The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-17 00:00:00

THE INSURRECTION IN POLAND.

A letter from Warsaw, dated April 10, says—An
infatuation has taken possession of the rulers of this
people. One cannot help recalling those words, so
often verified by the result—" Quern Deus trill
perdere Arius dernentat." No sooner do they take
a step in the right direction,—no sooner is the public
mind a little traquillised by conciliatory measures,
than there is immediately some withdrawal of some-
thing dear to the nation's heart—some open vio-
lence done to the national wishes. .

I closed my last with a few words on the bad effect
produced by the order for the dissolution of the
force of special constables. I mentioned that fresh
demonstrations were likely to be the result. I had
hardly sent off my letter when they began. In the
course of Thursday evening last and Friday there
were several. They were very peaceable in their
character, consisting of the assemblage of two or
three thousand persons around some figure of the
Virgin, and the singing of some religious hymns.
There was no violation of the peace, and no
interference on the part of the authorities,
so that they died a natural death, being
openly discouraged by the majority of the popu-
lation. But on Saturday an event occurred which
has roused up once more all the strongest national
passions, and has resulted in fresh scenes of mas-
sacre and bloodshed. This was an order from the
Council of Administration, signed by Prince Gort-
schakoff, to dissolve the Agricultural Society. No--
thing could have been more ill-timed ; nothing
more unwise. The Marquis IVielopolski is believed
to have been the author of this measure, and there
is no doubt that it had his sanction in the Council.
Ho is a man of a most despotic temperament, and
cares nothing for popular opinion, always carrying
an idea into execution in spite of friends and foes.
Last week, as I told you, the popular feeling had
rather turned in his favour, in consequence of his
more liberal management of the press, and several
other matters which gratified the national preju-
dices ; but towards the end of the week he sent for
the several religious consistories, and spoke to them
in terms which produced a very unfavourable im-
pression. Especially he declared he would allow
"no Government within the Government," a phrase
which, though variously interpreted, was generally
believed to have reference to the Agricultural
Society, and the part that had been taking in public
affairs. These-surmises were but too well founded,
as was seen by the order of Saturday deoreeing its
dissolution. The decree consists of three para-
graphs—the first declaring that, in consequence of
the Agricultural Society's interference in things
beyond its province, it was dissolved by the will of
the Emperor and King; the next promising that
committees for agricultural purposes should be esta-
blished throughout the kingdom in its place ; and
the third ordering the transfer of its existing funds
to the Bank of Poland, as a deposit for the benefit
of those to whom they belonged. As might have
been expected, the people regarded the whole thing
as an attack on Count Andre Zamoyski, the presi-
dent; and they were proportionably exasperated at
seeing such an affront directed against one who
possessed their love and confidence. Moreover,
though it was true in fact that the committee of
the society had, perhaps, exceeded the powers
granted by the ukase which authorised its forma-
tion, it had done so by permission or by
express invitation. If the expression in the
decree had reference to the discussion of the
present question, the president had received ex-
press :permission in writing from the Prince him-
self to discuss this matter ; if it referred to the
part it had taken since the commencement of the
present disturbances, the president and vice-presi-
dent had been specially summoned by the Prince to
give him the benefit of their advice and assistance.
From.every point of view, therefore, the society's
dissolution was most impolitic. On Sunday, the
day after the publication of the decree, public feel-
ing gave itself expression in three monster demon-
strations. After morning service there was an
immense gathering at the cemetery of Powonski,:at
the grave of the victims of the 27th of February.
In the afternoon many thousands assembled in
front of the building in which the Agricultural
Society's business is transacted, and after decorating
it with garlands went to the palace of Count Andre
Zamoyski to present him with the two wreaths—
one "in the name of a grateful country to the
President of the Agricultural Society," the other
"To the Count Andre Zamoyski as a testimonial of
the confidence and respect of his fellow- countrymen."
It was a perfect ovation. The order was wonderful.
The special constables, though disbanded, were
there keeping the peace, only showing their cards of
authority, which they carried in their pockets in-
stead of on their hats as before, to be instantly
obeyed. And then, after the Count, in compliance
with the demands of the crowd, had appeared on a
balcony and said a few words to the assembled
thousands, they dispersed as quietly as they had
collected. In the evening, for the third time during
the day, the inhabitants of the town collected
in immense numbers—this time not to testify their