The Sun. — 1856-01-16 (London, England)

THE SUN. LON DON, WEDNESDAY EVEN I NG, JANUARY 16, 1856.  vestigatien. It is due to our ♦llies—to the people of Great Britain—but pre-eminently so to Lord STRATFORD himself. Whatever may be the faults of " Red-tapism," or " the system"— the general scapegoat for every error and every mistake—they could not justify or even extenuate so grave a dereliction from duty. An inquiry must therefore take place, in which we hope aid believe Lord STRATFORD nay be able completely to justify himself, and to show that there are no private causes which led to what must be regarded as a very grievous national calamity.  Between low cunning and astute unscrupulosity, as between the latter and sterling wisdom, the difference is immense. The former not unfrequently gains its object by reprehensible means, but quite as often perils the possession of it by the sheerest folly and recklessness. The latter attains its object not less reprehensibly, but takes special care not to hazard by folly what it has obtained by crime ; while it is the policy of sterling wisdom to secure by just means what it has equitably acquired. Which of the three best describes the policy of Austria in relation to the Principalities ?  Moldavia and Wallachia don't belong to Austria ; let there be no mistake about that. To be sure the reminder is unnecessary, for to the cheek of what intelligent Englishman does not the mention of these Provinces raise a blush ? But Moldavia and Wallachia are in the possession of Austria. How does this come to pass ? By what means was it that Austria got possession of them ? By a wise policy ? The reader laughs. Well, then, by an astute unscrupulosity, or low cunning and dissimulation ? Let us employ the test and see. How has Austria conducted herself in the Principalities since she got possession of them ? Remember she came as a protector, and not without shrewd suspicion of a desire to be something more, or, if the reader prefer it, something less. The unfortunate Moldavians and Wallachiaus had suffered from the Russian army of occupation, and anticipated relief from the oppression to which they had been subjected. Nothing can be more obvious than the line of policy which a judicious regard for her own interests, to say nothing of the interests of the Allied Powers, called upon her to adopt. Only by a policy of conciliation and firmness could she reasonably hope to secure a permanent footing on territories she had entered by means of guile, and at no period could a better opportunity for adopting such a policy with perfect success have been found. How has Austria conducted herself in the Principalities from the hour of her entry to the present ? The habitual readers o f The Sun will find no difficulty in returning an indisputable reply. We have told how, up to the hour of telling, again and again ; and now, pointing to a column and a-half of news, headed " The Danubian Principalities," in our present impression, we say " That's how !" "Badly," doubtless thinks the reader, " but not so badly as Russia." About as badly as possible, very much worse than Russia, though without and the slightest excuse. Russia did not put the entire population to the sword, nor hand them over a prey to famine and pestilence—neither has she. Russia carried matters with a high band, but Russia did not suffer her soldiery systematically to pillage and outrage the inhabitants, sword in hand, and if they offered resistance to butcher them. But this is what Austria has done. Wherever Austria has had troepj in the Principalities there the cry of pity, the shriek for aid, the burning glance of indignation, and the fruitless inquisition for blood, have witnessed to their brutality and to the villany of their employer. Insult, violation, robbery, murder, these are the pastimes of the Austrian soldier in the Principalities ! Low cunning, astute unscrupulosity, or sterling wisdom, which ? Out on the inhuman dastard and her vile arts ! Wisdom, ordinary discretion, humanity, forbearance, are plummets over her ; and so long as she is suffered to remain in the Principalities, which there can be no doubt she wishes to keep, so long will the inhabitants have cause to execrate before GOD and man the mistaken policy that handed them over to the tyranny of such an oppressor ! The language may be strong—but read and see if there i s not cause.