The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-15 00:00:00

LONDON, TUE,;DAY, JANUARY 15, 1856.

The mountains of the Presidential mind which
have been for some weeks labouring in the throes
and agonies of conception have at length been de-
livered, albeit in somewhat of an irregular and
undignified manner. The offspring—in the shape
of a rather lengthy pamphlet de omnibus rebus, et
quibusdant aliis will be found in another part of
our impression. We leave our readers to judge
of the character of the production, whether it
belongs to the genus " riliculus mus," or can put
forward any authentic and recognisable claims to
a superior organisation. On this point opinions
may differ very widely, but we must say that a
consideration of the present lengthy document
goes far to reconcile us to the studied vagueness
of our own Royal Speeches, which, if they do
not convey much information, are exempted
from the hostile criticism to which a verbose
and sedulously prolonged production similar to
that under notice, must in the ordinary course of
affairs be subjected. There was an essential pre-
liminary required for the legitimate introduction
of tho " tiddy ittle sing," which was unfortu-
nately wanting. NO Speaker had been elected.
From the 4th to the 29th of December was occu-
pied in abortive divisions respecting the Speaker-
ship, no candidate having obtained the absolute
majority required by the constitutional law of the
United States for that very important position.
Every effort made for that purpose proved a total
failure, and nearly four weeks of valuable time
were consumed without any definite conclusion
being arrived at. The patience of the PRESIDENT,
which had been waxing " small by degrees and
beautifully less" at length failed, and he resolved
on a minor coup d'etat, an irregular pro-
ceeding which might relieve him from the
perplexity under which he had so long been
labouring, and avert the fear of his lucubrations
finding their way into the public journals before
they had been communicated to Congress. The
parties, however, did not appreciate the compli-
ment ; or, at least, made a very decided "coup
manque" in return. After a very fierce and
energetic contest, they refused their sanction by
a majority of 120 to 87 to the reading of the
Message, although they allowed—by a slender
majority of 4—that it might be laid on the
table.

It is in consequence of this rather doubtful
authority, which does not augur very favourably
for the continuance of the PIERCE dynasty, that
we are enabled to present the full Message to the
public. As we have already stated it refers to a
variety of matters ; and there is rather a lengthy
dissertation on " the Constitutional relations of
Slavery," by which the PREMDICNT makes a very
handsome bidding for the votes of the Southern
representatives, whom he addresses' as " the
thoughtfu friends of the Union," the "true
lovers of their country," and which rzay be briefly
summed up in what he declares to be "the true
principle of leaving each State and territory to '
regulate- its own laws of labour according to
its oval sense of right and expediency." Surely,
however, the Northern States, which refuse their

sanction to the demoralising and atrocious prac-
tice, should be at equal liberty to refuse their as-
sistance to the carrying out of a practice which
they conscientiously and honourably refuse to
sanction. President PIERCE has on this highly
important point completely cast aside all mystery,
and stands forth as the undisguised advocate of
that great " Social Institution."

There are two important matters relating to
this country referred to in the Message. The
first relates to the construction of the CLAYTON
BULWER Treaty of 1850, and the conflicting
views which have been taken by the British and
American Cabinets in reference thereto ; the
second to the " Foreign Enlistment" question, in
which the coarse and vulgar diatribes of
Mr. Attorney-General CALEB CUSHING are
adopted in a mitigated form, and which, if Presi-
dent PIERCE could command a majority in Con-
gress, might assume a menacing aspect !
On the former point he insists on a construc-
tion which no impartial and disinterested man
could by a possibility give to the contract. It
was agreed between the two Governments that
neither " should ever cccupy, or fortify, or colo-
nise, or assume, or exercise any dominion over
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Mosquito coast, or
any part of Central America." That under-
standing and stipulation clearly referred to any
future act. It was, in fact, an establishment of
the " status in quo." There was nothing to in-
dicate anything in the shape of a surrender of
existing and recognised rights, but that there
should be no extension thereof the exception in
favour of Belize proves the rule.
On the other, the recruiting point, Mr. PIERCE
goes far beyond the necessities of the case. The
British Government made the amende honorable
for any mistake it might have committed. It
showed that its instructions were to respect the
law of the United States, and that it never au-
thorised any violation thereof ; and not only ex-
pressed its regret for any unintended infraction,
but took immediate measures to prevent the pos-
sibility of any future error in that behalf. In
private life any gentleman would be satisfied with
such explanation and reparation. President
PIERCE requires more—asks for what no gentle-
man would give, no gentleman demand. All
we shall at present say on the subject is—
" Don't he wish he may get it".! On both points
the Message seems to be an attempt to obtain the
votes of the worst portion of the constituency in
the rapidly approaching election for President,
but we are quite satisfied that the good sense of
the great body of the people will reject all such
efforts with the indignation and contempt which
they merit.

