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Leader (1850-1860), 30th July 1853, Edition Town of 2, Page 728, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      proof of the moderation of the system it has adopted since the commencement of this affair . It abstains from ' any hostile act , but it declares that it in no manner eonsents to the entrance , from , time to time , of troops into the provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia , which ore integral parts of the Ottoman Empire , regarding them as a house without a master . " It protests , therefore , formally and openly , against that act ; and , in the conviction that the Powers that signed the treaty of 1841 would not give their consent to such an aggression , it has given them an explanation of the circumstances , and meantime maintains an armed

      attitude for its defence . " In conclusion , it repeats that his Majesty the Sultan is always desirous of meeting any founded reclamation of the Court of Russia , of which he has already given proof more than once , and is ready to redress any grievance concerning religious affairs of which his Greek subjects might have canse to complain ; that that reparation has been made as regards the Holy Places ; that that question has been solved to the satisfaction of Russia ; and that the JSublime Porte does not hesitate to offer moire explicit assurances to confirm the arrangement which has been made to the satisfaction of all parties . " Constantinople , 2 ( 14 ) July , 1853 ( 8 Cherval , 1296 . " )

      The ministerial journal of Prussia , in a recent article on the Turkish question , contrasts the passive . attitude of the Western powers , content with refuting the notes of Count Nesselrode , with the active and aggressive position of Russia , and expresses a hope that Russia will be content with the immense " moral triumph" she has already gained . " Russia has proved , " says the Zeit , " that she can do what she will . " The independent Prussian journals , if any can be called independent , have been ordered to be less severe upon Russia , in discussing the Eastern question .

      There remains no doubt that both Austria and Prussia , however jealous of their Great Protector , are more afraid than jealous . Their dread of the probable revolutionary consequences of a European war , compels them to make all possible efforts to indece Turkey to yield . It is , therefore , simply ridiculous to talk of a common accord of the two German powers with France and England . Such an accord can only result in the utter humiliation of Turkey , and the absolute triumph of the Czar . While our Black Sea fleet is fretting at its anchors in Besika Bay , our Baltic fleet is preparing to amuse the Court at Spithead , A more splendid national . / ete than a naval review by Her Majesty at Spithead , can scarcely be imagined . But we think it right to say , that the Baltic , as well as the Black Sea , may soon demand all the vigilance of Downing-street , and all the resources of the Admiralty .

      " Some time ago , " says the 8 pe . uer Gazette , of Berlin , " The Russian Government prohibited the exportation of wheat and straw from Finland , and allowed the importation of them . It was at first believed that this measure was taken on account of the bad state of the crops in Finland , but we now learn that it was adopted because Russia intends to send an army of between 25 , 000 and 30 , 000 men into that province . This version is generally credited in Sweden , and it is easy to conceive that great importance is there attached to it . Sweden is the sole independent maritime power in the Baltic , and she alone can neutralize the pressure which Russia exercises on Denmark . The Baltic is of as much importance to Russia as the Black Sea ; and if Austria is called on to protect the interests of Germany in the Black Sea , Prussia should protect them in the Baltic . "

      But Austria and Prussia , as wo have said , are not in a position to do either the one or the other . It remains for England and France to act , unless it be indeed true , that we are omnipotent on the seas on condition of being impotent ! The Baltic fleet of Russia , consisting of thirty-seven sail , left Cronstadt in the morning of the loth , to manoeuvre in the Gulf of Finland . The Hereditary Grand Duke inspected it previous to its departure . British seamen ( says a correspondent of the Times ) who have had an opportunity of making a nearor acquaintance with these vessels than merely passing by thorn whilst they lie imposingly at anchor , speak very disrespectfully of their seaworthiness and the talenta of Russian sailors in

      handling their ships . It seema that tho greater part of tho veaeels are older than deal-built ships can generally be kept water-tight , and that the slightest approach to rough weather compels n very numerous and strenuous attendance of hands at tho pumps . Jack nays they daren't put out to eea even in fair weather , for fear it should turn foul before they can got back into port . Tho Russian sailors aro admitted , however , to bo good gunners . Tho united Swedish , Norwegian , and Danish squadron , consisting of six ships of war , was soon on tho 10 th inst . from Oxoo , in Norway , steering in tho direction of Flok-Ireroo .

