The Sun. — 1831-07-29 (London, England)

JULY 18.—In consequence of the action at Minsk, a detachment of the enemy in Siennitza is said to be cut off. Six hundred and eighty-three Russian FriBoners, taken by General Chrzanowski, arrived at Warsaw the day before yesterday. Our troops are said to have occupied Polzk and Ulawa, and General Sierawski to have taken 2,000 prisoners and sevem cannon. The Russian General, Knormy, is said to be killed. General Pahlen's corps has arrived at Lipno; it consists of twelve regiments of infantry, each of two battalions, three regiments of cavalry, and seventy-two cannon. The Warsaw Courier says—" News has been received that the enemy will go to the provinces of Kalisch before they approach Warsaw." Our papers say that Field-Marshal Paskewitsch has set at liberty several wounded Polish officers, who were made prisoners at Ostrolenka, on giving their parole to take no part in the war.  It is now quite clear that nothing will have any influence on the factious opponents of the Reform Bill, but some prompt and spirited demonstration on the part of the people. As for argument, or appeals to their good sense, it is wholly thrown away upon the crew ; they are  inaccessible to reason, they are to be reached only through their apprehensions. Last nigh in consequence of their vexatious and, we wi add, unprincipled and unjustifiable opposition, only six boroughs in schedule B were disposed of, though the House went into Committee at six, and did not adjourn till near three o'clock. This dilatory method of proceeding drew forth some very pertinent and energetic comments from Colonel DAVIES, who plainly told Government that if they did not make greater exertions, the country itself would interfere to hasten the progress of the Bill. The Hon. and Gallant Member  was replied to, not by the Ministers, but—prop pudor !—by Lord PORCHESTER and Mr. CROKER, both of whom took up the defence of Government. And wisely too. Delay to their party is in itself a triumph ; and if' the Reformers do not interfere to prevent it, they are committing suicide on their own principles, and furthering the views of the faction. But the country, which, at least, is in earnest, will bear to be cajoled no longer. Though it has full confidence in the integrity of Ministers, it is somewhat impatient of their want of spirit. It is of opinion that as they are so well seconded, they ought to make a better stand-up fight, if only in compliment to the zeal and prowess of their backers. Meetings are therefore in progress in many parts of the kingdom, with a view to see what can be done to expedite the progress of the Bill. Birmingham, as usual, is first in the field; the city of London will follow, and in a few days the stir will become general. This, if nothing else, will bring the Opposition to their senses. Even the Merry-Andrew will cease his antics, and the Talking Potatoe his Irish howl, when they perceive that the people will no longer be cajoled by their buffooneries. We wish all the Ministers would act with the same spirit and firmness that Mr. STANLEY displayed last night. This Hon. Member flagellated the " poor old gentleman" of Boroughbridge with an energy that would have done credit to a six-foot drummer. He gate him four dozen in the finest style possible, for which the ex-ultra Attorney-General showed his gratitude, by abusing his flagellator in a manner which would have done credit to St. Luke's. But there is no pleasing some people. Besides, spleen is Sir CHARLES WETHERELL'S inspiration ; deprive him of the privilege of finding fault ; restrict him to argument instead of to abuse ; compel him to be rational instead of frantic ; and you at once destroy his power, for his strength, like that of the Python, is derived solely from mud. We return to the subject from which the mention of this eccentric statesman has diverted us. The object of the Opposition is avowedly delay ; that of the Ministers, is, or should be, dispatch. The former well know that great events are on the lapis throughout Europe ; that the Chapter of Accidents is more than ever in their favour ; and that circumstances may ere long arise on the Continent, which may draw off the attention of the people from Reform. This, we have reason to believe, is the secret of their present tactics. But they will be most egregiously mistaken. Reform has taken such complete possession of the people's minds, that though the continent were in a state of convulsion from one end to the other ; though CHARLES the Tenth were restored to Paris ; Prussia and Austria triumphant over all opposition ; and NICHOLAS at the gates of Warsaw—still nothing would be thought of, nothing dreamed of, but Reform. Englishmen are proverbially men of one idea, and Reform is the one which now absorbs their attention to the exclusion of every thing else. They have set their hearts on it, and will have  it. It is a feast to which they have been in. vited, and delay has only acted as a whet to their appetite. Reform or revolution ! That now is the desperate alternative. And are the people to be compelled to have recourse to this last sad alternative, because an unblushing, unprincipled Opposition, chooses to set their faces against all conciliation ? Is trade to languish because a Merry- Andrew chosen to make long speeches, or a Joseph Surface to praise himself and profess moderation ? We hope not, and the country, we know, will cordially echo our wish.  Every hour but confirms our expressed opinion  that the King of the FRENCH must take a decided line of policy in favour of Poland. The people of France are unanimous on this point, so intimately connected with the maintenance of their national honour. It now appears that there has been a good deal of unroyal juggling in the management of the French KING'S Speech, and too much respect shown to Pozzo Di Bortuo, the Russian Ambassador, who looks a perfect bug-bear in the eyes of Louis