The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-19 00:00:00

pressed than he was with that short memoir ; and
it struck him that, though there were many eccen-
tricities in that man's life, yet, if we could band
together 100 such men, we should do more to pre-
serve peace, and secure ourselves from invasion,
than by millions upon. millions expended in war.
He asked them which of the two characters was to
be held up to admiration—that of Joseph Sturge or
that of the two emperors ? (Loud cheers.) The
resolution was to the effect that the meeting de-
plored the breaking out of war, and deeply regretted
that the efforts of her Majesty's Government had
not been successful in preventing it.
Mr. E. W. WATKIN, who was received with loud
applause, said it was hardly three years since the
Congress of Paris, after settling the question which
brought the great powers together, agreed upon
certain resolutions as to the alarming state of
Italy (consequent on Austrian tyranny and mis-
government, and also upon internal differences and
feuds), and also on the higher and greater question of
settling national disputes by the common sense
tribunal of arbitration, (Cheers.) On the first
question there was entire unanimity, except that
Austria denied, protested, and delayed, and those
changes which might have been carried out in the
then peaceful temper of Europe were thus fatally,
retarded. From first to last the present complica-
tions were attributable to the conduct of Austria at
that congress. But all the powers having sincerely
or hypocritically assented to the principle of arbi•
tration, why did we find ourselves, within three
years of the Crimean expenditure, on the eve of a
bloody contest now waging in southern Europe,
and threatening to spread northward ? He believed
our present Government had honestly endeavoured
to bring about a peaceful solution—(hear, hear)—
proposed arbitration, and offered to be the arbitra-
tors. (Hear, hear.) And he believed at the very
moment when all excuse was being taken away
from the French Emperor, it was the conduct of
Austria that precipitated the state of things which
. this meeting had assembled to protest against. If
their sympathy were required for either of the com-
batants, he believed there was hardly a gentleman
present, whatever his politics, but would sympa-
thise rather with Sardinia than with Austria.
(Cheers.) With all her faults, over-eagerness, and
indiscretions, Sardinia was the focus of constitu-
tional government and regulated love of liberty
throughout the Italian peninsula ; and Sardinia,
rightly or wrongly, was looked to by the rest of
Italy as the power which must collect together in
one common bond the whole of the Italian States,
freed from a foreign yoke, and under a constitu-
tional government again to take their place in the
van of civilisation,which their ancestors contributed
so much to create and to distribute over Europe.
(Cheers.) And he believed it was not out of place to
remark that either Sardinia or any other country,
believing itself to be intimidated and oppressed, was
by every law of nature or right free to call in the
aid of any power it pleases to defend it from aggres-
sion}. What, then, should be the course of England?
Having failed in mediation, no man dreamed of
assisting Austria to put down freedom in Italy ;
and notwithstanding the brotherhood of different
portions of Germany, all parties- in that country
had united, in the recent discussions, in declaring,
that it was not the function even of Prussia to in-
terfere in a question which at present affected
simply the liberties of Italians. Were we, then, to
assist France—(No, no and cheers)—" our august
ally" ? (Laughter.) It appeared that, notwith-
standing his professions of fidelity engagements had
been made with Russia that ought not to have been
made without the cognisance of this country, in
alliance with France. (Hear, hear.) Those engage-
ments were not made in the interests of peace or
" the balance of power," but their design must have
been inimical to the interests of this country, and
contrary to the alliance on the faith of which we
entered into the Russian war, spent £100,000,000
of our money., and sacrificed 40,000 of our citizens.
(Hear, hear.) He cordially adopted the belief that
we should not be attacked—(cheers)--but he must
say he did not consider our position—with a very
doubtful ally within a couple of hours' steaming
from the coast, and with a certain isolation conse-
quent upon that very alliance—was altogether to
be viewed without anxiety. Our best defence was
steadfastly to keep at peace, at the same time not
to forget that the same doubtful and vacillating
policy which led to the secret treaty between Russia
and France might lead .to engagements directly
against ourselves. (Cheers.) Though not a member
of the Peace Society himself he believed their policy
had been much maligned, and that in case of actual
interference with our rights, the members of that
body would be foremost for our defence, as they
were determined against aggression on our part.
(Hear, hear.) We did not know much of the evils
of war here, but he had been in Prussia, Holland,
and Belgium, only a few days ago, and he could
bear witness to the exactions of compulsory service
made by the government upon the inhabitants in
consequence of the danger of war. Men were dragged
I from their counting houses, their professions, and
their shops, from every part of Europe, this country
included, to take their place as soldiers in those
armies which Prussia was concentrating to prevent
aggression upon German territory. (Hear, hear.)
He had great pleasure in seconding the resolution.
The motion was carried unanimously, as was the
second resolution, pledging the meeting to support
the Government for the time being in maintaining
strict neutrality in reference to the war in Southern
Europe, and in adopting such measures as were
necessary for the real honour and safety of the
country. A memorial to the Government was also
adopted to the same effect.

