The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-26 00:00:00

Spirit of the Public Journals,

(Front the Morning Herald of this day.)
We are perfectly satisfied that a large majority
even in the present House of Commons---it still
more overwhelming majority in the nation, wine-
estly desire that the war with Russia shoitict be
carried on until we obtain adequate security against
the resumption of those attempts which, have
plunged Europe into the perils of war. Peace made
without those securities will be both disastrous end
disgraceful. This we believe to be the settled con-
viction of the country, and to attain this end the
country is prepared to make any sacrifices which
and
To
insisteff ect.
on
may be fairly asked to carry on the war with vigour
such conditions is now the pion and
paramount duty of tha Minister guiding the coun.
cils of England. . I

We have already pointed out how very far indeed
from the concession of these conditions is the trans•
action which has already occurred; We once non
earnestly entreat attention to that part of the Awn-
trian .proposal which refers to what is called, in
strangely-affected phraseology, the neutralisation
of tl,2* Black Sea. We do not hesitate to say that
the entire of the proposal is drawn up in Isagsage,
decidedly favourable to-the pretensions, and caps-
ble of a construction whiCh would advance instead
of restrain thoie pretensions.
Let us not be told that we are quibbling about
words. The allegation we are dealing with is, that
Russia has bound herself by her qualified accept-
ance of these proposals to terms which secure the
peace of 'Europe. We utterly deny this •, We can
only maintain oar denial by showing the true
meaning of the document she has accepted as
the text of discussion. Besides we must re-
member that in dealing with Russia we must
criticise words. Some of our readers, perhaps,
have not forgotten that when the " famous "
Vienna note was adopted by the French and
English Cabinets in 1853, we stood alone fur
severaliweeks at the British press in pointing out
the insidious character of the designs which were
masked under the plausible language of that
note. We were then upbraided with verbal quib-
bling. We were told that Europe must not be in.
volved in war for the nice weighing of phrases. It
is enough for us to say that upon the question of
these very phrases we have been ever since at war.
War was proclaimed because Russia demanded the
very phrases which English diplomacy had offered,
but which Turkish sagacity refused.
The language of the Austrian proposal is more
insidiously favourable to Russian designs than was
even that of the Vienna note.
Let us take the sentence which embodies the
principle of the proposal relative to the Euxine :••••,
4 NEUTRALISATION OF THE BLACK SKA.
" This sea shall be open to merchant vessels,
closed to war navies ; consequently, no naval or
military arsenal shall be erected or maintained
thf re.

" Maintained there ? " where, in the name of
common sense ? In the Black Sea ! This is the
literal and grammatical meaning of the words.
To what do they extend ? Nobody creates or
maintains naval or military arsenals in the sea.
TI ey are on the coasts adjoining, or in harbours
or rvers communicating with it.
Does this mean that Russia is to be prohibited
from rebuilding Sebastopol ? If even this were
honestly meant, why could it not be plainly stated?
But suppose Sebastopol is conceded to be an arsenal
in the Black Sea ; is Turkey then to be equally
bound to dismantle any forts or arsenals which she
may have upon any of the coasts of the Euxine ?
Is she to be bound to erect new ones ? Is this in-
tended as a prohibition against fortifying the Bos-
phorus ? We cannot believe that any British
Minister will ever be base enough to propose to
bind Turkey by such a stipulation—a stipulation
which would amount to an engagement not to pro-
vide the means •f resisting Russian aggression.
We would be glad to know if the consent of Tur-
key has been obtained to her own disarming.
But even this is not all. Is Nicolaieff an arsenal
in the Black Sea ? If Russia is at liberty to main-
tain an enormous naval arsenal at Nicolaieff, the
stipulation not t rebuild Sebastopol is utterly un-
. availing. Let us suppose for a moment that the
construction of the proposal be that all forts on the
immediate coasts of the Euxine are to be dis-
mantlel ; the consequence is this, that Turkey is
hound to leave the entrance to the Bosphorus un-
protected, as well as all her Asiatic and European
sea-board uncovered by any military or naval ar-
senal, while Russia is at liberty to build and equip
a fleet at Nicolaieff, which she can at any moment
float down the waters of the Euxine, ready to
descend upon the coasts which the generous pro-
tectors of Ottoman independence purpose to leave
undefended by a single fort.
The Minister who will propose to bind Turkey
by such a stipulation will be her treacherous as-
sassin.

