Washington sentinel., 1854-01-05
LORD pALMERsToN


abroad. Taking place at this critical period in
The affairs Of Europe, Immediately after The deplo-
rablevictories ofthe Russiansby sea and By land
over the Mussulman forces, and pending the
diplomatic negotiations that arc being made
10 arrest hostihtes, and restore peace, 1t IS the
subject Of much remark and abundant specu-
lation.
By some he is much censured for denying
to his country at so critical conjuncture, the
aid of his eminent talents, his acquaintance
with public affairs, and his great influence.
The London journals indulge in various specu-
Iations as to the causes of his abrupt and un-
looked for resignation of the seals of Office.
Some think one thing, some another. Some
indulge in severe criticism, some in fierce re-
sentiment, some in expressions Of charity and
friendship.
The London Times, which devotes two long
and.able articles to Viscount Palmerston, says
that his resignation is unconnected with the
foreign policy of the government or with any
differences that may have existed in the min
istry between Lord Palmerston and his col
leagues in regard to the eastern questionable
Russo Turkish war. The Times assigns as the
reason of this retirement from the councils of
the nation of one of the first men in England,
his implacable hostility to the Reform bill pre-
pared under the direction of Lord John Russell,
and assented to by the other members of the
government.
II - he Aata he
10TH, contains long and able article on the
same subject, in which it takes a different
ground from the Times. 1t attributes the with
drawal of the Home Secretary to the policy pur-
sued by the government in regard to the eastern
question. 1t says:
But, what we cannot credit for one instant,
is the explanation put forward this morning in
the avowed and recognised organ of the coali-
ton, in reference to this sudden and mysterious
resignation of Lord Palmerston, in the asser-
ton that that withdrawal of the home secretary
from her maesty's government has no refer
ence whatever to the foreign policy of the Aber-
deem administration. To believe this, would be
to throw aside the whole of Lord Palmerston's
most memorable antecedents. In other words,
it would be absolutely preposterous. Speaking
plainly upon this point, it must be pronounced
altogether absurd to suppose that Lord Palmer
ston's genius, and daring, and wisdom, and con.
sistency as diplomatist, has not revolted from
the policy of England throughout this Russo
Turkish difference, as policy most base, be-
cause most pusillanimous.
"That policy has complicated very simple
contest between right and might, into quarrel
that has been gradually dragging into its chaos
the principal powers of western christendom.
IA L. IL IL n q -
and England, after protracted delays, to appear
at last in the waters of Constantinople. Under
what pretext? Under the pretext of prevent
ing collision between Russia and Turkey-a
pretext which, if sincerely, and honestly, and
seriously entertained, would have induced
France and England to send military assist
ance to the Turks on the banks of the Danube
as well as maritime assistance to them in the
channel of the Bosphorns. Maritime assist
ance say we? Assistance that amounts to
absolutely no assistance whatever! Assistance
that if real would have prevented this terrible
catastrophe at Sinope, instead Of allowing the
Turkish sailors there to be slaughtered whole
sale, and Osman Pacha, after most heroic
resistance, to be carried off prisoner to Sebas-
topol, and then sending couple of sneaking
frigates into the Black sea-to carry medical
help to the wounded. and to obtain informa-
Turkey would imply something vastly different.
1t would mean the entrance of the combined
fleets in full force into the Euxine, their reso-
lutte seizure of Sebastopol, the occupation of
the Crimea, the bombardment of Kherson, and
the transmission of military and maritime aid
to Omer Pacha by way of Odessa, and up the
current of the Danube to Braila, and across to
Bucharest. Instead of which we have had the
dropping of French and British anchors in Be
Ska Bay, and afterwards in the waters Of Con-
stantinople. Hence, more than from any lack
of interest in the new reform bill, this sudden
withdrawal of Lord Palmerston from coalition
government"
The Standard takes the view expressed by
the San. Its article on the subject shows that
political rancor and bitterness are not confined
to the press Of the new world. 1t charges
upon the Times with almost insane fury, and
attacks the ministry from which the Home Sec
retary has retired, with severity that is not
altogether amiable. In speaking of the loss
of Viscount Palmerston to the councils Of the
nation, it INDUCES itself in the following un-
complimentary allusion to his late colleagues:
"To suppose that the cabinet of Aberdeen,
Clarendon, Graham, Gladstone, &C., can, for
many days. survive the loss, is to impute to
the people degradation of intellect and taste
below the savages with whom monkeys were
the gods"
With the reasons that may have led to the
retirement of Lord Palmerston, we have nothing
to do. We content ourselves with giving, from
the London journals, their speculations on the
subject, for those of our readers who may feel
curious in the premises. This, however, we
may say, and all the English papers that have
thus far expressed themselves on the subject,
agree, that the cabinet has lost its first states.
man, and its most influential, popular and re-
liable adviser.
GENERAL WOOL.
The warrior deserves much at the hands Of
his countrymen. He fights, he bleeds-often-