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854 THE LEADER. [Saturday ,
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THE PROPOSED TREATY BETWEEN RUSSIA AND T...
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¦ THE GOVERNING CLASSES'. No. L—JLIUL IM...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The Manufacture Of Accidents. The " Grea...
gleet of personal comfort . But this is a mistake . That ¦ young man who died in the country , among his friends , was done to death by a churchwarden in town , who kept open a graveyard near his lodgings . The eminent builder , Smith , was the person ; who killed the young lady said to hay © died of consumption ; lie . artfully , composed a draught through a passage , which whistled her down the Dance of Death in a few months . Our statistics should be therefore revised , and credit should be given where credit is due . The Legislature also joiu in the manufacture of accidents . Their laws and resolutions are
generally passed according to chance coincidences of time and men . A cab running over Mr . Gladstone one evening would have got us the Malttax condemned , but , as the cab did not chance to do so , we still buy dear ale . Some Whig gentlemen stayed too long at dinner one day , and the Salt-tax in India was repealed , but some Tory lords had colds , on another evening , and it was put on again . Had the Liberal gentlemen of a certain club in Palace-yard not been drowsy towards four o ' clock in the morning , Mr . Stafford would , ere now , have been convicted . Greater
than all these , a chance fit of indigestion , which attacked Mr . Hayter , and prevented his usual agility in keeping his men together , led to the ten months reign of Disraeli . But the law of the land constructs accidental penalties , with the same airy disregard of rule . Our friend , the intelligent foreigner , observes an offence committed by a railroad company . The head officers put in a train at the wrong time , and it dashes into a coal-wagon . The breach of discipline being indefensible : but there is no penalty . Another offence is committed : through
some trivial tardiness one train is jammed against another , all the accident but the first step being unavoidable . A severe penalty is imposed . On asking . the rule for the penalties , the discerning stranger discovers that there is no rule : they are accidental . If a " rich merchant happen to be injured in the train , the penalty is imposed ; if , by good luck , no one _ is wounded , the offenders escape . The bad intent , the criminal neglect , the disgraceful dereliction of duty , are unpunished , but the chance rtsult brings down a chance chastisement . Another just distinction is made . If the murdered man be rich the
murderers are severely punished ; if he be poor they are let off easily . This is a good imitation of that fine old Saxon law , which made it high crime to insult a baron , and potty misdemeanour to kill a clown .
854 The Leader. [Saturday ,
854 THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,
The Proposed Treaty Between Russia And T...
THE PROPOSED TREATY BETWEEN RUSSIA AND TURKEY . ( To the Editor of the Leader . ) Sib , —Notwithstanding the many affirmations of ministerial organs , Turkey has appeared singularly disinclined to accept tho " honourable" conditions of peace graciously proffered by the Western Powers . From time to time , and at all times , it has been asserted that the honour of the Porte could not rest in more untainted palms than those which now Boil it , and that the integrity of Turkey could only bo maintained by
those who havo wmked at its infringement . European diplomacy , substituted for the military arguments of tho Mussulman , has wrought ; nothing but ruin and engendered nothing but disgrace . Tho peaceful attitude of Abdul Medjid , induced by the promises of . Europe-, and the request of tho ambassadors of tho Western Powers that the invasion of tho Danubian Principalities should not bo regarded as a casus belli , has occasioned effects deplorable enough to
Turkey , injurious enough to Moldavia and Wallaohia , and shameful enough to entire cultivated . Europe . Tho Porto distrusts his allies as much as he fears his enemies . Tho unpalatable " conditions of disgrace" lie has endeavoured to render one shade loss blatant , mid for this the Western Powers will not only " not be responsible , " but hint at . a . proximate ; desertion of the failing cause . Let us , sir , take a . glance a , I . the principle and the negotiations .