This is the consequence of what appears a mere
affectat'on of language, substituting the phrase
" neutralisation of the Black Sea," for the old and
intelligible phrase " cessation of Russian prepon-
derance in the Black Sea." We do not want the
Black Sea neutralised ; what we do want is that
Turkey and Russia should be placed in such rela,
tive positions that Russia will be deprived of the
power of seizing on Constantinople by her superior
maritime strength. it is impossible to believe that
if this object had been really contemplated by the
proposal, it would not have been framed in' an-
guage clear, direct, and unequivocal. But still
more remains lurking in these villanous paragraghe.
The right of RuFsia to hold Circassia is covertly
admitted. What right has any convention be-
tween the belligerent powers to bind the Circsa-
sians to erect no forts or arsenals upon the Black
Sea ? Circassian independence is utterly ignored.
Russia and Turkey are treated as the sole owners
of the sea-board of the Black Sea, and upon the
supposition of this exclusive joint ownership the
seq. is to be " neutralised.'
The British Government never should have given
the least sanction to such a proposal. But what-
ever be the degree of sanction that has been given,
when these proposals come to be discussed in de-
tail—if ever they do so—the Ministers are traitors
to their country who will not insist upon these
points.
Ist. That Circassian independence be completely
recognised.
2. That the prohibition against the maintenance
or erection of naval arsenals by Russia shall extend
to every harbour, inlet, and river communicating
with the waters of the Euzine.
3. That no stipulation shall prevent Turkey
from erecting those fortresses which never can be
We have commented, and only partially com-
mented, upon just two paragraphs of these
treacherous proposals. But surely we have said
enough to point out the peril that attends uegotia-
bueseed ssefonrttiahle
top heurp
negotia-
tions framed on such a basis, and the absolute ne-
cessity which exists that in that negotiation, if
ever we enter on it, the representative of England,
rdefence.
es of aggression, but which may
' '.
whoever he may be, should fully perceive the
snares that are laid for him—should rightly appre-
ciate the conditions which the security of Europe
imperatively demand, and should unflinchingly in-
sist upon those conditions in plain, in bold, and in
.unplistakeable terms.
If these be so, it is yet possible for the country
to escape the peril in which the treacherous wiles
of Austrian mediation have involved us.

THE SABBATH DBFENCH ABROCIATION.—This asso-
ciation convened a public meeting fer Thursday evening
last, to be held in the spacious rooms of the Ammon-
street Schools, Clerkenwell, in oppostioa to the _pro-
jected opening of the British Museum, to., on the San-
day. The school rooms, which are capable of accommo-
dating nearly 1,000 people, were crammed to the door.
Mr. R. Charles presided, and there was a large attend.
ance of the clergy. A resolution, in accordance with
the views of the promoters of the meeting, having been
moved and seconded, an amendment,.. embodying the
principles of the Nationid Sunday League, was carried
T
by an overwhelming majority. . • promoters of the
meeting then hastily l.
wi hdreer, leaving all their
petitions
behind them.'
[Anvvvrissinuiii—Holloway's Pills wonderful for
Curing Diseases of the Chest.---Mr. Hobbs, of Newton
Abbot, informed Professor Holloway that a lady residing
near him stated that she considered Holloway's Pills had
been the means of sparing her life. Three medical men
had pronounced her disease incurable, terming it con-
sumption. Seeing an account of some person being
cured of a similar complaint she determined on giving
them a trial ; and, fortunately for her, they have effected
a perfect cure, which she is willing to testify by reference
to Mr. Hobbs. Sold by all medicine vendors throughout'
the world ; at Professor Holloway's Establishments, 244,
Strand,, London, and SO, Maiden-lane, ItTeir)Terkl lit -
A. Stampa, Constantinople; .4.. Guidiq, SOPS. i FA
-
S. 31*, Uilta; - --

THEATRE ROYAL, DRIIRY-LANE.
Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.,
THIS EVENING.
THE GREAT GUN TRICK.
After which,
SET DIDDLE DIDDLE; er. Harlequin King Nonsense and the
Seven Ages of Man.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Under the Management of Mr. Euckstone.
THIS RVICHISIO.
TILE BRACT STRATAGEM.
After Witch the New Comic Christmas Pantomime, Witted
THE. BUTTERFLY'S BALL AND THE GRASSHOPPER'S
FEAST; or, Harlequin and the Genius of the Spring.