The lack of forethought and resolution that
characterised the councils of the Allies at the com-
mencement and during the earlier stages of the
War, and was attended in the Crimea with such
deplorable consequences, has not failed to be pro-
ductive of further disaster. A bad example, con-
tagious everywhere, becomes absolutely pestilen-
tial when set before these who have a special
aptitude for following it. And so it has proved
among the Turks. Knowing, as we did, how
ignorant, venal, and conceited were the Turkish
Pashas in general, it behoved us to fan the newly-
raised flame of patriotism we found among them,
and stimulate them by our proceedings to cast
wholly aside their habits of venality and insubor-
dination, and devote all their energies to the pro-
secution bf the War. Instead of that, the West-
ern Powers played the part of " wet blankets,"
and by their vacillation did about as much as lay
in their power to extinguish the flame and en-
courage every petty Pasha to fight as much as
possible on " his own hook," reckless of the com-
mon good. Thus, whoever may be more imme-
diately to blame for the disastrous termination of
the Asiatic campaign, there can be little doubt
that it is the legitimate fruit of the misconduct of
the War by the Allied Powers. Had they acted
with vigour and determination their example
would have been followed, and instead of retiring
in defeat we might now have witnessed the army
of Anatolia in possession of KarF, and General
MOURAVIEFF driven backward in utter rout and
confusion.

What could more obviously have been the duty
of the Allied Powers than to endeavour by all
fair means to secure the co-operation of the warlike
tribes of the Caucasus against Russia ? Had no
intention whatever existed of an Asiatic campaign
it could not but be a wise policy to engage on our
side the sympathies and arms of the brave moun-
taineers, who, under such auspices, might have
more than repeated their terrible razzias on the
Russian army of occupation. With such inten-
tion nothing short of sheer imbecility, not to
say treason, can account for that co-operation
not being secured. And now look to the conse-
quences. What we failed to accomplish was not
likely to be done by the Turks. High as our
opinion of OMER PASHA has been, and will con-
tinue to be till we see good reason to doubt its
correctness, ho cannot achieve impossibilities.
Unless armed with sufficient authority by his Go-
vernment, it was out of his power to comply with
the
,demands which would insure co-operation
and enlist the mountain tribes on his side, as it
would be to insure that consideration for their
interests and prejudices necessary to keep them
from siding with Russia sympathetically, or in a
more esti ve manner. Considering the state of affairs
ab home little unity of purpose could be expected
between him and his subordinates, and less con-
sideration for the population on the part of the
latter. Exaction and _pillage: follew in the train
of confusion ; but to whatever immediate cause it
.may be assigned, this much is certain—those who
ought to have been folind fighting along side, or
in co-operation with the Turkish forces, have, in-
stead of that, done their utmost to harass their
rear during their retreat.

Kars fallen, sixteen thousand of the brave
garrison prisoners ; OMER PASHA fallen back on
Choloni, his communication with the sea threat-
ened ; Sugdidi surprised and its Turkish garrison
put to the sword ; the Georgian and Imeritian
militia, fiushsd with their successes, hovering
about the unsuccessful army for a prey ; the
population, indifferent or hostile ; ScHAxm,
and the other Caucasian leaders biding the
course of events ere they decide when and
' where to strike ; the Russian army thirsting for
further con finest—the conclusion of the campaign
h gloomy enough in all conscience, and augurs
but indifferently for the future. Day follows
day, and spring will soon be here. In the mean-
time Russian intrigue cannot be expected to be
inactive when so promising a field is laid open to
it., and Russian promises backed by Russian gold
are not likely to be without effect. Something
needs doing. Will it be done ? The tribes of
the Caucasus may be brought over yet. Is there
any good in giving them to Russia ? The Turkish
army under OmEn PASHA needs aid to preserve
its very existence : can it be wise to add to the
number of its enemies Y It is greatly to be de-
sired that something should be done. The army
of OMER PASHA should either be relieved by a
Christian army or put in the way of
receiving rejactroments, and in either case the

aid of the mountain tribes and the good will of
the inhabitants should be secured, even should it
prove necessary by the adoption of a course which
would convey a censure on the Turkish SIRDAR,
who, it is whispered, we know not with what
truth, though we suspect with but little, believing
as we do in the existence of a conspiracy to put
him down in order to exculpate others at his
expense, has been somewhat too haughty and
exacting in his treatment of the population. One
thing is certain—the Allied Forces have produced
no General, and the Allied Councils no Statesman,
whose fall is for a moment to be taken into con-
sideration or compared with the failure of another
campaign.