The meeting was briefly addressed in support of
these resolutions by Mr. Bazley, M.P., Mr. IL
Ashworth, Mr. T. B. Potter, Mr. J. A. Nicholls,
and other gentlemen.
Mr. CHADWICK, who strongly dissented from
some remarks questioning the propriety of the for-
mation of rifle corps, said he was convinced that
they were in accordance with the most constitu-
tional method of defending our shores, and he was
prepared to give £5O to every regiment that was
formed, up to £5OO. (Loud cheers.)
The meeting concluded with thanks to Sir J.
Watts for presiding, moved by Mr. Hadfield, M.P.

BRADFORD.—At a special monthly meeting of
the Bradford Town Council, held on Tuesday,
Alderman Atkinson.moved—" That the Council do
adopt an address to her Most Gracious Majesty the
Queen, respectfully urging the necessity and policy
of this country preserving the strictest neutrality
in the war now pending, and respectfully assuring
her Majesty of the devoted loyalty of the Corpora-
tion, and their determination to support her
Majesty's Government in carrying out any measure
for any defence and protection which may be
necessary for the defence of the country."—Coun-
cillor Rudd seconded the resolution.—Alderman
Beaufort supported it, and it wits then unanimously
carried.

NOTTINGITA3I.—A crowded meeting of the inha-
bitants of Nottingham was held on Tuesday even-
ing, in the Exchange Hall, for the purpose of
considering the propriety of memorialising the
Government to observe a strict neutrality during
the present war. The Mayor occupied the chair.
Mr. Alderman Heymann proposed the first resolu-
tion, expressive of satisfaction at her Majesty's
proclamation enjoining a strict neutrality during
the Italian war. While the meeting believed
that such strict neutrality will best become the dig-
nity and honour of the Crown and its subjects, and
will also greatly tend to the restoration of peace,
those present expressed their strong desire that our
army and navy, including volunteers, may be main-
tained in the most efficient state, so as best to secure

the honour and independence of the country. Mr.
Councillor Mundella seconded the' motion, which,
having been spoken to by Mr. Heymann and the
Rev. J. Matheson, was carried unanimously, Mr.
Alderman Vickers proposed the adoption of a me-
morial to her Majesty embodying the resolution,
which was seconded by Dr. T. Robertson, and car-
ried. The Mayor stated that he was in communica-
tion with the proper authorities for the formation
of a rifle corps in Nottingham, which announcement
was received with loud cheers.

ASTITON-UNDER-LYNE.-A public meeting was
held in the Ashton Town Hall on Tuesday, called
by the Mayor, in compliance with a requisition,
"for the purpose of giving an expression of opinion
on the present warlike attitude of nations on the
continent of Europe, and the duty of the country in
this eventful crisis." The Mayor presided ; and on
the platform were many influential gentlemen. The
body of the ball was not full. Mr. Councillor Wood
proposed the first resolution, which declared that
the meeting, "though deeply sympathising with
Italy in her apprehensions and sorrows, cannot re-
gard with confidence or with hope the armed
agencies which are put in operation" professedly
for her deliverance." The motion was seconded by
ywtohafse
w.l
NRiaerNs: .iAnJ..f
favour
of
ra s. proposedpo:li
ct next resolution, unanimously,ohho
Councillor Dr. Lees and was supported by ;the
struggle between Austria
Ashton seconded 11-*
- Dna • France• Mr. S.
unanimously.
-resolution, which was carried
Queer 'amidst cheers. An address to the
- -,_embOdyirig the spirit of the resolutions, was
adopted. The meeting was unanimous in support-
ing a strict neutrality, andevery sentence referring
to the means of doing so and denouncing any inter-
ference was received with great cheers.—Man-
chester Cluarclian,

The amount of specie that will be taken for the
East by the outgoing steamer on Friday is £388,441, of
which £2,10 is fat Alexandria, £339,451 for India, includ-
ing a Govetiunent remittance of 1287,750 for Calcutta and
£16,840 foe China, £13,906 is in gold end £344,535 silver,