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      Wo havo referred in another place to tho rocent coup d'dtat accomplished by Russian influence in Denmark . This is tho end of tho " pacification" so loudly vaunted by our Foreign Office in tho days of Lord Palmorston and of Lord Malmosbury alike . Tho game is now in tho hands of Russia . On tho 10 th instant , when tho Danish Parliament waa prorogued , Denmark ceased to bo a constitutional kingdom . On tho table of tho House was laid tt Bo-called " sketch of a ground law for tho kingdom of Denmark , in so far as its own ad ' airo ' '' concerned . " >

      Huh document doofl away at ono blow with every shadow of constitutional right in that country . Tho right of solf-taxation is abolished . Tho proflont froo eloctorallaw is abolished , and a now ono , it in announced , will bo octroyod . TIio liberty of tho proHs is abolished . Jjrnouom of trade is abolished , and the hutoful and denlruotivo system of oloso guilds reestablished . Tho froo corno-* 5 tl 0 n la ^ is extinguished . The contemplated introduction of tml by jury , Bolomnlv guaranteed by tho conatitution , ia

      done away with . The independence of the law courts and separation from the Executive is annulled . The promised organization of the Danish church by a free Synod , in connexion with a free Parliament , is revoked , and the Danish State Church will remain a police machine in the hands of a Minister of Public W orship . The Diet shall only asse mble every second year , not annually , asheretofore . The finance-law shall be passed for two years . Lastly , this new act will not be submitted to the present Danish Parliament for its sanction , although it has been again and again solemnly promised that any alteration required by the whole-state legislation should b e laid before the legal assemblies . The whole is octroyed . It will immediately become law , and the pre sent constitution ceases to exist , as soon as the whole-state arrangements are proclaimed by the sole authority of the king .

      Thus the future Government of this country is now ascertained . There will be a common representation , fixed by the King , in which the people will , of course , have scarcely any power . This will . legislate for the " whole monarchy , " under the omnipotent authority of a nearly absolute Sovereign . We have briefly treated the question of the Danish succession , and the recent treaty of London in a separate paper . It was for its determined refusal to assent to thia treaty that the Danish Parliament was repeatedly dis solved . The-Danish patriots are said to have attached an undue importance to the possible dangers from Russia , but Lord Clarendon only so recently as May last gives a different account to the question . He thinks that mature reflection the will be convinced

      on patriotic party that the treaty of May 8 th , instead of increasing these dangers , removes them , by making the Danish succession an European question , which , in the event of the male descendants of the Prince and Princess of GJucksburg becoming extinct , would have to be laid before all the Powers who signed that treaty , for discussion . Should the King of Denmark , to whom the initiative is reserved in case the above-mentioned eventuality should come to pass , which God forbid , find himself in a dangerous degree of dependence on Russia , it is not to be supposed that England , France , and the other contracting Powers will find themselves so under the dominion of such an influence as to be disposed to acknowledge a Russian succession to the Danish throne , or one exclusively in Russian interest . " It is not , therefore , in the Black Sea only that the Western Powers will have to meet Russia . Singularly apropos , the ^ Austrian Lloyd asserts that the Cabinets of St . James ' s and Copenhagen are in active correspondence on the subject of the Eastern question ! This same paper states that England desires to induce the Danes to conclude a treaty which shall provide for all possible eventualities .

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      The 22 nd anniversary of King Leopold ' s taking possession of tho throne of Belgium , and swearing to respect tho constitution of 1831 , was celebrated on Thursday with tho usdal coromony . Tho civil marriage of tho Duko do Brabant with tho Archduchess Maria Honrietta m to bo celebrated on Sunday , August 21 , at tho King's palace at Brussols . Tho next day tho religious ceremony will take placo in tho church of St . Michael and St . Giululo , the Cardinal Archbishop of Malinos officiating . Tho public rejoicings organised for tho occasion will take place on tho ' 23 rd , boing tho seventeenth anniversary of tho birth of tho bride .

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      Although tho surface of German societ y is undisturbed , and tho polico-spy and tho soldier havo it all their own way , tho oleinonts of revolution are aotivo benoath . The lifoof tho . Emperor of Austria is again threatened , by a conspiracy , mysteriously wide and deep in its ramifications . Tho stability of tho Prusnian Crown ia menaced by religious as well as political agitation . A sort of frno-thinking development of Protestantism is making rapid progress in Southern Germany . Something like tho old forinent of tl \ o Anabaptists , it without t heir ferocity , distinguishes the movement .

      There have been symptoms of famine-riots in Tf i Some towns in the Bomagna have / been placediin a * * of siege . At Rome an insurrection was recentlvn ^! hended . All Italy is a mine . "" Wappw .

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      THE CAPE : CONSTITUTION : PEACE : TRADE The Cape of Good Hope is at length justifying fa name . Peace on its borders , plenteousness wfthiff ita homes , political satisfaction , and extending trade , allow the best hopes for the long vexed colony . The new constitution has been received with papula thanksgiving . At the Cape a meeting lias been held to hail the new institutions with which the country is endowed . The constitution was warmly received , and an address of thanks voted . The South African Advertiser is eloquent in its enthusiasm . j ^ says : — " We have heard from the lips of all

      but infants , blessings on the Queen , who had made their fathers free . In his person , in his family , in his soul , the poorest inhabitant of this colony no longer knows a master on earth . The constitution combines the whole power of the State for the protection of every individual . This is civil and religious liberty . When St . Paul pronounced the words— 'I am a Roman / the arm of the provincial oppressor was paralysed . The name of a British subject is not less powerful over a wider empire than Rome ever knew . The gift of liberty , thus understood , was rapturously accepted on Monday last , and thus one grand act of the colonial drama was triumphantly concluded .