It is said that Count BUOL, while notifying to
the representatives of the Western Powers the
probable suspension of diplomatic intercourse be-
tween Austria and Russia, has emphatically de-
clared that, " under no circumstances will Austria
take the field with the Allies during the present
year." This was what we anticipated, and we
are therefore by no means disappointed. We
cannot " hope to mova such a dish of skimmed
milk to an honourable action," and must there-
for• be contented with the very diluted expres-
sion of dissatisfaction at the perverse obstinacy
of Russia. The sword of Austria is glued to its
scabbard. It never will be drawn in the cause
of truth and justice, unless her own private
and personal interests are largely concerned
therein ; and although they should be so, she
will still, to the best of her ability, avoid
any exertion, leaving others to fight her
battles, while she stands by an idle and appa-
rently unexcited spectator. She may " chaff'
a little, but that is all which seems essential to
the magnanimous Power. Do it, or else—Our
Ambassador shall be withdrawn. The threat,
however, does not appear very formidable to the
Cabinet of St. Petersburg, who not only still re-
jects the conditions, but does so on a point
wherein Austria is chiefly concerned. As we have
already explained the rectification of her
frontier with Turkey in Europe, and her
consequent removal from the disputed territory
on the Danube are matters in which Austria, in
her own right, and as the occupier of the Princi-
palities, is mainly interested. When they have
been peremptorily and contumaciously rejected
Austria should make a very decided demonstra-
tion, and not endeavour to foist the duty on those
who have already taken a more decided and
straightforward part. The time has, in our judg-
ment, arrived when we should no longer wait for
Austria, or strive to obtain her doubtful co-ope-
ration. She must at last shake off her apathy,
and identify herself with one side or the other—
with Russia or the Western Powers—in the exist-
-114.,, conflict.

THE SCOTCH EDUCATION BILL.—A Dumfries contem-
porary states that the Lord Advocate will reintroduce
his Education Bill in the approaching session.
Notice was issued from the General Post-office Ye-
terday, that the departure of the Australian man-of-war
screw-steamer Victoria, with ship letter bags for Mel-
bourne, is deferreel until the Ist of February next.
CAMBRIDGE, Jan. 14.—ELECTION OF MASTER OF
CLARE HALL.—In the Collegs Chapel this day, the Rev.
Edward Atkinson, 8.D., was elected to the vacant
mastership of Clare Hall, by the vote of 18 out of the
19 fellows of which the society consists. The want of
unanimity on the present occasion was in consequence
of one of the fellows voting for himself.

The Gazette de Dusseldorf states that the King of
Prussia has addressed a letter to General de Wrangel,
through the Minister of War, blaming him strongly for
having attended a Tc Dutra, celebrated at the Hotel of
the Russian Legation, at Berlin, in celebration of the
taking of Karp'. The act is declared to be highly " in-
convenient," and incompatible with the General's enili•
tary position.
Letters received in Paris from the Sandwich Isles
state that the Espadon (French whaler) had been chased
for two days in the neighbourhood of the Kurilles
Islands, by a Russian corvette, which she escaped from
in a snow storm.

THE DANUBE.-By a telegraphic despatch from Galatz
of the 31st Dec., we learn that the ice in the Danube
had become firm, and at that place and Ibraila about 50
ships were frozen in, as well as all the others between
those places and Salina. At the Salina mouth there
were lying between 400 and 500 vessels, which, in con-
sequence of a deficiency of lighters and contrary winds,
could Rot get to sea.
The Calcutta papers have for some time contained the
announcement that a plentiful supply of the third and
fourth volumes of Macaulay's History will be on sale
early in the year, at the price of sixteen rupees, or thirty-
two shillings, and that copies will be for warded to out
stations in the Mofussil for seventeen rupees, including
postage and packing.
GOVERNXIHNT ARTISANS AND THE INCOHE TAX.—A
large number of artisans and mechanics employed at the
arsenal and dockyards, Woolwich, have been served with
notices for payment of the income tax. Much excitement
prevails amongst the men, who have held a meeting to
protest against the proposed payment, on the grounds
that their increased earnings have resulted from working
several hours overtime daily at the request of the au-
thorities, and in consequence of the demand for their
labour incident upon the war.