In the first moment of tho second phase of these premonitory negotiations , when , in s pite of his previous deolaration , Prince IVlensehilcofl delivered a second ultimatum to the Porto , tho British press downed no language too severe , and no strictures too violent in stigmatising this eonduet as a gross breach of" public faith , and as an injurious and dishonourable proceeding , for ever damnatory of all imperial pretensions to
uprightness and moderation . But what was more important still , the claims presented were declared insulting to the dignity of the Porte , at the same time that they were destructive to the independence of the Ottoman power . Encouraged by such assurances Abdul Medjid refused to gran t concessions which . Europe held to be angerous , and unprecedented in the modern annals of nations . Princs MenschikofF retired , and the Russian army advanced across the Pruttt . Europe , which in the first instance intimated its opinions so haughtily , had been gradually modifying them . From the moment it was seen that
Russia was determined , Europe had grown gradually more humble , and had ended by becoming utterly and shamefully confused . While the threats of the Russian ambassador supported by the movements of troops in Bessarabia , the collection of materiel on the frontiers , and the rigorous impressment of recruits , were still ringing in their ears , the European Powers hurled with ludicrous and shameful precipitancy proposition upon proposition after the retreating Ambassador . In none of these were stipulations made concerning what was known to be inevitable . The Porte had all control snatched out
of his hands , and was nearly stifled beneath the weight of superincumbent protocols . The heavens rained diplomatic papers , each more ill considered and less perspicuous than the last . This Europe , which had right clearly on its side , and which had been outraged and injured in its every commercial and political relation , hastened , like a blind judge , to the criminal dock , and placed itself where the criminal should have stood . One of these precipitous propositions , agreed upon ere the Russian troops had crossed the Pruth , was eagerly accepted by the Czar , almost ere the echo of Clarendon ' s famous declaration had ceased to tickle the ears of his
gaping auditory ; and Europe , which had demanded no guarantees for the future , which had required no apology for the past , saw itself , and knows itself , compromised and disgraced . The same Ministers who now demand the assent of the Porte to this infamous agreement , know full well that it differs in no essential respects from Prince Menschikoff ' s ultimatum . They also are aware that their own representations against the invasion and the unauthorised assumption of the Government of Moldavia and Wallachia must ere this have reached the Autocrat ; and they know , too , that their declaration , that " no arrangement would bo satisfactory which did not include the evacuation of the
Danubian Principalities , " is not only upon record against them here , but is on its way both to Constantinople and St . Petersburg . Is it then possible , in the face of these various diplomatic papers and declarations , that the Western Powers , especially England , can coerce tho P , orte to accept an agreement which contains no stipulations for those very points which have been deemed so important as to demand , not only special protests and most vigorous reprehension , but also studied declarations in both Houses of Parliament , and prominent announcement in the official organs of the Governments P If theao points were not
important , if they wore not , as announced , infringements of the public law of Europe , and attacks upon the sovereignty of the Porto , why protest against them as such ? and if they wero all this , Avliy , in tho name of common senso , reason , honour , or consistency , conclude arrangements which make no provision for them , and why force those arrangements upon a reluctant , an aggrieved , and an outraged ally P There can 1 ) 0 no deception in this matter ; tho treaty has been published , and it contains not one of these stipulations ; how , then , in the name of common honesty , is it " satisfactory , " and why is it upheld V
The Porte , dismayed at tlio train of fearful consequences this treaty threat-ens , has made , Home verbal alterations , , doomed by courtesy trilling , and which , indeed , are not Imlf so important as they seem . The principle which Abdul Medjid has ' kept ; in view has been the non-recognition of the Christian population other than as subject to the Ottoman power . Tho verbal alterations have amounted only to inserting Hueli necessary emendations as sullieed to effect ; this , and to show that the Sultan had " accorded , " not " conceded , " indulgences to tho Greek communities . This piny upon words , and tho foundation of the privileges placed upon tho eunio looting us tho other Clu-intitui sects , instead
of " upon that of the most favoured nation , " ar the only alterations of any consequence proposed The Note is directed to the Emperor of Russia instead of to the Four Powers ; and since the pri ' vileges ar \ d immunities of the Greek church , ar * specially alluded to , and the concessions made to that church reiterated , the protectorate and . in tervention . of the Czar receive as complete re " cognition and authorization aa could be conferred upon them . The privileges are not guaran teed in common to all the Powers , and to all sects , thence the Emperor of Russia has obtained even
more than he expected , and more than he had dared to hope . The European Powers are again and most effectually , isolated from the question In so far as regards the European population of Turkey , Russia could have made no deeper impression without the actual and permanent incorporation of entire Turkey in . Europe . Not one peasant in ten thousand will read this Conventi on nor , should he do so , will know the slight verbal modifications effected in it : were . he , indeed
even aware of them , he could not understand their refined finesse ; and did he understand it , it could prove nothing to him except the weakness that it was intended to disguise , Russia , onthe other hand , has invaded Turkey , shaken her bare sword in the face of scared and crouching Europe , and re-crosses the Pruth , perhaps , if it so please her . And this with her colours flying , her aggression crowned with victory , and the shameless buzz of self-felicitating diplomatists caressing her ears .
