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Kihffdom might be divided by the line of the Adiffe ' the Venetian half to be conferred in sovereiciity on the Archduke Maximilian , who is married to King Leopold ' s daughter , and who is thereb y closely related to Prince Albert ; while the Milanese half might be conferred on the expectant husband of the Trincess Clotilde , the , cousin of Louis Napoleon , and the kinsman of the Russian Czar . If One asks what Austria ' s compensation is to be for such a surrender of territory , Wallachia is xuihesitating ly named . It is no secret that Lords Palmerston and Clarendon formally proposed to
hand over the Danubian Principalities to Austria in 1856 , but France and Russia had not then come to an understanding with each other , and Austria herself was not prepared to make the exchange . We can readily believe , however , that among our courtier politicians gambUng for office little scruple will be shown about this or any other scheme for stifling with dynastic bribes the stern voice of justice to Italy . King Leopold is an old diplomatist , and , if we are not much mistaken , he has been actively engaged for some weeks past in the development of this precious plot . He is about the ; only crowned head in Europe that possesses the confidence of the
Courts of St . Petersburg , Berlin , Vienna , and St . James ' s . He lias the strongest motives of personal ambition to help forward the accomplishment of the design ; and it cannot be denied that to Prance the line presented is , a tempting one . v What Russia may be disposed to say to it we know not ; what the Porte would say to th 6 loss of its suzerainty over Roumania matters little . But in the name of all that is just and free in our ; own country , in Italy , and in the unfortunate Principalities thus marked out for sale into bondage * we must enter our unqualified protest against each and every
part of the proceeding . We utterly deny the right of the dynasts and diplomatists of Europe to resettle secretly among them the destinies of countries and of populations . If the Lombards are worn out with foreign oppression and rising in revolt , call in the aid of foreign arms , they dream not in doing so of fitting on their necks a new collar of alien domination . Ppr the establishment of a native Government , whether Royal or Republican , they are said to be ready jbo risk their all ; for the honour of befog ruled by a subordinate Prince of the Frcuch Emperor not a man of them would raise a hand . To encourage
them , therefore , to resist the mailed might of Austria , with the furtive intent of consigning them to the custody of Prince Napoleon , would be a base and blood-stained fraud ; and yet everybody knows that to avow the purpose we have hinted at would for the present secure to Austria the undisturbed possession of her now turbulent province . Then as to Venetia ; there is not a co-patriot of the gallant Manin who would not rather remain a little longer passive and mute under the avowed thrall of Vienna , than be a party to establishing Austrian domination more firmly hi reality than ever , under the guise of a distinct Archducai Administration . Putting aside all theoretic dreams about the national unity of Italy , the Venetians well know how worthless and hollow have been the promises of liberty or good government made by the Archduke Maximilian . They know that his fair speeches during
the last two years were either made without sulUcient authority , or that they have been repudiated without scruple on the part of his brother , and without shamo on the part of himself . And , finally , as regards Wallachm , it is only necessary to suy that sinco the ' accursed partition of Poland no more nefarious proposition hns been mado by any European Cabinet than that which would hand over the freedom-loving Roumans to the hated gnolcvship of such a power as Austria , Parliament is about to meet . Mjnistprs will bo closely interrogated as to their foreign policy . Let us hope , for the honour of our country , ; that they will bo able to discluim hand , act , or part in any proicot for the repartition of Europe by a Congress , without tho publio and incontestable assont of the populations proposed to bo dealt with .
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DEATH-BLOW TO ORANGEISM IN IRELAND . TnE meeting which did not tako place in Dublin on tho 2 nh , has booomo one of tho most important qventB u \ Irish history , and it will hereafter bo pointed to by tho historian , as marking tho distinot boundary between a dark om iviid a brighter poriod . In tho boat aspect of tho affair , it was to have boon a coercion bill based on a publio loan for tho improvement of oottago property . There was
something so extravagant in the whole proposition as to make us , in England , almost believe that those who originated it must have a better knowledge of Irish character , better , information . as to the state of the country , than we possessed , and that they must * therefore , have data which we do not command ; The result has proved , however , that the English estimate of Ireland is , more just than that of all still surviving Orange bigots , or those . mild and well-intentioned persons born in an Qraiage atmosphere , who thought to do the work of beneficence with the thunderbolts of Toryism in their hands . The meeting was not given up without a struggle , to out
but the contest lias only neipea pring me real strength that there , is in Ireland , by nature and by recent education . Before the final break-down , the gentlemen who had enrolled themselves as a committee , determined to curtail . their operations ^ They arrived at this resolution in a preliminary and private meeting , which was attended by one of the protesters against the plan and objects of the movement , Mr . Levinge . He appears to have belonged to the Tory party , for he completely sympathised with this position of the party represented in Dublin Castle . At this meeting , he reminded those around him that these were no times to hamper the Government 011 the eve of an important measure
of Parliamentary Reform . He pointed out that Government stood pledged to adopt measures for the improvement of laud-tenure in Ireland . He took his ground as a tenant farmer , and deprecated a civil conflict , which must injure the practical interests of his class . It does not appear that he obtained much attention at the meeting , although it does appear from the sequel , that he represented the opinion which prevails amongst every class of the Irish community . Prevails , we say ,
that is , exercises the strongest influence and rules the movement of the class , as we shall see . Mr . Levinge , therefore , proposed an amendment acknowledging and regretting the still frequent occurrence of agrarian outrage , asking Government to investigate the cause of those outrages , reminding Government of its pledge with respect to land , and suggesting such an improvement as would enable owners to improve their tenants , farmhouses and offices . But while the meeting objected that this amendment would raise a discussion on