FIRE IN MARTLESONE.-- In addition to the particulars
of the serious conflagration at the Messrs. Hopkinson's
pianoforte manufactory, detailed in our impression of
yesterday, we are informed that further insurances to the
extent of 2,0001. bad been effected in the North of Eog-
-1 tad Fire-office.

THE AIENDICITY SOCIETY.—William Horaford, chief
officer of the Mendicity Society, died on Sunday morn-
ing, at his residence, Melton-street, Dorset-square. The
deceased has been connected with the society for 18
years, and discharged his duties in a very efficient
manner.

PUBLIC READING OF MACAULAY'S HISTORY.—Last
evening a publio reading of " Macaulay's History of
England," beginning with the third volume, was com-
menced at Mr. Viryld's news-rooms, in Leicester-square.
The room was respectably attended, and the reader was
listened to with deep attention by a respectable audi-
tory.

THE NIGHTINGALE FEND.—Yesterday a public meet-
ing was held at the Town Hall, Brighton, in aid of
the " Nightingale Fund ;" Mr. W. Hallett, the mayor,
presided. Mr. W. Monckton Milnes, M.P., and the
Hon. S. G. Osborne attended as a deputation from the
central committee in London, and explained the nature
of the proposed testimonial. Oa the resolution of Mon-
tagu Scott, Esq., seconded by the Rev. Mr. Griffiths, a
resolution was passed, expressing the concurrence of the
meeting in the proposed memorial. 1 committee hav-
ing been appointed to take measures for the collection
of subscriptions, the proceedings terminated.

MARRIAGE OF LADY JANE FIELDING.—The nuptials
of this lady and Captain .Levett took place at Monk's
Kirby church on Thursday last. The bridal procession
consisted of 27 carriages. After the solemn ceremony
a sumptuous breakfast was provided at Newnham Pad-
dox, the seat of the Earl of Denbigh, the bride's father.
—Leamington Courier.
THE CASE OF JACKSON, THE PAWNBROKER.—A
memorial, praying the remission of the sentence on this
person, signed by the whole of the pawnbrokers of Bris-
tol, has been forwarded by Mr. H. G. Langton, M.P.,
for that city, to the Secretary of State for the Home
Department.
SHOCKING DEATH OF A YOUNG LADY BY FIRE.—
Yesterday morning, Miss Maria Niffet Pegg, who re-
sided with her parents at No. 16, East-road, City-road,
expired in St. Bartholomew's Hospital, under the follow.
ing shocking circumstances :—The deceased was in the
act of reaching to the snantelehelf, when the draught
carried her dress against the grate, and her clothes be-
came instantly a mass of flames. Death in a short time
terminated her agonies.
BURGLARY AT Der,sTorr.—On Sunday evening, the
house, 6, Cornwall-villas, Albien-road, occupied by Mr.
Matthews, was feloniously entered and robbed to a con-
siderable extent, during the temporary absence of the
family, who bad gone out upon a visit. Mr. Watson, of
Bignell•cottages, Shrubland•road, was on his way home,
about 9 o'clock, and perceiving the door open, went over
the house accompanied by the gentleman residing next
door ; but the thieves had already decamped with their'
booty. No clue has been obtained of them e p to the
present time.

VESSELS FOR AUSTRALIA.—The departure from the
port of London for the Australian colonies during the
past week have comprised live vessels—two to Port
Phillip, oue to Sydney, one to Adelaide, and one to
New Zealand —with an aggregate capacity of 2,745 tons.
The rates of freight exhibit a tetdency to firmness.
FORGED NOTES, —Statements continue to be publisbed
regarding various means of Imitating bank-notes by
anastatic and other processes. Among London bankers,
however, very little anxiety appears to be felt on the
point. It is stated that the change made about a year
ago by the Bank of England in the style of their notes
was the consequence of a long and careful investigation
into the subject, and that the result has been perfectly
satisfactory, the power of detecting forgery being much
greater than before. In confirmation of the course pur-
sued by the Bank the Government have adopted a simi-
lar principle for all receipt-stamps as well as for most
denominations of postage-stamps, the old method being
retained only where existing contracts prevent for a
time say alteration.