RorAr, PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
Under the Management of Mr. CHAILLIS KELN.
THIS EVF—NING,
THE CORSICAN BROTHERS.
After which,
BIARLF,QUIN AND THE MAID AND TIFF. MAGPIE ; or, the
Fairy Paradlsa and Hanky Panky, the Enchanter.
flarleioln. Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. linUne; Pantaloon, Mr.
r,,,14; and Cohunhine, [Las Caroline MUMS.

THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI.
r.nprtetor, Mr. R. Wehetar.--Directre.ls. Madame Celeste.
THIS EYENTNCI.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
Atter which,
UROENr IitRIVATE AFFAIRS.
To conclude wit

TtCK AM!) TUE BEAN.se
at S ; or, Harlequin and 3fathet
(looT Home Again.
Cn
whielt Messrs. J. Bland, P. Bedibrd, Madame (Waite. Miss
Wyndham. and Miss E. Arden will appear.

ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.
Lames, Mews. Shepherd and Creswick.
THIS EVENING
PARIS IN 1792.

To conclude with
A PRINCE or PEARLS; or. Harlequin and Jane Shore.

ROTAL STRAND THEATRE.
Under the direction of Mr: P►yne.

THIS EV E NING.
THE HOLLY TREE INN.
Followed by

A PLAGUE ON' 80Til YOUR HOUSES.

After whleb.

ICOEMIE ; or. The Foster Sisters.
To conciride with
NOT TO RE DONE.

ROYAL OLTAP/C THEATRE.
Lessee and Manager. Mr. Alfred Wigan.
THIS EVENING,
THF. JEALOUS WIFE.

After which will be produced a New and doubly-moral. though
excessively old, Melodramatic Fairy Extravaganza, entitled
THE DriCRgET PRINCgiA; o the Threa GIAi% Distal.%
fa which Hems. Emory, F. Hobson. 11. Cooper.. Mlso Marto
all, Miss Maskell will appear.

tivErs ROYAL AMPRITIIEATIAS.
Louise and Manager, Mr. Win. Cooke.
A GRAND JUVENILE NIGHTS, by partleulsr
THIS EVENING,

A Grand Equestrian Comic Pantoualme, called TIARLEQVIN
AND FIT. GEORGE. AND THE ARAGON; or, the Seven Clam-
pions or Christendom.
After which the numaalled Eahtioßlon of F.QUESTRI AN ARl'
in the CIRCLE, inclucillog the performance of Mi.. n Kate Coek, is
fear de l'ArZine. The ia,..caciotaa Elep`tantA will appear.
To colaclarlo with the faithful portraiture of one of the moat popular
Romances ever written called 11.00 K WOOD; or. TURPIN',A 1411)1:
to YORK.

Box-ofilce open from ElaVeil till Fonr. Stage Manager. Mr. W.
West. gonestrian Director. Sir. W. COAP.

EMMA STANLEY'S SEVEN AGES OF WOMAN,
Every Evening at 8, and on Saturdays at 3.
Pronounced by the unanimous voice of the press, and by ni,;htly
increasing audleves, to be the Greatest Artistical Triumph of the
day.
SAINT MARTIN'S HALL, r ..cmg.acre.
Area, Is. ; Reserved Chairs, 2s. 61.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

Tare DAT—Morn. 32 min. aft. 4—Evening 48 min. aft. 4
T.).MoßßoW—Murn. 3 min. aft. 5-Evening 21 min. aft..;

THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, JAN. 26.
THERHOHETER, IN THE SHADE.
52 -h'gheet since noon yesterday.
44 -.owset this morning and during the night.
49 -this day at noon.