But it is even said , Sir , so lofty is Russia ' s position now , that Nicholas may reject the alterations proposed by the Sublime Porte ! Certainly , the bare admittance of such a supposition would justify him in doing so . Our poltroonery appears to know no limits . It is said too , that the ill-judged opposition of the Porte aggravates the paralysis of trade , and the Ottoman Government is bitterly attacked for not
accepting the disgraceful solution we should blush to propose . I have shown , Sir , I hope , how little the Government of Turkey is to blame in these transactions , and how little we should plume ourselves upon our own part in them . But the paralyzation of trade , which everybody understands is due to Russia only , will never cease so long as the savages from the North are encamped upon the banks of the Danube , and no stipulation has been made for their removal . The last
telegraphic advices state that " the newspapers the Principalities have been expressly forbidden to make mention of the movement of troops , and the merchants have been informed that they must not , in their commercial correspondence , make any mention of military matters . " iJocs this look like honesty of purpose or intention . And does the telegraphic announcement , that more Russian troops have just crossed the Pri # ' tally with the statement from Bucharest of tUo proximate evacuation of tho Provinces f I * not pretend to fathom what no ono else can . foretell , and Russia is permitted to be inscrutable . Wo dare not ask her intentions '; she docs not condescend of her own free will to lutorn
us what they are . Wero sho a weaker powei . our reclamations would spoodily enforce fin explicit statement ; sho being strong , w , o arc j course necessarily silent , and submit to every ou rage , uncertainty , and wrong . Tho ' ? ^ annals of tho Coalition will remain a warning i future statesmen . It will bo seen that wnt ^ civilization was polito and timid , barbarism impudent and bold . Our civilization has ^ our weakness , where it should have ln ; en strength , and our commerce has made us (! . ' , ! The niv in tliiolr with temnests yet ; thin ¦
cossful brigandage adds one dark clou" J ^^ j and the storm which is slowly gathering 1 us will burst with no loss fury wcauflo wo ^ strengthened one of its elements . - A 1 '
¦ The Governing Classes'. No. L—Jliul Im...
¦ THE GOVERNING CLASSES' . No . L—JLIUL IMilNOJS Ai'M'W * 1 'V iri u grout ; advantage- to im Eng lish politiciu" >" ^ l ) o an MngliHhini ' iii . A true p hilosop hy ( ' ""| () Ilt . patriot ; for patriotism , if your country in > ' ' ()( . w only parodiiality . A cosmopolitan ! i « « * 'Illir"J ^| ll , of ofton attained ; for to tho ofchor roqniwto ncc «< <» ^ birth , various nu ; o on paternal and on i »«| ¦<> ^ . |] , and ( losunit upon aland which in tho lm >< l i ««> fcll 0 ^_ ^ - — 'f \( , iiljil " ' * II ; in pronoHod to follow , uh nonrly «» ''VruitH ' ' bolicul oi-cW in tho proponed selection ot P "
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 3, 1853, page 14, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_03091853/page/14/
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