The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-05 00:00:00

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LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1858.

1 large and comprehensive measure of military
reform is "looming in the future." There is at
length a reasonable foundation for hoping that
the iniquitous system of promotion by purchase
will be ultimately abolished, and more judicious
and equitable regulations adopted. After what
fell from Lord PALMERSTON last night, it is mani-
fest that there must be a complete alteration, and
that the ameliorations, although they may be gra-
dually introduced, will be of such a character as
to satisfy the just demands of the country.
All that was required by Sir DE LACY EVANS
was a stringent and searching investigation into
the system by competent and impartial judges,
who should express their opinions as to the ex-
pediency of abolishing the sale and purchase of
commissions in the army, and on the means by
which that all-important object may be accom-
plished. It is of little consequence whether that
investigation be conducted before a Committee of
the House of Commons or a Royal Commission,
fairly and properly constituted. The gallant
General, therefore, acted very judiciously in at
once closing with the proposition of the PREMIER,
and allowing the matter to remain in the hands
of Government. The uudertaking that a
mixed commission of military men and civi-
lians should be appointed was all that
could be desired, especially when the First
Lori had candidly admitted that his opinion in
the abstract was against a system of purchase.
The most zealous and enthusiastic opponent of the
objectionable system could not ask for an imme-
diate change, without full and mature considera-
tion as to the nature and extent of the substitute
to be offered. There are, unquestionably, diffi-
culties to be overcome, and evils of a different
character to be avoided. The reformers must
take care, that like him who fell into Scylla while
shunning Charybdis, they do not suffer the
remedy to degenerate into something almost as
bad as the original disease.

The improved tone of the discussion, when
contrasted with that formerly adopted on the
same subject, was indeed a cheering and
auspicious augury for the friends of military
reform. The glaring fallacies usually resorted
to, were carefully excluded. The gross abuses
that had sprung up during a long succession of
years were universally admitted, and every dis-
position was manifested to meet the heavy
pecuniary expenses necessarily required for their
removal. National faith required that those who
have purchased on the faith of being allowed to
sell at any time should be permitted to get back
their money, if they think fit so to do, and it has
been stated that this would cost no less than
eight millions sterling to the exchequer. Be it
! Even for that we should be prepared. No
price could be high to remove that which has alone
rendered the charge of being a nation of shop-
keepers a, term of bitter reproach, and to add to
the efficiency of our Army, It is not pleasing to

hear the criticisms of those who have spoken
of oe troops as a body of lions, led by
donlr ,eys. The Crimean Commissioners have
expl wined the enormous losses, not merely
of is laney, but of the lives of thousands of our
gall; mat brethren. occasioned by the incapacity of
men; holding high positions in the service ; and
we b -31ieve that there is not a single true-hearted
Englishman throughout the length and breadth
of the land who would not think eight, or even
ten 111 illions, well expended in removing evils such
as the se exposed in the Report of Sir J. 111'NEIL
and 001. TIILLOCII. It may be said that these
evils were the fault of the system rather than of
the individuals. If so, it materially strengthens
the argument, and shows that a tree capable of
prodlacing such deleterious fruit should be eradi-
cated with all possible speed.

But it would not cost anything like the amount
stated,. Five or six millions, at the outside,
would be much nearer the mark. The eight mil-
lions include not merely all who have purchased
their commissions, but many whe have received
them gratuitously. It is quite clear that the
nation could recognise no sums beyond the regu-
lation prices, the payment of which, although
constantly made, are quite opposed to the rules of
the service. Nor can any man have a just right
to sell that which he has not purchased. All that
need be provided will, therefore, be the regula-
tion prices for the steps actually paid for by the
holders. Many, too, of the number will hold on
to the last. In such cases the money will be
saved to the country, and it will constitute
by no means an insignificant portion of the
entire claim. The cost will, therefore, be by
no means so great as has been calculated ; and
although we consider no price too high for the
practical improvement, it is well to see that the
burden will be less than has been calculated, and
that it will be spread over several years, so as to
press with less severity on the tax-paying com-
munity.
There may be a fund by which it could most
properly be liquidated. If Russia be compelled to
render pecuniary compensation for the expenses of
the war, the indemnity could not be applied to a
better or more appropriate object, or one that
would be more cordially assented to by every un-
prejudiced and disinterested person. The sug-
gestion, at all events, is worthy of consideration,
and may possibly induce our Plenipotentiaries to
stand firm on that important point at the Con-
ferences.

