The Press. — 1857-11-07 (London, England)

THE PRESS, NOVEMBER 7, 1857.  exaction, of plunder and extortion, and the only acknowledged agent for all purposes was money. Gold could purchase immunity from crime—it exonerated the murdererer, procured immediate pardon for acts of arson and pillage, and justified the violation of domesticity in its most inhuman and savage phases. But purses went to the Seraglio and all was right. Under such a state of things the natural resources of the country gradually diminished, for agriculture was not encouraged, and commerce was obliged to yield its profits to the idle listless Turk. The interference of Austria as a quasi protector was worse than the Ottoman Government, and we are bound to say real and substantial assistance was never found by the Rouman in any other quarter than Russia, and that only under the government of General KISSELEF, between. '29 and '32, who reorganised the provinces for a special purpose. General KISSELEF provided wisely for the wants of the people, redressed grievances, administered the laws, and maintained order. This system contrasted well with Turkish injustice. It may be said that Russia impeded the corn trade of the Danube to unduly exalt the interests of Odessa. Let this be admitted at once; hut on all other points the Russian influence in those seas favoured the well being of the Principalities, and this accounts for her local and secret predumi• wince at the present moment. The demand of the Porte is that the old order of things, or misrule, shall be reinstated, and the desire of the people of the Divan is to be freed from that incubus. A union of the provinces under an independent prince, while yet preserving the sovereignty of the Porte, can alone place them in a permanent state of good government. That, however, would not consort with the policy of Austria, which can only prosper through and by MoldoWallachian insecurity and Moldo-Wallachian disaffection. Besides, it is well known that the Czar NicuoLAs, in a friendly admonition to the Emperor FitaNcis JOSEPH, remarked that a possible loss of territory in Italy might be compensated in the East. This is the real motive that actuates Austria, and the prospect of a stable establishment of the Principalities is adverse to the contingency of the future.  The reception of the Duke of CAMBRIDGE in the City, and the important ceremony which marked the occasion of the appearance of kis Royal Highness, are among the prominent events of the week. The Duke of CAMBRIDGE enjoys a well-deserved popularity, and the reception accorded his Royal Highness on Wednesday was worthy his reputation. A soldier " bred and born," and holding the high position of Commander in-Chief of the British Army, great weight is attached to the opinion of the Duke upon the condition and necessities of the British army; and it is with some degree of satisfaction that we observe his Royal Highness never fails to impress upon the public at this particular and favourable period the vast importance of preserving that army ever in a state of the highest efficiency-, prepared for emergencies, and with " something to spare." We are not among the last to recognise the value of this policy ; but when his Royal Highness ventures to condemn the reductions of last spring, we think he does but scant justice to the conduct of the Opposition in the House of Commons. At the commencement of last spring peace was concluded and friendly relations resumed by us with all the great Powers of Europe except the King of NAPLES ; and he was scarcely of sufficient importance for our maintaining an army on a war footing. What object, then, had we in maintaining a powerful army at Aldershott? The best proof that no sound object existed is the readiness with which Ministers cut down the Estimates ; for if from information from Calcutta they were aware of the critical nature of our position in India, and of the importance of our maintaining a powerful army in hand ready for any contingency, and, by cutting down the Esti• mates to secure their places, sacrificed the interests of the country, what a position must theirs be ! It was not only the duty of the Conservative Opposition at that period to insist on retrenchment and economy, but it was the true policy of the country to reduce its vast military expenditure and husband its resources ; and indirectly blaming the Opposition for their conduct at that period, is manifestly unjust. The Conservative party, his Royal Highness must be aware, is never illiberal in its sanction of the public expenditure for legitimate purposes.  The despatch of Sir WILLIAM GORE OUSELEY to settle the vexatious Central American question is satisfactory. From the high abilities of Sir