The Sun.
London, England, 1832-10-02 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

The Journal data Haye, to whose lou
war-whoop we alluded last week, has published
two or three more articles on the Dutch and
Belgic question. In alluding to the article of
the Paris demi-official paper, the Journal des
Debats, it expresses surprise at the announce-
ment of military preparations on the part of
France and England, which it had itself pro-
voked. We have repeatedly mentioned that the
great difficulty which lies in the way of a final
arrangement of Belgic affairs, is the lingering
hope of the King of Holland, that by continued
delay, and by taking advantage of the chapter of
accidents, he may ultimately recover possession
of Belgium. This fooli,,h calculation is be-
trayed in every phrase and word of his official
and hired advocate. Hence the King of Bel-
gium
is never mentioned under his real desig-
nation, but as Prince Coburg, or as the
person who now rules in Brussels. Let his
Dutch Majesty content himself with the com-
mand of those glorious " United Provinces," for
which his ancestors did so much, and which,
under the sway of his family, did so much
for the independence of Europe, and
we should not despair of a speedy set-
tlement of all existing differences between
him -and his southern neighbour. It will be
impossible, except through a war, to look to a
settlement on any other conditions ; and a war
thus provoked, which must be a war of opinions
and principles, more than one of material in-
terests, would be more likely to strip him of his
:crown than to increase his dominions. The
Journal de la Halle is not satisfied with an at-
tack upon a Paris demi-official journal, but
it must likewise make a violent assault on us,
for supporting the necessity of a speedy arrange-
ment. We can assure our contemporary of the
Hague, that we feel no resentment at its
abuse on this occasion ; and that, as we never
had any intention or desire to attack either the
Dutch people or the King of Holland—unless
in their character of disturbers of order or ob-
stacles to peace—we shall be the first to befriend
them, when they show a disposition to remain
tranquilly within their own limits, and to extin-
guish the lighted torch with which they have
threatened a European explosion for the last 18
months. It will be as easy, and perhaps as in-
glorious, for the King of Holland to kindle a
war in Europe, as it was for the ambitious in-
cendiary to set fire to the Temple of Ephesus ;
but what can he gain more than his sacri-
legious prototype by such an operation. The
demi- official journal of the Hague complains
that the Conference of London, and particularly
France and England, two of its members, wish
to make Holland the victim of their arrange-
ments. In what sense this lamentation is to be
understood, the are at a loss to conjecture ; on
what altar Holland is to be offered up, we have
never yet learned. The Dutch nation, as a na-
tion, profess their happinees at being released
from a Belgic connection which brought them
only losses, agitation, and misfortunes. The
Dutch King, as a good patriot, cannot, or ought
not to act contrary to the wishes of his people,
for the renewal of so ill-assorted a union. The
political divorce has thus been pronounced, with
the consent of both parties, the Belgians being
efinally desirous of such a result ; and the only
difficulties to be settled by their respective
friends relate to the conditions of their separa-
tion. Holland ought not, in this case, to claim
mere than she brought into the common stock,
and she certainly did not bring any right to the
province of Luxemburg, or any just claim to the
exclusive navigation of the Scheldt. If the mouth
of that river was sealed for the 150 years which
preceded the exile of the present Nassau family,
it has been opened ever since Europe has been
thrown into a new arrangement, and its naviga-
tion has been declared free by the treaty of
Vienna. Are the Dutch, therefore, to be
considered the victims of injustice because,
without depriving them of any right, the
Powers of Europe refuse to see their neigh-
bours ruined by shutting up the only outlet for
their commerce ? The Dutch demi-official
journal pronounces false some of our former
statements, but its polite epithet applies only to
matters of little importance if true, the ads
statement of which therefore, though admitted,
could not be intentional. One of these ,Vidse"
statements is, that the late propositions were
sent to the Hague by Lord Palmerston, " as
President of the Conference." " No," says
the Dutch oracle, " not as President of the
Conference, but as an individual member." OF
what use is it to contest such a point as this ?
The Conference had been exposed to ridicule
by multiplying formal meetings, and drawing
up formal protocols, which had led to no effec-
tual result. A new proposition was to be made,
a new modification of the treaty of the twenty-
four articles was agreed to by Belgium ; of what
consequence was it whether this new proposition
was transmitted through Lord Palmerston in one
capacity or another, provided it was authentic ?
But, on the showing of the Dutch Govern-
ment itself, if the proposition was only to be
considered as emanating from Lord Palmerston,
individually, the answer ought not to have been
sent to the Conference collectively. Then, it is
said that the propositions of Lord Palmerston
were rejected because they were considered worse
than those of the treaty which they pretended to mo-
dify. This certainly is a most extraordinary charge,
not against the Noble Lord's honesty,—but
against his common sense. If the charge, how-
ever, were correct, why was it not proved by the
answer of the Dutch Government—an answer
which, with a kind of mock-heroic dignity,
passed by the p: oposals of Belgium, transmitted
by his Lordship, as of no validity,—as in fact
non avenues? Then it is denied that the Lon-
don Conference are any thing but peaceful me-
diators between Belgium and Holland. Did
they in that capacity originally compel an ar-
mistice ? Did they in that capacity authorize
France in August, 1831, to repel a Dutch in-
vasion ? Did they in that capacity force the
Belgians to receive the treaty of the 24 articles ?
The allegation is absurd. From the very com-
mencement of the negociations, and at every
stage of their progress, the means of their execu-
tion by force have been contemplated, if force
became necessary ; otherwise the meetings in
Downing-street might have been regarded as
those of a debating diplomatic club, of which
their protocols were the minutes. There
is only one other charge brought against
this paper by the Government journal of
Holland which we think worth answering ;
but our answer involves a point of great
importance. We had called the Belgic set-
tlement " a part of the public law of Europe."
flow can that be denied by any person of com-
mon sense ? The Journal de la Haye has the
folly, or the impudence, to allege that nothing
has been done towards a new arrangement of the
States of Europe till Holland cow-ent to the se-
paration between itself and Belgium, Nothing