Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-07-31
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES CONCERNING

THE VIENNA CONFERENCE.
Some very extraordinary disclosures respecting the
unexpected result Of the Vienna Conference, were
made in course Of a debate which took place in the
British House Of Commons on the 9th of July. Mr.
Gibson asked for explanations Of the views entertain
ed by the ministers with regard to those conferences.
us demanded 10 DO informed what were the present
objects of the war, and what they proposed to nc
complish by the shedding Of 40 much blood, and the
wasting Of so much treasure. He said there was q
division in the ministry on ;he war question, and that
il the Austrian ministers circular could be relied up
on, while Lord Palmerston Was stating that the war
would be carried on with vigor, Lord John Russell
was eudeavoripg to bring about peace He thought
there was some concealed object, and that il the ex-
pediion against Sebastopol failed, il would bring dis
sraoe upon those who planned it. Sir james Graham
stated that Louis Napoleon had been willing to ac-
cept the compromise of the third point proposed by
Austria, and that consequently the responsibility Of
continuing the war, rested exclusively upon the Bril-
fish ministry, and upon the war party In thht minis
try. ct the head of which was Lord Pal!nerston.
Lord John Russell denied the assertion that one OF
the objects Of the war had been to restore Poland
and Hungary to independence. They had never
Soup.enanced any such idea. He admitted that he
had been in favor Of the Austrian proposal with re-
gard 10 tho only matter unsettled, the third point req
ppcting the limitation Of tho power OF Russia IN the
BLACK Sea, and had promised the Austrian and French
ministers 10 use his best endeavors towards prevail
ing upon the British government TO accept it. Those
efforts, TO his great disappointment and that Of the
public, had fu;lcd. He said he might have been
wrong, but be regarded it rs a public dnty, to con-
,inue to hold office, Notwithstanding his differing
with his colleagues in relation TO tins vital point.
M. Cobdeu said Lord John Russelrs speech was
ore OF the most extraordinary he had ever heard in
that House. Why had he not stated long ago, his
views Of tho Austrian proposal anu iHs difference
with his colleagues He had lost his character for
consistency by retaining office under such circum-
etencee. lie had forfeited the confidence ofthe pco-
pl. by bis conduct, AMI struck at the very i"undn-
ion OF all trust in public mon, making a farce OF their
system of representative governn mt. He also de-
maudeI the object of continuing the war. saying
Ina: the ministers had not told them, aud asked the
people Ii they would permit them ~ dr!t on Ill 30
destructive a course. Dlsraeli and several other
members Of motto also spoke in the same strain, and
reproached Lord John Russell with his meanness
end inconsistency, i'll remaining u member OF a war
government, when he was u decided advocate oil
psace and had done hs best TO bring it about.
The whole story which before vas only a matter OF
vogue, rumor aud disbeli.ved by mauy, is now
brought out in all its breadth. 1t shows that Eu.
rops mas had II very narrow escape from peace, and
mat soe continuance OF the war has boon. resolved
upon oy q portion Of the British ministry, upon ex.
tremely frivolous and insufficient groun6r. They
lind themselves unable to assign any specific reason
Tor lis continuance, and meet the Indignant INQUIRIES
In Parliament with an obstinate silence. 1t is certain
now that me treich minister accepted the Austrian
settlement of the third point, that the French Empe.
TOR accepted 1t subject 10 the assent of Great Bri,ain-
mat Inc DFitisn pichlpotehtiary Lord John Russell,
accepted It; In tact that all the powers and parties
interested had virtually accepted it, except n certain
portion of the English ministry who decided Ia r,;cr,
Il, aud thus took upon themselves the exclusive re-.
sporsibility Of continuing the war. For several weeks
Lord john Russell had maintained II logged silence
ond refused to answer the questions put to him re-.
speeding his course at Vienna. While the allies were
Haining their ,riumphs in the Sea of Azuf and victory
seemed to perch upon their banners, Lord John was
afraid the: the avowal Of his efforts 10 bring about
peace, might ruin his character for sagacity. Blu,
sinoe the disgraceful repulse of the allied armies be-
fore Sebsstopol has made it safe 10 speak out, be nov
with no disguised air Of triumph. comes out with III!
whole truth. He tells the British how near, througl
bis efforts, they had been to peace, and on what Sigh
grounds, through the folly of others, they fell short o
i. Since the slaughter Of the forces in front Of th'
Maloloh, he pluues himself on his forecast and su
perior sagacity, and seems to say to his %lninisteria
colleagues, "there, you sse now into what q scrap,
you have led the country, and what a sound and de
served tarashing you have got in consequence Of no
}ectipg my odvIce."
In The despatch which was issued, shortly after tn,
publication Of tho twelfth Conference, BY Coun
bqol, the Austrian Minister. to the Western Courts
be stated
"If since the outbreak Of hos.lities, there was au,
sps nousut when more than At another the rsstors