BAROMETER, 20•58.
WIND, W.S.W.—Light, with fine weather.
Afternoon—Rain.

,tere: ' "§:1111.

LONDON, SA.TURDA.V, JA.NIJA.RY 26, 1856.

We are beginning to obtain a clearer insight
into tke motives of the Cabinet of St. Peters-
burg in accepting, and, we fear we may add of
the Cabinet of Vienna in bringing forward, the
now notorious Austrian Propositions. Consider-
able surprise was occasioned at the sudden con-
version of the CZAR—evidenced by his uncondi-
tional acceptance of terms supposed to be abso-
lutely inconsistent with his digaity, and which it
was boldly asserted he dared not carry into prac-
tical execution. He had but a short time pre-
viously offered counter-proposition' of a totally
different character, which, so far from yielding
a single point to the Allies, would have been con-
ducive rather to the traditional policy bequeathed
by Lis predecessors, and which, on his accession
to the throne, he had avowed his inflexible reso-
lution to pursue. Why, then, the sudden
change! "The leopard does not change his
spots," the lion does not become the lamb at
a moment's notice, nor without some adequate
.Toyotts pceans may be chaunted by the
open and avowed advocates of Russia as to the
extraordinary "moderation," of the AUTOCRAT,
but Credat Jadceots A pella, non ego, or, according
to the parallel apophthegm in the vernacular, "Tell
that to the marines, for the sailors won't believe
you." We may possibly find an adequate explana-
tion of the sadden conversion iu some casuistical
and hair-splitting interpretation of the terms,
yitni-
lat to that which gave au infamous notoriety to the
first Yienna Note of 1853, which, like the pre-
sent one, was approved of by the Governments of
Austria, France, and England, and which re-
ceived " a pure and simple" acceptance of that of
Russia, but, as it afterwards appeared, with an
arriere pen,o,e, or private reservation, that
altogether deprived it of its valise, and would
have rendered the terms destructive of the inde-
pendence of Turkey, if carried into practical exe-
cution.
What reason have we to suppose that Austria
has so completely changed her tactics since last

April as to render inapplicable the deliberate
judgment of Lord CLARENDaN, contained in his
despatch of the 21st April, 1855, that there was
" much reason to fear that Austria would propose
nothing that Russia would be unwilling to accept ;
while, on the other hand, it seemed probable that
Russia would agree to nothing that would inter-
fere with the determination that the Emperor
ALEXANDRA announced of carrying out the policy
Of PETER and of CATHERINE V' Let us see
whether, under the Propositions now under notice,
that policy has been at all abandoned; or whether,
on tke other hand, we are not rather aiding and
assisting in carrying it out, to an extent that -wit
place the Ottoman empire, bound hand and foot,
at the mercy of her wily, unscrupulous, and in-
merciful opponent.
The obief point is that which relates to the 3o-
called "neutralisation of the Black Sea," which,
as a eentemporary—the Morning Hereci---astutely
substituted for the old and
remarks, "has been
intelligible phrase—cessation of Russian prepon-
derance in the Black Sea r' This is the great
achievement of Austria—the triumph of our

32.24Ci0US diplOtilatiStS It is for this that we
have expeaded gn many inillions of nioney, soeh
es, riads of invaluable lives ! "The eea 153 to be
open to merchant vela--closed to war navies !"
The sheep,
as in the time-konoured apo/ogue,
consent to discard the watch-dogs—exemplified
by the war vessels of the Maritime Powers, and
even their own armed ships ; but the docks of
Nioelaief, which is not on the Euzine, but on the
tributary, the Bout, May exhibit intense activity.
irresistible arizzelant, at least s 5 far as Turkey
entoeszod, Y th•r• °rltalliesd and prepared

