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Leader (1850-1860), 31st March 1855, Edition 1 of 2, Page 296, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      waTs'of the enemy ' s fortress , and after our prodigious exhibitions of national brag and . Reform Club after-dinner speech-malting , we are required by Austria to waive the destruction of Sebastopol , and to accept a compromise instead . The alleged terms are these : that the Russian fleet in the Black Sea shall be limited , and that a fortress , in the occupation of England and France , shall be erected on the southern shores of the Black Sea , as a counterbalance to Sebastopol . It is said—for nothing is as yet known—that we are disposed tor accept these

      terms , and that even the French Emperor , who held out for some time against any compromise , is now giving way . As a consequence of this rumour , the continental pro-Russian journals now speak with admiration of " the conciliating disposition" of the Allies . Nevertheless , it appears that , even granting this rumour , we are not sufficiently " conciliating " for Russia , and that she demurs to our very concessions . In this state of things it has been found necessary for the Plenipotentiaries to communicate with their respective governments for further

      instructions . ' X The DaVy News says : " When Prince Gortschakoff withdrew his troops from Siliatria last June , after a . forty days' siege , the Journal de 8 t Petersbourg began to speak of ' the sham siege of Silistria . ' The French Goverment journals have already begun to affirm that the Western Powers are not seeking to destroy Sebastopol . The Constitutionnel writes : — ' The destruction of Sebastopol no longer figures in the number of the stipulations of the Allies relative to

      the Black Sea , for the reason that the siege of which this place has heen the object has never been considered otherwise than a means , and . not as an end , by the Western Powers . What they pursue in common in the Black Sea with their fleet and army is , not the ruin nor the capture of a military port , it is the reduction of the forces which Russia has maintained in these parts—it is the species of domination which she exercised , and the privilege she enjoyed there , to the detriment of all Europe , and , above all , of Turkey . ' "

      The Morning Post , which has given much attention to this subject , affirms that even the First and Second Points have not been accepted , 4- ' but merely acknowledged as to their general bearing . They have yet to be canvassed in all their difficult details ; and this , if ever it be come to , will be a work of many ¦ weeks . " The Globe takes a similar view . Other accounts , however , state that the first two Points have in fact been settled . A letter from Berlin in the BorsenhaUe ( quoted in the Debate of Friday ) states that there still exist some differences between Russia and the Western Powers as to the Second Point . The Allies insist that there should be no fortifications whatever on

      the left bank of the Danube from Rent to Sulina , and that all the Russian military posts should be beyond cannon-range distance from the river . It is also stipulated that the towing-path should be perfectly free—it being difficult to ascend the river withouT'towager - _ . _ ~ — A despatch from Vienna on Thursday ^ says : — " The Conference took the Fourth Point intq consideration to-day . The Third Point is left aside for the present . On Monday Prince Gortschakoff moved for the admission of Prussia . "

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      THE POLICY OF RUSSIA . Cotmr Nessei . kode has issued a circular to the Russian diplomatic agents abroad , touching the new line of policy in connexion with the war . The substance of this document is contained in the ensuing paragraphs : — " With filial piety the Emperor welcomes ( accueille ) in his succession two obligations , which are equally sacred to him . The first exacts from his Majesty the development of all the power which it has pleased God to place hi his hands for the defence of the integrity and

      of the honour of Russia ; the second imposes upon his Majesty the duty of consecrating with perseverance his care for the accomplishment of the work of peace , the bases of which were sanctioned by the Emperor Nicholas . Faithful to the idea which manifested itself in the last dispositions of his august father , the Emperor has renewed the powers and confirmed the instructions with which the Russian Plenipotentiaries were provided since ; he month of December , at the period when tho nego-Jations at Vienna were to be opened . In this manner he intentions of the Emperor Nicholas will be conscionliously fulfilled . There object was : —¦

      " To restore to Russia and to Europe tha blessings of > eaco ; to consolidate the freedom of worship and tho welfare of the Christian populations of tho East without Usfinction of rites ; to place the immunities of tho Prinsipalities under . a collective guarantee ; to assure tho free tavigation of tho Danube , to the advantage of tho comnerce of all nations ; to put an end to tho rivalries of he great Powers in the East , so as to prevent the return > f new complications ; finally , to come to an underlanding with them on the revision of tho treaty by vhjch Joey recognised the principle of tho closing of tho

