The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-05-30 00:00:00

THE WAR.

THE most important event which has yet taken
place since the commencement of the war, is the
protocol which has been signed, at Vienna, by the
representatives of the Four Powers, recognising
the treaty between England, France, and Turkey,
for active interposition in defence of the latter
State ; and also recognising the separate treaty
between Austria and Prussia, for the united action
of the German Powers against the aggressions of
Russia on the territorial settlement of Europe. If
any reliance can be placed on the sincerity of
Austria and Prussia in this matter, and of this
there are still some doubts, owing to the evident
leaning of the King of PRUSSIA towards Russian
counsels, it should, at least, have the good effect of
convincing the Emperor Nrcuous that he has no
dependence but on his own resources, that he may
look in vain for au ally, and that, consequently, in
continuing the contest, he has the whole of .the rest
of Europe leagued against him. If he is at all
amenable to reason, this conviction may have far
more influence upon him than the bombardment
of Odessa, which has been craftily converted into
a Russian victory, the destruction of Sevastopol,
which is by no means improbable, or even the
'capture of the more important fortiess of Cronstadt.
These would be comparatively minor losses, bad he
Austria and Prussia to fall back upon ; but, with
the German Powers in league with. England and
France, his position must be every day becoming
more dangerous, while the heavy losses to his
own subjects, from the stoppage of their commerce
and the capture of so many of their vessels, may
lead to insurrectionary movements, and so preci-
pitate the denouement—his death or abdication.
That the war is by no means popular in Russia, is
shown by the recent attack on Count NESSELEODE
in the streets of St. Petersburg, and this is not
surprising, when it is remembered that the people
are the greatest sufferers, without any possible
object to gain, not even the phantom of military
glory, which has often led the French to victory,
or death. It is also said that the Emperor
NICHOLAS is alone in his warlike aspirations, the
other members of his family being opposed to his
views, but that, having once taken the rash step
through a mistaken notion of 'the influence of the
English Premier, he knows not how to recede, and
pursues his rash course in a kind of frantic despe-
ration. The only solution, therefore, of the diffi-
culty is his abdication, leaving the task of
withdrawal from the contest to his successor, who
might do so with honour, having never sanctioned
-its commencement. There is also some talk of
-the abdication of the King of Pnusste, whose near
relationship to the Empress of RUSSIA has ren-
dered his conduct so suspicious ; and -this would
solve another difficulty, as the popular feeling in
t.
Prussia is hostile to Russia, and would be grati-
fied by cordially joining with the Western Powers.

COMING ELECTION.

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, AND GENE P. AL COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER.

objection sometimes raised to the payment of

Church-rates upon pretended scruples of conscience,
that it is useless to discuss it ; but we may remark
that the scheme proposed would be a direct rob-
bery of the Church, in order to benefit the owners
of property to be relieved, who acquired their pro-
perty subject to the payment of this, as well as o
other rates. What is really wanted is rather an
alleviation of the law, so that so obviously neces-
sary a demand may not be subject to the decision
of Radical vestries, with the only alternative of an
appeal to the Ecclesiastical Courts. Unfortunately
there are many men who would not pay their debts
but for the obligation of law; and it is the same
selfish feeling which dictates their opposition to
Church-rates, however they may disguise it. The
Church of England, as by law established, is osten-
sibly and practically the Poor Man's Church ; its
blessings, like those of its great founder, are offered
without money and without price ; the Christian
instruction of the poor is a duty which is owing by
every subject of the State ; and, therefore, to refuse
this small amount of aid, the least oppressive of all
taxes, is virtually to close our churches against all
but those who are able and willing to pay for the
accommodation.

BIRKENHEAD COIMISSIONERS.--:THE

THE election of eight Commissioners of Birken-
head—seven in the room of those who go out by
rotation, and one to fill a vacancy caused by resig-
nation—is appointed for Tuesday next, and it is
confidently expected will take place without the
excitement of a contest. It will be remembered
that last year the township was divided into two
parties, which, under the respective titles of Blue
and Red, carried on the contest with a zeal which
was worthy of a more intelligible cause. The
chief object. then to be gained was a majority for
the appointment of Dock Trustees, and the Blue
party was triumphant. The use which was made
of this victory was the conclusion of a contract
with Messrs. BRASSEY and Co., for the completion
of the dock works, which have since been pro-
ceeded with. Reflection, however, has since led
to the conviction that something more is required
of a Board of Commissioners than the carrying out
of one object, however desirable, and that victory
may be purchased too dearly if it lead to the
exclusion, from the governing body, of those men
who are best qualified. for the management of
public affairs. There was, in reality, no question
of party politics involved, for each list contained
the names of Conservatives and Radicals ; but
unfortunately the contest led to disunion and
differences between men having but one common
interest, and which are always inimical to the
prosperity of a community. This conviction it is
hoped will operate on the present occasion, to
avoid a repetition of the evil; and that, with a
sole regard to their fitness for the office, those
men will be proposed for Commissioners who will
promote the welfare of the township, without
reference to party feelings. In order to accom-
plish this object, a meeting of some of the most
influential inhabitants was held on Thursday last,
and though some alteration may be made in the
list of candidates, which was then agreed to, there
is no doubt that the selection will be submitted
to the ratepayers, and carried without the tur-
moil of a contest. Birkenhead is now on the eve
of a great improvement, and it will be the duty of
the Commissioners to render all its advantages
available, without descending to petty squabbles
on personal matters. It is not this or that per-
soa's property to be benefited, but the interests
of the whole community ; and if this be done in
fair, impartial spirit, the office of Commissioner
will be elevated in social importance, and Birken-
head will yet realise the enthusiastic. hopes which
were indulged in some years since, In treating
of this question, it is folly to suppose that there
is any rivalry with the town of Liverpool. Every
advance in Birkenhead must be participated in a
great degree on this side of the Mersey ; and
while Liverpool haCevery available foot of ground
occupied, and obliged to extend far into the
suburbs to find habitations for her numerous and
still increasing population, every advance made in
Birkenhead is affording additional accommodation,
equally accessible, and more so by the commo-
dious ferry-boats, than by the numerous vehicles
which ply between Liverpool and the surrounding
hamlets in Lancashire. Birkenhead has ample
space for many more houses in close proximity to
the ferries ; but the land is afflicted with an
incubus of mortgage, which has paralysed all
building operations, and may perhaps some day
call for an Encumbered Estate Act, to restore it
to vitality. At all events, the Commissioners
should bear in mind that they ought to have but
one object—the good of the township ; and,
should this be steadily kept in view, they will
have cause to rejoice that Blue and Red have
been fused into an Imperial Purple.