tenant-right , the majority present resolved not to adopt so conciliatory a course . The meeting appears to have assumed as an inevitable result that there would be a stormy meeting— " a row , " " au Irish row , " " a regular shindy . " Still , the opposition had some effect , and others evidently joined in it . The particular measures of coercion were struck out of the resolutions , and the meeting fell back upon a simple declaration , that further measures of repression were needed with the proposal of improving cottage property . Meanwhile , letters had been sent out inviting cooperation , and the committee publicly report that
they have received hundreds Of letters containing expressions of approval and support , from all parts of the country . What follows , renders this statement very curious as a piece of history ; and it is still more curious that while we have no insight into the actual tenure of these favourable letters , nil tho letters which have been published are of a diametrically contrary tendency . We mentioned last week several gentlemen who had been written to , and who replied by objecting to tho movemcut altogether , or suggesting alterations in the plan . Lord Clanricardo received such a letter ; ho answered it , exposing tho absurd nature of the movement
and tho wanton insult which it' offorcd to the whole of Ireland , its Government as well as people . Several gentlemen notified to the committee that they should move amendments , and when tho promoters of tho agitation , obstinate in their own original purpose , endeavoured to set aside these reproseutativcs of a more impartial public fooling , as in tho case of Mr . William Lcvinge , tho excluded party appears to havo rcsolvca upon getting a meeting of their own—another demonstration . It was nuito obvious that Lord Downshiro and his
friends would not bo able to hold tho field of Dublin alone against tho world . If they-could keep amendment ^ from thoir own private , room , they could hardl y have dono so from a publio mooting , But ovon jfthoy could , thoy could not defend themselvos against a n rival mcoting which would havo boon in itisolf a huge amendment , crushing thoir own original motion ; for if they had boon ablo to collect any rospcotablo show of supporters , which had booomo moro than doubtful > the opposite party would have made a far moro multitudinous , and in
many respects influential , demonstration . If they have mustered the skeleton of a regiment , arrayed against , them would be an army . ¦ The project had arrived at this critical stage , when Lord Downsbire and his coadjutors conceived the idea of appealing to the Lord Lieutenant—for what purpose is not stated . It is not uncharitable to suppose , however , that : the real object was to obtain such a sanction from , headquarters as would overrule any wavering members of the committee- ^—any "who agreed too much with Mr . Naper of Loughcrew , and would mark the question or coercion , in order to concentrate upon improvement . The committee itself ' reports the interview to have
been of a most satisfactory nature ; and the objects of the contemplated meeting having been fully obtained , it was resolved not to meet , but to substitute an address to his Excellency . It does appear that Lord Eglintoun had announced a step which may be regarded as covering the retreat of the Tory members from the position to which they had committed themselves . ' The Lord Chancellor has issued a commission for inquiring into the state of the magistracy , in order to a general revision of all gentlemen who are on the commission of the peace . There are many specific reasons why a great number of persons who are now on the roll should be moved , in most
instances , from some loss of qualification . But it is evident that the Lord-Lieutenant gave no countenance whatever to a party demonstration- —gave no promise of compliance with the demand for coercion . In fact , Lord Eglintoun has manifestly agreed with those tenant farmers , those landlords , those Liberals , and those Liberal Conservatives who scouted this attempt of the Orange gentlemen to enter into competition with this revivers of Ribbon outrages . The endeavours , therefore , to raise the Orange standard because a few poor fools have attempted to raise the standard of old Irish agitation * has resulted in obtaining from the Castle and the whole country an utter condemnation of the one fact as much as the other .
Untitled Article
CODE OF BANKRUPTCY . The opinion that Lord Brougham ' s code of-Bankruptcy passed with a great flourish of trumpets when he was on the woolsack , is a complete failure , is now common to lawyers and merchants , but these classes differ as to the mode of improving it . They agree in recommending the most simple proceedings possible , and in scouting the complication not long : ago suggested , but now given up by the present Chancellor . In considering this subject we must not , with the lawyers , dwell with extreme unction on one or two cases of fraud , and concludethat the mercantile classes always aim at concealing some scampishness by private compromises and secret
windings up of bankrupt concerns . Nor must we , with the mercantile classes , single out exclusively for comment the delay and the expense of law , and assume that lawyers have nothing in view in promoting a reform of the bankruptcy code , but to make a good job for the profession . We must look at principles rather than details , and remembering the bias of each party , must frame a law neither to conceal possible roguery nor provide emoluments for a class . Bankruptcy laws and bankruptcy lawyers exist only to serve tho mercantile classes , and we ought not to ask ourselves , like the Freneh Chancellor , what is to become of the profession if we could so reform the law as to settle all bankruptcy
matters without its aid P All porsons are now to a certain extent traders , and speculation is so much interwoven in private concerns and porsonal expenses so often help mercautilo insolvency , that tho distinction between extravagance and unavoidable misfortune , tho old reason Tor c&tablishing a code of insolvency and a oodo of bankruptcy has practically disappeared . It . is accordingly proposed , and wo think justly , to establish one codo and ouo mode of procedure for all insolvency , which will bo one stoo towards sim-It will
plifying tho wholo business . recognise a common principle of honesty for all , and will equally enforce on all the duty of punctually fulfilling pecuniary obligations . Whothov small estates of less than 200 ? . should be administered in Portugal-street , and largo ones of a value above that sum m BasiugliaHr street , is a question of detail that must bo settled on very different principles from those of moro convenience in reference to oxisting professional habits and buildings . Tho groat principle on whioh all aro agreed is that a man hopolossly unable to pay his way should give up all his property to his
Untitled Article
ffo . 462 , January 29 , 1659 . ] Til IiEADER . 145
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 29, 1859, page 145, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2279/page/17/
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