      At Graham ' s Town the people had passed resolutions declaring , together with their gratitude for representative institutions , that these do not meet the moderate requirements , or satisfy the reasonable expectations of the people of the province . They particularly complain "that the constitution is unaccompanied by any suitable provision , either for a removal of the seat of Government from Cape Town , Or for the establishment of a strong and efficient government in this province . " It is believed , however , in the colony , that a little discussion , in the first new parliament will show thaFthe constitution makes the best provision that could have been devised , on all points affecting the general welfare , by fringing the whole colony into one council , in the first place , expressly for the purpose of discussing and settling them by general consent .

      It appears by some notices in the frontier papers , thdt there are still aome brigands at large in the Fish River Bush , the relics of the war , whom it will be necessary to root out ; but generally the frontier districts are rapidly recovering their former settled and prosperous appearance . The material interests of the colony , as a whole , have steadily improved . Landed property has everywhere risen in value . Capital finds constant and remunerating

      employment . All sorts of labour are in demand at high , but not extravagant rates . Tho Graham ' s Town Journal says : — " Our farmers are gradually returning and resuming their usual occupations . The plan of settlement of the N . E . boundary is proceeding satisfactorily , and the expectation of the scheme being extended along the line of the South Victoria division gives a degree of confidence to our frontier men , which would not have been otherwise felt . The Kat River

      commission has nearly closed its labours , and has , wo understand , collected a mass of evidence which , when published , will bo found alike interesting and important . " Tho trade and commerce of the colony during ^ tho Inst year are described in the Report of the Committee of the Commercial Exchange , to be gradually extending not only to the uttermost limits of civilization , but to regions hitherto unexplored by the most adventurous

      trnvollers . In tho same document the committee mention with satisfaction the grant of a constitution and tho contract made with tho General Screw Steam Shipping Company , to have two vessels of 300 tons each running between the ports of Table Bay nn " Natal ; the improvements lnado during the year in tho coaling of steamers ; the expectation of soeing a lighthouse reared on Capo Point ; the growing improvement in tho Post-office arrangements ; tho receipt of tho Prize Medals from tho Great Exhibition of 1851 ; tho rapid inereneo in the quantity of wool ; nnd tho p ' ' gross of road making in tho colony .

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      AMERICAN NOTES . Titk 4 , th of July was celebrated , in ' tho cities of tl ) 0 Stntcti , with tho usual ebullitions' of enthusiasm « " gunpowdor . In Now York the Cubans walked >» P " cession , with " lono star" flags , and other " indopenddnt" ' symbols . . Many reforms have- boon carried out in Cnnn ( Tho now Mhmtry is among thorn , tho old ndininiBtnition having become unpopular , " through nninmunftgo 1 """ of tho Crown lands , nnd glaring subswvioncy <<> t ! ^ Romish hierarchy . " ( Chronicle correspondent . ) ^ decimal currency lias been cstnbliohed .. The urn

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      The Austrian policy of arresting Hungarian Refugees wherever they are found has again brought Absolutism into action with the American government , which now appears in the seas of Europe as the sole protector of the rights of nations . It appears that Beyrout has been the last scene of the attempted Austrian violation of public law . A Hungarian refugee , accompanied by his wife and children , embarked on board one of the Austrian Lloyd ' s steamers . No doubt acting on instructions from head quarters , the Captain immediately signified to him in the name of the Consul that he arrested him and would convey him to Trieste . The Hungarian protested ; and then appearing to submit to his destiny , he withdrew to a corner , and waiting until he saw that he was not watched , threw himself into the sea . A boatman picked him up and conveyed him to the Consulate of tho United States . There proving by his passport that he was entitled to American protection , he was received . Thanks to tho energy of tho American Consul , the wife and children of the Hungarian , whom the captain wished to keep on board , were restored to liberty , and arrived at Smyrna by the French steamer . When Ali Pacha , the ex-governor of Smyrna , left that city , the consuls displayed their flags , and tho men of war fired a saluto , with tho exception of tho Austrian Consul and Commander . In relation to tho homicido of the Austrian midshipman , tho Austrian Consul insisted that the chiefs of tho emigration should be bastinadoed , but , to his honour , tho new Governor Chokib Effondi refused . Tho 4 th , of July was gallantly commemorated at Constantinople by tho American ^ Charge * d'Affairos . Sixty Americans assembled on tho occasion . Tho Hungarian and Italian omigrants serenaded the Charg 6 d'Aflaires , who himself appeared on tho balcony , and gave three clioors for tho freedom of Italy , Hungary , and tlio United States .

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      M . Usener , tho approver of tho Times , in tho great rocket caso at Rothernitbo , has been arrested at Coblontz . Surely tho Prussian police havo mado a mistake in his caso .

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      728 THE LEADE R . [ Saturp ^

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), July 30, 1853, page 728, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1997/page/8/