But, however the money is to bo obtained, it
shall be forthcoming when required. Lot no new
interests be created. When an officer desires to
sell his commission, and has obtained the neces-
sary leave of the Horse Guards, by no means a
matter of course, he may receive an order on the
Treasury for the amount, in place of procuring it
from his successor. The sum required during
the present year would not be very large,
and we have no doubt that it would be
willingly voted by the House of Commons. The
best test of the sincerity of the Government will
bo the abstaining from creating any further
claim, and letting those that may now be regarded
as "vested interests" be gradually eliminated by
the payment of some by the nation, and by the
mortality which will not spare even the wealthy,
who have paid for their commissions, and are
practically rendering their services with but little,
if any, remuneration therefor.

The individual who can contemplate the present
aspect of Poland without experiencing a feeling of
regret can have no sympathy with the loftier
aspirations of our common nature, and no claims
to the confidence of a free people. Never in the
history of the world was there a more melancholy
spectacle, not to be devoid of hope. A gallant,
civilised people, possessing all the elements of
greatness, and panting to escape from the brutal
oppression by which they have so long been en-
thralled—the sport of diplomatists and the tool
of pretended friends. The noblest scattered
throughout France and England in undying pro-
test against their oppressors, and the meanest
compelled to swell the ranks of the most powerful
of their tyrants, alike let down, without scruple
and without remorse, after being buoyed up with
prospects the most alluring and best calculated to
deceive ! Is not this a sight at which both
"gods and men " should weep ? If ever the truth
of the proverb, "Put not your trust in princes"
or Governments, had a convincing and disastrous
illustration, it is here. If ever self-reliance was
inculcated in groans and blood, it is here.
If ever a people had occasion to doubt all
friendship not manifested in deeds as well as
words, it is the Poles. And if over a people
were entitled to vindicate their rightful claims
without consideration for the interests of others,
the Poles aro that people. They have no friends
in high places, and will never have effectual aid
until the democracy of Europe is roused in it&
lair by the clash of their sabres and the thunder
of their guns.

Opportunity will never come to Poland----her
only policy is to make it. For, thank HEAVEN,
there is a Polish people yet—oppression has not
erased them from the category of nations. There
are living Poles, in whom the chivalrous blocd
of Kosciusxo races with patriotic ardour--living
Poles, who need only the appliances of war to
break asunder their yoke, and confront in em-
battled might the legions of their oppressors.
Blotted out of the map of kingdoms, Poland is
still a name which blanches the cheek of the des-
pot, and carries a deadly chill to his heart. The
"infernal fire" of Sebastopol, splitting the ear
with its volleying thunders, could not overpower
the whispered word. Bomarsund in the posses-
sion of the Allies, Sweaborg in flames, the mighty
naval armaments of England and France in sight
of Cronstadt, none of these "causes of anxiety and
dread could cast her for a moment from the recol-
lection of her oppressors. The ablest marshal of
all the Russias was troubled on his bed of death
with the anxieties she occasioned him. The brave
prince, worthy a better master, who quailed not
before a cataract of shot and flame to which
hell itself could alone furnish a parallel,
was hurried from the spectacle of the captured
and ruined city he had so desperately defended to
supply the place of the deceased PASKIEWITCII,
and keep
whollyeepdown that eruption which oppression
smother -- the inextinguishable
hatred and revolt of au oppressed nation that de
serves to be free. Prato of our diplomacy (!)
as we will, vaunt of the strength of our arms
and the overpowering might of our fleets as
we may more than our diplomacy, more
than the strength of our arms, more than
the might of our fleets, is the little word
ct Poland." Or rather it is the dread of
Poland rising in revolt that lends to the prepara-
tions of the Allies their chief terror. It is the
apprehension of this event, this assault from
within, and of Sweden aiding the assault from
without, that has stirred Austria to her insidious
mediations, and brought the CZAR and his crack-
brained brother to their senses, and is but too
likely to lead to a pernicious peace. It was the
fear of Poland in arms, and the revolutions to
which that °vela would lead.the dpiastOs

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