; 1

allot. bail

-t _

against which the Western States will not oven
have the right of protesting. But this is not all.
Turkey has always had some protection in her own
forts and strongholds against her unscrupulous
adversary. Silistria aid Varna have proved in-
superable obstacles to Russian progress, and the
fortifications of the Bosphorus promised to give a
warm reception to any invading foe. Are these
to be dismantled to gratify the amour propre of
Russia ? It would be an act of deep and unpa-
ralleled treachery even to contemplate. Far better
that " the standing menace to Constantinople"
should remain in all its terrible and ominous
strength than that Turkey should be deprived
of her chief protection which might enable her
to resist the invader, although supported by Aus-
trian auxiliaries, until French and English valour
might supply the much-required aid. Yet if we
look to the terms, "no naval or military arsenals"
shall be maintained there (i.e., on the Black Sea),
Turkey must submit to these very humiliating and
perilous conditions. Well may the SULTAN ex-
claim, " Save me from my friends !" Their aid
will indeed have been dearly purchased should it
terminate in such an untoward result.

It is certain that there is some potent influence
in operation, hostile to English interests, which
must at any cost be brought to light. A strin-
gent inquiry must le instituted into the secret
cause. We cannot believe that Lords PALMER.
STON or CLARENDON would of themselves assent
to stipulations so manifestly injurious. The
question then arises, Who is the traitor ?—and
that question must receive a direct and cate-
gorical reply. Is he to be found within the
limits of the Cabinet, professing to render his
beet services to our most gracious SOVEREIGN,
while he is devoted heart aid soul to her avowed
enemy or her pretended friend ? If so, there is a
constitutional method of purgatien. We saw how
speedily one, who had weakly and timidly yielded
to the spirit of Germanism, was removed on a
former occasion ; how Lord J•HN RUSSELL was
compelled to resign, in order to save his colleagues
from the consequences of the motion of Sir E.
BULWER LYTTON. A similar result would follow
a like course in the forthcoming session. Should
the evil influence be without the Cabinet, then it
must be more closely followed up ; and it
will also be detected, if the parties are in
earnest in the pursuit. Whatever or whosoever it
may he, it can no longer be tolerated. The un-
clean thing must be put from amongst us. We
must have England for the English, not for the
Germans. We shall not surrender oar Anglican
laws for German examples ; and, like the Barons
,it Runnymede, we are prepared to join, heart
and soul, in the spirited exclamation, "?Volumes
lege3 Anglia mutari ;" and woe to those who
enter on what must necessarily prove the abor-
tive attempt.

Whether, after lending dignity to the Senate
by his commanding eloquence, and enlightening it
by the rays of his genius and learning, Mr.
MACAULAY intended, while announcing his retire-
ment to his constituents, to call their attention to
the fact that members of Parliament are, or ought
to be, servants of their respective constituencies,
we are unable to say. If it was, he has left a
legacy behind him by which the constitHency of
' Edinburgh, and other constituencies, will do well
to profit, and has added another obligation to the
many which, throughout his career, he has con-
ferred on the public ; for nothing can be more
certain than that an obliviousness of the fact has
characterised the proceedings of but too ra may
members of the House of late; and has been pro-
ductive of infinite mischief to the best interests of
the nation.

The reader has only to take up a file of news-
papers recording what has taken place in the
House and in the country since the commencement
of the War to be convinced of the truth of our
assertion—that is, if he ha's any doubt about the
matter. On turning over the file he will discover
how ill the views of the nation have been repre-
sented in many instances in relation to the War—
how when from one end of the country to the other
the constituencies had pronounced for a vigorous
prosecution of hostilities, members of Parliament
have presumed to countenance a traitorous do-
nothing policy, nay, actually to play into the
hands of the enemy by denouncing the War alto-
gether, and offering every obstruction in their
power to- its prosecution. And in the foremost
rank of these un-English members he will discover,
with grief and amazement, men whose political
existence is the creature of popular favour, and
who without it would have never had a chance of
setting foot in Parliament. Men who owing every-
thing to their country have not been ashamed to
put weapons in the hand of her adversary, and,
in the indulgence of a sordid spirit, have pre-
ferred to be popular in Russia rather than at
home, to find an echo of their sentiments in
the Muscovite rather than the English heart, to
the infinite disgust of the nation at largo as
well as of their constituents, who have vainly,
by their organs, called on them to retire.
What can be more clear, we would demand
of him, than that if the true relation be-
tween members and their constituents were
constantly present to the public mind, as universal
shout of disapproval would have caused these re-
fractory gentlemen to vacate their seats !

