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

DANUBIAN PRINCIPALITIES.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
The quesi cion relative to the plan of govern-
ment to be adopted in the Danubian Principali-
ties will very speedily be discussed by the Com-
missioners appointed by Europe for that purpose;
and this question of our foreign policy is one
which mat only is of universal importance to us,
but upon it will depend the free existence of
Wallachia and Moldavia under the SULTAN'S
sway, and also the tranquillity of the whole of
Western Europe—its civilisation and prosperity.
There are three points which will occupy diplo-
macy in the settlement of this serious and most
important subject. They are, first, shall these
provinces remain, as at present, separate and in-
dependent of each other, but suzeraine to the
SULTAN, ruled by Hospodars elected by them-
selves, under the confirmation of the Porte ?
secondly, shall these provinces be consolidated
into one, ruled over by one Hospodar, chosen among
themselves as before? and, thirdly, shall they be
consolidated, but be ruled over by a Foreign
Prince, suzerains to the SULTAN I These are the
simple points upon whieh Europe is called upon
to discuss and decide. An error, however, com-
mitted in this affair may lead to most disastrous

consequences.
The topographical position of the provinces will
at once convey to every reasoning mind the con-
sequences we allude to. They are the highroad
to an invasion of Constantinople. Walla-
chia, Moldavia, Servia, Bulgaria, lead to
the same prize, and they all profess what
our Northern rivals call the orthodox religion.
One false step in deciding upon the government
of the provinces will lead to treachery, bloodshed,
and barbarity. The Danubian Provinces have
been for time immemorial, and long before—
consequently they formed a portion of the Turkish
empire--in a separate form ; that is, they formed
two distinct governments, ruled by two distinct
Hospodars. The Ottoman Power kept to the
same mode of government, because it was pro-
per to the Provinces and a safeguard to their
privileges and prosperity ; otherwise, when the
Crescent was at the gates of Vienna, the con-
queror could have imposed upon the Provinces
whatever form of government he thought proper.
He saw, however, in this instance, that union
was not force, and, like a wise legislator, con-
firmed what he saw would be for the well-being
and prosperity of those populations, and they
have existed to the present day under two rulers
suzeraine to the SULTAN. Look at the fate of
Poland—Poland united—Poland a kingdom—
where is she, and what has been her fate ? Yet
Moldavia and Wallachia still exist, in spite of
every species of intrigue and attempt at revolu-
tion, and exist because, and only because, they
are not consolidated ; join them as one weak
power, and they are swallowed up by an avaricious
and barbarian nation. We have not been
happy in our deliberation in Congress.
Let us, however, if we have any weight
as a nation, be serious for once, for
the sake of variety, and not submit to be again
the laughing-stock of Europe. The folly, indeed
the crime, of consenting to the consolidation of
Wallachia and Moldavia into one Province can
be proved in a few words. If under one Hospodar
chosen from the united population, in the first
place, there is no family of sufficient consideration
or standing to be hereditary ruler ; and, in the
second place, no Moldavian would consent to b e
under the dominion of a Wallachian or a Walla-
chian under a Moldavian ; jealousies, feuds,
revolution, and bloodshed would follow such a
delusive attempt, and, in the midst of dissension,
a power is ready to take advantage of domestic
broils, having already fomented them, and under
the pretence of calming their passions, would
quietly take possession of their territory; and, need
we say, that all attempts to ascend in the scale
of civilisation would be blocked out for ever ;
liberty, freedom, happiness, and prosperity would
be banished as prohibited merchandise. The
idea of naming a Foreign Prince as Viceroy
under the SULTAN has been thought the ne plus
ultra of diplomacy, and indeed taking the word
diplomacy in its literal sense, it is so, for it is
evidently intended by such a proposition to de-
prive the SULTAN of his rights, though put for-
ward as a means of safeguarding his dependencies
—.•we say evidently intended, because the think-
ing portion of mankind can perceive the cunning
and delusion of such a scheme. We need only
mention Greece. Let us take history for our guide,
and as Governments depend more upon prece-
dents than plain good sense, let them look to
Greece and Egypt. The Foreigi Prince named as
ruler over the million of population of Greece was
suzerain() to the SULTAN, yet he declared him-
self independent of that Sovereign. How much
more easy then would another Foreign Prince with
four millions of people, and the geographical posi-
tion of his territory so much in his favour, throw
eff his allegiance and declare himself independent ?
But mark the difference between the relative
positions of Greece and the Danubian Pro-
vinces ; the vicinity of Wallachia and Moldavia,
to Russia on one band and Austria on the other ;
and the immense difficulty England would have to
encounter in an attempt to protect the Provinces
from an invasion, clearly shows that the self-con-
stituted new kingdom would soon share the fate of
the kingdom of Poland, and, instead of these
prolific countries becoming rich, and prosperous,
and happy under the paternal Government of the
SULTAN, they would be crushed to slavery, and re-
monstrance would only be the means of a voyage to
Siberia. This is what the union of the Provinces
would effect ere we got in time to arrest the blow ;
and if we do not boldly record ourselves against
the consummation of such an outrageous and de-
lusive act, we ought to hide our heads in seclu-
sion, and leave the destiny of nations to those who
have more foresight than ourselves.
The only means for the Principalities to be happy
and free, looking to their exceptional topographi-
cal position, is to leave them in their present
separate state as suzeraine to the SULTAN, with
liberal institutions and the exercise of their agri-
cultural pursuits ; and we ought, as a free people,
to rouse our energies, aid assist with all our moral
strength, and not allow four millions of people to
become oppressed, as they assuredly will b; if the
infamous attempt at consolidation become a fait
accompli.

11 The annual gathering and games at Braemar are fixed
to take place on Thursday. It is expected that her
Majesty and the Prince will honour the occasion with
their presence.
The Emigration Commissioners have advertised for
vessels to carry emigrants to Adelaide, Port Fairy, and
Sydney, to be ready between the 10th and 27th of Oct
Mr. W. 0. Stanley has issued an address to the elec-
tors of the Anglesey boroughs, announcing his intention
to become a candidate for their representation at the
next dissolution of Parliament. _ _

The Consul General of Buenos Ayres in London has
advertised the regulations resolved upon by the Govern
ment 'of Buenos Ayres for the colonisation of Bahia
Blanca and Patagonia. Grants of land are to be made,
and the immigration of married settlers especially en-
couraged. At the same time Bahia Blanca is declared a
free port for merchant vessels under all flags, and is to
eajoy free trade for five parrs_