The Liverpool Standard, and General Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-08-29 00:00:00

THE WAR WITH RUSSIA.

PERHAPS the most exciting event which has yet
taken place in the progress of the war is the cap-
ture of Bomarsund, the Russian fortress on the
Aland Isles, at the mouth of the Gulf of Bothnia ;
and the most has been made of it by the ministerial
organs, in order to persuade the public into the
belief that the war is being prosecuted with vigour.
It cannot be denied that the affair afforded an
ample proof that the crews of the Baltic fleet have
lost none of the courage and energy which shone
so conspicuously at the Nile and Trafalgar. It may
also be affirmed that the capture of Aland is im-
portant, not only as providing a wintering place
for the Baltic fleet, but serving to convince Sweden
of the necessity of co-operating with the Western
Powers in active hostility to Russia. It may also
serve to convince the CZAR of the folly of under-
valuing the prowess and resources of the force
opposed to him. Still, with all these advantages,
the question will force itself upon public attention,
that the immense power possessed by Admiral
Nernra might ere this have been exercised against
the more important strongholds of Helsingfors or
Cronstadt. There is a strong suspicion existing in
many minds that our commanders have instruc-
tions from the ostensible heads of our Government
at home, to do as little injury as possible to Russia,
consistently with keeping up a show of active hos-
tilities ; and nothing has yet occurred to remove
such a suspicion. We were told some weeks since
by the ministerial organ that the fortress of Sebas-
topol was being attacked by sea and land, and even
the day was named on which the operations were
being commenced ; but, though nearly four weeks
have since elapsed, all that we have heard by elec-
tric telegraph is the anticipated departure of the
troops for the expedition to the Crimea ; so that
the public must continue to exercise patience for
some time longer, until, perhaps, in the meantime
we may learn that negotiations have been renewed,
in order to kindly oblige the CZAR with the delay
which was never more necessary to him.
An important feature in the last week's news is
the occupation of the Danubian Principalities by
the Austrian forces. If confidence can really be
placed in the sincerity of the Emperor of AUSTRIA,
this circumstance may prove of considerable advan-
tage to the Allies, inasmuch as it will enable the
Turkish troops, flushed with their victory over the
retreating Russians, to be beneficially employed in
the reduction of the Crimea ; but unfortunately the
conduct of the German Powers has been so vacil-
lating, that the public are but little inclined to place
any confidence in Austrian professions. The pro-
tectorate of Russia over Moldavia and Wallachia

will be substituted by that of the Emperor
AUSTRIA, who has promised to restore them
Turkey on the conclusion of hostilities ; but, ng
he be playing false, he may be more difficult Ort
lodge than the Northern Autocrat, while it is at
all times easy for diplomatists to find a pretat:di
evading a treaty, when it is not convenient to fol'

its requirements.
On Thursday, the telegraph annotmced the/ the
Turkish army in Asia had been totally routed re.
the Russians, who had captured—so said the
port—no less than 23,000 Turks, leaving' 3'ooo Lad
dead on the field of battle. It was, however, ste-i,
that the report came from Russian sources ; 6110
,
as the facility of the latter to convert defeats illecti
victories is well known, the announcement failly
to create any great excitement. It was ill restg
overdone, the capture of 23,000 prisoners te.ro
something beyond the bounds of probability. lthe
also well known to be an important point
the
Mohammedan faith to believe that death on a
field of battle is the sure passport to Paradise ; 11114
therefore it was the more unlikely that loil'eo
Turks would allow themselves to be captured' I;
their death would have been the road to ete
The public, consequently, refused to rVeice t
story, and Russian hyperbole failed in its effect',"
any were intended.

MR. DISRAELI A CHAMPION

PROTESTANTISM

THE address of the Liverpool Working `',;ti,
Protestant Reformation Society to Mr. Eqs°..olo
expressive of their confidence in him as
champion of our Protestant institutions, of
been eagerly seized upon by the orgy °
Liberalism, as an opportunity for raking ul3O
the slanders which unscrupulous malev'e-t,e,
can suggest, and to which some of the all
cedents of the Conservative leader may hay 10.
some degree laid him open. We are not the
gists or defenders of all that Mr. DisBAELI has as ta
and done during a long and active life devote er
literature and politics ; but in these days of 10
sion of principles, with such instances as the preSCe
Ministry can furnish, it is a contemptible Preteiloe
of political virtue to breathe a word against 4,
consistency of one who may fairly challenge c
.;j5,
parison with the most immaculate of his rig' co
The question has, however, a higher signoe;it
than a petty squabble respecting what this or oe
man may have said or done twenty years aga'
detractors of Mr. DISRAELI may say their
and after all it will not do away the simple yet 1#
portant fact, that, since the defection of the latex
ROBERT PEEL, he has been the consistent,
untiring, and by far the ablest champion 64 to
Conservative cause. Without any other
notice than his own ability, he reached the 'l;d
manding position of leader of the landed aristac4
of England; and, though the pride of birth 1..0
have felt humbled by his want of it, the subrol°jere
to his leadership was a necessity which all 'ea' a
compelled to admit. We might have preferred',
man with more of the prestige belonging to Are 0
Lion, but it would be the height of ingratitu;cb
reject aid which was never more wanted, and lot
was rendered with such consummate ability, axe
even his enemies were compelled to ackacw:ecer
his superiority. It is a fact beyond cavil, 110-10
reluctant may be our admission of it, tialtLce of
the Conservatives have had all the adranoe
numbers and respectability, their opponent° at
tale
monopolised that boasted administrative
which is deemed indispensable to ministers' 'ater
The Protestant cause has had greoeil
advantages in point of numbers, and yet has
t
incapable of progress, from deficiency °f the 0320
taut element of an able leader, with an intelllgi
for,,
ground of action. It was the mischief Of 3
Conservative administration, that it waS
identified with antagonism to Rome, but rather
1,8
reverse; for it was Sir ROBERT PEEL Who glbs
permanent endowment to Maynooth College' d
withdrawing the grant from the annual votere3
Parliament. However the question may be fritteg
of
away with ingenious casuistry about differenee'd
doctrine, the real point at issue is discourager°lo
and resistance to Romish aggression, in whaie
form it may be presented ; and this will never be
accomplished so long as the present ster: 0
allowed to retain their places. Lord J. BT:6:ylow
has avowed himself as a champion of ProtesW4
and at one time laid claim to support by praetiehO
separating the sees of St. Asaph and Bangorno;
his predecessor had in vain been called upon t4/0 of
yet this, like his celebrated letter to the 0511Ci'ilit
DURHAM, was but a paroxysm of a better :i.joa.
which all his other actions have belied. 141° 4 ill
der, then, that those who take a deep intereei tfie,
a question of such vital consequence, and fe ,0016
disabilities under which they have laboured,il to
gladly seize the opportunity afforded, and ba
proffered leadership of one who has showll
so consummate a master of political conflict' riatt
have no need, on the present occasion, to enteo 0
any question as the fitness of Mr. DISB Alb
assume the position of a champion of the 0,
of England. We have simply to do with the
ao
tenance of our Protestant institutions 05 tbl
nistic to the insidious designs of Rome ;3-0 their
is a battle-ground upon which all may , 1.
stand, in the full conviction that success ea- 01'
be effected by maintaining the Conservative 13