The doctrine is pregnant with to important
consequences to be suffered to pass into oblivion.
It is of the very essence of the theory of representa-
tion, without which the theory is a farce. We don't
mean to say that members of Parliament are, or
ought to be, the slaves of the people—they dislike
the true doctrine too much for us to aggravate its
bitterness—but we do say that members are sent to
Parliament to do for the people what they cannot
do for thenaselves--viz., give expression and effect
to their views on public affair's, and guard and
vindicate their particular interests. To do this
in the very nature of things necessitates a certain
amount of discretion being granted to members,
since it were impossible for them to ascertain the
decision of their constituents on every measure
brought before the House, supposing that consti-
tuents generally were prepared to give one ; and
hence it is left them honestly to apply the general
principles on which they were elected to each
particular case that will admit of it, and other-
wise to do for their canstituents what, were they
present, it
might fairly bs inferred they by a
general consensus would do for themselves.

To call this slavery is alreost as absurd a 3 to call
the practice in vogue representation. No mem-
ber is bound to do violence to his conscience by
the support of any measures of which he disap-
proves. Resignation is open to him if, by reason
or attempt at persuasion, he cannot convince his
constituents he is right ; and he will fail in his
duty to hi,nsel f if he renders unprincipled ser-
vice, as he will to his constituents, if he forgets
that he is a servant, and does only as he chooses.
The doctrine has been too long in abeyance, and
we trust will henceforth be insisted on wherever
a candidate presents himself for popular suffrages.

one.

Another very stormy scene has been enacted at
the meeting of the Eastern Counties shareholders
yesterday. In place of listening patiently to those
who hid usuraentii to pat forwari, and thus to

enable impartial and unprejudiced persons to I
arrive at a reasonable conclusion, there was a
constant succession of yelling, hooting, shrieking,
and hissing, that effectually drowned the voice of
any speaker who had some dozen of noisy oppo-
nents in the arena. This is certainly not the way
to arrive at a fair judgment on the vexatce gays-
t iaiies. The conduct of the Chairman was impugned ;
an important question was at issue respecting the
policy and propriety of his management between
himself and the Committee of Investigation. A very
elaborate bill of indictment had been framed which
was many months in preparation, and which esta-
blished a prima facie case. It is but justice to
Mr. WADDINOTON to say that in a comparatively
brief period he brought forward very distinct
answers to every accusation, and boldly vindicated
his own character and management. Something
might possibly have been said that might have
helped the unbiassed shareholders in arriving at
a just judgment. But the opponents of Mr.
WAPDINGTON seemed resolved to prevent any
additional light from being thrown on these
complicated transactions. Under such circum-
stances the best, the only thing that can be done,
is to rest on the previous statements, and the
evidence that has been adduced in their sup-
port, and to await the result of the poll
which has been demanded and is now going on.
Then the point in dispute will be decided legally.
The shareholders, as a body, will have the oppor-
tunity of declaring who is right and who is
wrong, according to the evidence already in their
possession. If more be required, let means be
taken to obtain it ; but let not matters that should
1)e decided in accordance with truth and justice be
subjected to the arbitration of brute force. From
the statement of the Chairman, it would appear
that he has received a very decided approval of
his conduct and policy from a very large majority
of those best entitled to vote, but who could not
venture their persons amongst the " roughs" who
constituted a portion of the meeting, and who
were little better than the bludgeonmen who ac-
quired such unhappy notoriety in the old elec-
tion. Let us not be misunderstood. We are
far from imputing any blame to the respectable
and reasonable men on any side. Bat expe-
rience has shown that a comparatively small
party, solely intent on making a disturbance, can
effect their object against a majority of ten to

Mr. WADDING TON states that there
are proxies in his favour, representing
1,379,280/. aid:20,025 votes, while on behalf of
the Committee there is only stock to the
extent of 251,4i0/. and 4,299 votes ! We shall,
however, know more of the matter at the close of
the poll on Monday, and learn whether the WAD-
DINGTON dynasty is to be maintained, or subiti-
toted for that of the new claimant to the Imperial
Purple of the Eastern Counties.