      Dardanelles and of the Bosphorus , and thereby to arrive at an honourable arrangement for all parties . " The general instructions with which you are provided trace out to you the line you are to continue to follow relative " to th « direct relations you have to entertain with the Government to which you are accredited . The Emperor , in confirming you to-day in the post you obtained from the good-will of his ; august father , confidently counts upon your fidelity and zeal . It is his desirethat by your conduct and by your language you

      , should render testimony , on every occasion , to the loyalty with which Russia fulfils the obligations which rest upon the faith of treaties , to her constant desire to live in good harmony with all the . Powers her allies or friends ; finally , to the respect she entertains for the inviolability of the rights of all States , and her firm resolution to maintain and cause to be respected the rights which DivineProvidence has entrusted to . the Emperor , by making him the guardian and protector of the national honour of his country . "

      A document has been issued by the Synod of the Russian Church , calling the mass of the population to arms in defence of the orthodox faith . The following extracts will show the spirit in whichit is conceived : — " You are aware that the enemies of the cross of Christ have , to the astonishment of the world , found as ^ sistance from two Powers of the West , who , though assuming the name of Christians , and though not having been in any way wronged by Russia , have in their madness carried fire and sword on her territory . Their legions , in imitation of the infidels , have insulted the holy things of our religion .... But , by the will of the Lord , the crime 9 of our enemies have not proved profitable to them ; and their frequent defeats , the terrible tempests of the Black Sea , which

      which swallowed up their vessels , the sickness decimated their armies , proved the action of the powerful hand of God fighting on our side . Notwithstanding all this , our enemies , maddened by the loss of their armies , are now congregating other forces of even a more formidable character ; they are also endeavouring to extend their unjust' alliances , and are preparing for fresh hostilities against the Russian territory . » . . . Pastors of souls , spiritual fathers of the defenders of the Church and of the Thronej by all kinds of prayers and supplications at all times , watch over our flocks ; strengthen them by the power of the divine word ; inspire them with the idea that the present war is a war of the Prince of Darkness , / who resists the kingdom of Christ , and who now puts forth his power in the persons of these wicked children , who rebel against God . "

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      ALEXANDER AND THE RUSSIAN NOBLES . The Constitutionnel publishes a letter from St . Petersburg , dated the 15 th inst ., from which it appears that the late Emperor confided to the nobility the defence of the country by means of militia . The noble . s , accordingly , voted an address to the Emperor , in which they protested their fidelity , their patriotic sehtifnents - &c . - 'This address- reached hinv-on-his death-bed . On the 4 th inst ., the nobles presented another address to the new Emperor , which ran in the following terms : —" Sire , —It has pleased God to summon the late Emperor to eternal life , at the very moment at which all Russia was arming at his order , to defend the faith , the Czar , the country , and its

      fellow-believers in the East—that is to say , all that constitutes our life . In this great moment , the hopes of the country are centred in you , Sire . The faithful nobility of St . Petersburg , having already expressed their sentiments at the first appeal of the deceased Emperor , repeat them now , and respectfully hasten to deposit at the feet of your Majesty a renewed assurance of the unlimited zeal and devotedness with which the 3 are ready to sacrifice their lives and fortunes to realise the great idea of the deceased monarch , who drew the sword to fulfil a holy mission . The nobility consider this mission as a legacy from the late Emperor to them . " The Emperor Alexander replied— " I desired to sec you , in order to transmit to you the

      words of our defunct benefactor , of my father , for ever memorable . He was so weak that he was not able himself to read the expression of your sentiments , and I was charged with that duty . Your zeal , gentlemen , consoled his last moments . After having heard all , he said to me—' Thank them *—thank them sincerely , and toll them that I never doubted of their devotion , and that at present I am more than over persuaded of it / And accordingly now I thank you , gentlemen ; and I am persuaded theso words will be deeply engraven in

      your minds . You are at the head of tho nobles ; transmit what I say to all of them . Times are difficult . I always said to the doccasod Emperor that I firmly bclioved Divino goodness will protect Russia . I hnd hoped for days of joy ; but it has pleased the Almighty to decide otherwise . I am sure of you , gentlemen ; I have ' full hope in you . I am persuaded that tho nobility will prove that they uro a noble class in every senso of the word , and advunccd in everything that is good , fou do not lose courage : I nm with you and you arc

      with me ! Here the Emperor made the sign of the cross , and continued :- — " God be with us ! We will Jiot dishonour the Russian soil . " He then embraced the marshal of the nobility , and said , "In your person I once again thank the nobility ! Adieu , gentlemen—niay God be with you ! " w

