New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-07
JUDGMENT OF THE cnI,IEAN COURT.

II is now several months since the motion Of
Mr.. Roebuck for an inquiry into the causes Of
the Crimean disasters fell IKE a shell iotO the
Ministerial camp of England, scattering 10 tor
ror of its approach the Aberdeen Government,
disOrganiziDg Immediately afterward the Mn-
istry thrown up in its place by driving the
Peelte contingent from its ranks, aud compel
ling Lord PalmerstOn to erect that fabric Of
pure and c, olusiyey Wing material over which
be now presdes. At the hour of the birth Of
this Sevastopol Committee it may be remem-
bered that we distinctly predicted, from soma
knowledge of its composition, that every effort
would be used to throw confusion and
difficulty around its action and give to
its labors a weak and insipd result.
If it had the advantage, as we then remarked, Of
the keen and searching inquisityeness of Roe
buck, and the vigorous untiring toll Of Layard,
it had to contend with a majority directed by
the sbOrious aristocratic predictions of Lord
Seymour and the cunning craft Of the Righ!
Hon. Edward Ellice, determined at all hazards
to screen from punishment the prit Of native
and noble birth. The trial has been long and
weary one, rivaliDg in amplitude of occupation
and meagreness Of result that celebrated inVes-
tigatiOD conducted in our own City by che illus
trious Briggs. Indeed amid the din of war
and collision of hostile armies its existence and
embarrassments had been almost forgotten,
until it again aroused the public attention by
appearing at the bar of the British House Of
Commons and having its verdict read amid, as
We are informed, silent and profound sensa-
ton. That verdict justides our prediction that
the sristocratic prisoners would, to use our
former worcs, "be permitted, notwithstanding
"the vigorous search and dauntless decision Of
" Lsyard to escape with a sweet correction or
"eyen faint praise"
The SevastopOl Committee has distinctly
failed, n the very ysluminous report which
occupies a whole side Of the London Press, to
carry out the objects It's Parliamentary founders
OR. Roebuck and Mr. Lsyard) aud It's numerous
out-ofdoor supporters had in view. This mas
arisen not from any yacllation, corruption or
uncertainty on the port Of its vigorous popular
conductors, but partly from the strong, however
coyertly concealed, opposition to its purpose Of
majority of the Committee; partly becauset
was in its nature and compass unequal to the
Accomplishment Of the objects proposed. Wit
nesses whose evidence might have brought hghs
out Of some Of the darkest spots Of iOqap
were, as stated By the Committee in the pre-
lude Of their report, either purposely or uni'
yoidably placed out of reach. Those whom
they had under examination, including several
ex-Cabinet Ministers OF the Home, and eI'
Generals Of the Foreign Department, shifted
the pea of responsibility to and fro with snca
easy dexterity that it was impossible to guess
under which thimble it lay
In this confusion many doubtless have escaped
through the aid of friends on the Jury. Bis
though the report is enfeebled by prolxiy eA
culpatory episode, and timid phraseology' Sna
though an angry dove could not peck its m'''
with more tender violence than does this Con'
mittee reproye the shortcomings OF the ai''
tOcracy it was imPanneled to try 'tus 5ns cav