The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-06 00:00:00

enable them to assist those refugees from all countries in
T rope who were now obliged to land on the shores of
Itiland. He could not deny that a gloom had settled
around the cause of Poland. To be sure the late Hun-
garian aril& appeared to offer a favourable opportunity
fu; Lk* Poles to attempt once more to tear their Russian
bonds asunder. The Hungarians fur a while fought
Lobly, gallantly, triumphantly, but Russia came into
the field, threw her sword into the scale, and succeeded
at last in overwhelming them by force of numbers; and
when Hungary fell all hope for Poland, for the present '
at least, passed away. But did he on this account despair?
No; he did not doubt that justice would be ultimately
triumphant. A righteous cause was always successful
and truth in the end prevailed; and the cause of
Poland was as righteous, as just, and as true
as it ever was; and so far from desponding, he would
rather impress on the minds of his Polish friends that
they might be called upon every moment to take advan-
tage of some crisis favourable ti their recovering their
country's freedom; for such was the state of society
throughout all parts of Europe—sach was the state of
convulsive agitation and transition that existed, that
at any moment political and social Europe might be
shaken to its foundation ; and, therefore, he would
urge the people of Polan to be prepared to avail
themselves of every just and righteous means which
would enable them to turn that crisis, whenever it did
arrive, to account—(Hear)—and in the meanwhile to
endeavour in every way to strengthen the moral in-
•fluence which their nation possessed in Europe. For
amidst all their reverses and misfortunes, the Poles might
encourage themselves by the reflection that they would
leave a proud inheritance to their children—the heritage
of an imperishable fame—for, though Poland was Van-
quished and trodden under foot, she fell amidst the
regrets, the sympathies, the admiration of the civilized
world; and fie would, at that moment, rather be a
son of Poland, oppressed as she was, than the great
colossus of the North, with his blood-stained trophies
and his organized hordes.—(Hear, hear.) Let the
Poles impress that on their countrymen and their
ohildren ; let Ulm know the necessity of keeping
up the proud moral position which they held in the
eyes of Europe, and when the crisis did come for them
to strike another blow for their liberty, they would do
so with the good wishes, the earnest hopes, and the fervent
prayers of all surrounding nations for their success.
The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks.
Mr. J. A. SMITH, M.P., proposed a vote of thanks to
the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Birkbeck for the valuable
services he had at all times rendered to the association.
Lieutenant CHARLES SZULCZEWSKI seconded the
motion, and said he could not allow the proceedings to
close without thanking the honorary secretary on be-
half of himself and his countrymen for the impor-
tant, valuable, and zealous exertions which he had ,
made on behalf of the unfortunate Poles in
this country. Many other institutions had existed in
different parts of Europe for the purpose of assisting the
Poles, but they had all been swept away amidst the
changes which had taken place, and only in England,
the true land of liberty and freedom, was there one left,
and to that the Roles might look as an encouraging
though solitary proof that the freedom of their country
Was not yet hopeless.—(Hear.)
Mr. BIRBECIC returned thanks in appropriate terms,
and the meeting separated.

nER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
GRAND EXTRA NIGHT.

The Nobility, Patrons of the Opera, and the Public are respectfully
informed that a Grand Extra Night will take place
On THURSDAY next, May 9,
When will be presented (for the first time these two years) Bellinrs
Celebrated Opera,