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      THE LAST OF THE EMPEROR NICHOLAS . The grave has closed over the Emperor Nicholas , and he now exclusively belongs to history . He was buried on the morning of the 1 lth inst . at the Cathe - dral of Peter and Paul , amid much fuss of cannon , typical of his blatant and murderous career . It is said—by a Russian letter-writer—that the people knelt down while the procession passed , as though they felt themselves in the presence of a deity ; and that they wept bitterly , touched the earth with their foreheads , and made the sign of the cross . The same writer says that " Prayers for divine mercy to the soul of the deceased were offered up in every place of

      worship . " Well , they were needed ; but it seems a strange admission to make with reference to the head of the " Orthodox Church . " However , it appears that , if Nicholas was to be interceded for , he was also to intercede , upon the sailors' principle of " Tie for tie , and d—n all favours . " The deceased Emperor was himself prayed to , to make supplication ( we will spare the reader the familiar blasphemy of the latter part of the sentence ) for the triumph of Russian arms . The people intercede for Nicholas ; Nicholas intercedes for the people . And grateful Alexander thanks the people for past favours , and hopes for a continuance , &c .

      Untitled Article

      CONTINENTAL NOTES . The annexed particulars of the funeral of Don Carlos are contained in a letter from Trieste , dated the 16 th inst .: — " Count de Chambord , wishing to give a last mark of affection for his relative , Don Carlos—an exile like himself—came from Venice to attend the funeral ceremony , and accompanied on foot-the procession from the residence of-the deceased to the-Cathedral of St . Just . As it is the custom in Spain for sons not to appear at the funeral of their father , the three princes , sons of

      Don Carlos , were not present . The whole population were on . foot , and the streets were crowded . Some French and Spanish gentlemen * long attached to the household of the deceased , and a number of Austrian officers in uniformr as j ^ ell as the principal authorities of the town , formed part of the procession . At the cathedral , the Bishop of Trieste officiated ; and , after the religious ceremony had concluded , the body was conveyed to a vault under the altar prepared for its reception by order of the Emperor of Austria . "

      The Opinions of Turin , of the 18 th , states that the committee elected by the Sardinian Senate to report on the Convents' Suppression Bill is rather hostile than otherwise to the measure . Three of the members are opposed , if not to the principle , at least to the details , of the measure ; . one ^ memberisdisposed to vote for it upon certain conditions ; . and the fifth and last alone supports the bill as it stands . The Saxon envoy is said to have stated to the Germanic Diet that the organisation of the Saxon army -will permit it to enter on a campaign within the period of a fortnight assigned by the Diet . Prince Castelcicala , formerly ambassador at London , is appointed Governor of Sicily , Prince Satriano having retired .

      The disgrace of Prince Menschikoff is thought to be more complete than was signified in the first accounts from St . Petersburg ; and it does not appear certain that it was the act of the late Czar . He has been removed , not only from tho command in tho Crimea , but from the post of chief of the naval staff , and from the Governorgeneralship of Finland ; and retains only the titular appointments of aide-de-camp-general and councillor of

      state . Telegraphic news from Nyborg states that the navigation of the Great Belt is now open both towards the south and the north . On the 18 th the first steamer of this year passed down tho Elbe from Gluckstadt to Cuxhaven . There is but little ice now drifting between Elsinore and Helsingborg . M . de Sacy , tho principal editor of the Dcbats , was sent for by the Minister of the Interior last week , and privately admonished on the subject of an article winch lately appeared in that paper , relative to the hostile , demonstrations of the students against tho new professor

      M . do Sainto Bouvo . M . de Sacy p leaded the general moderation of his journal , and the scrupulous caro taken in every department of tho editing to avoid giving offence . As an instance of the habitual caution exercised , he stated that tho editor had erased from the article complained of a statement to tho effect that the feeling among tho young men in tho University was so strong against tho former editor of tho National , that , but for tho intervention of tho public force , it would bo impossible for him to continue his coursei ol lectures . M . IHllault commended tho exercise ot discretion , and added that had tho above statement ( wnicn , by the way , is strictly true ) been printed , tho JJebals

      Untitled Article

      ' ? ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ' 296 THE "LEADER . [ Satubbay ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), March 31, 1855, page 296, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2084/page/8/