which she so recently bound herself, and
hence the vital importance for keeping her within
the limits to which she solemnly promised to con-
fine herself. It is very unfortunate that Parlia-
ment is not now sitting, in order that Ministers
may be closely interrogated and kept to their
duty. It is, however, imperative on the Fourth
Estate to supply the void, and we believe that our
brethren of all shades and varieties of political
opinion will, to the best of their ability, faithfully
discharge the important trust confided to their
care.

Our versatile Premier intends, we are told, to
be the Lion of the Manchester Exhibition ; he
will at least put all the cotton spinners and weav-
ers in good humour. A respectable gathering of
Members of Parliament, and, perhaps, some Peers
will attend him, rejoicing in their holidays, and
singing to his praise, deus nobis haec otia fecit.
His Lordship hitherto has been mythologically
represented by the youthful god. It may be
doubted whether the graver JANIS has not an
equal claim to the honour. Two faces he has,
certainly, always ready for all corners. To Con-
servatives he can say, what Statesman of the day
has contributed less than I to any great reform ?
To Reformers, with what great reform have I not
been officially associated ? And now, when War
and Peace have been the absorbing questions, Lord
PALMERSTON can present himself as. Peace or War
Minister as suits his company. If Manchester
representatives declaim on the blessings of Peace
with America and all the world, he can remind them
how good-temperedly he took back Mr. CRAMPTON,
how satisfied he was with such shabby terms
from Russia, and how innocuous a thing is his
Italian intervention—notes and diplomatic mes-
sages, that is all. Mr. M. GissoN will propose,
we are sure, three times three for Lord PALMER-