HISTORY OF THE WEEK.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XV, Issue 2, 5 April 1856, Page 4

HISTORY OF THE WEEK.

[From the Liverpool Journal, Dec. I.]

Lord Palmers ton haa completed his Cabinet wrangamsnts ; and on Wednesday, Mr. Labouchero anJ Mr. Baines mat their colleagues in Council. The sitting w:(3 a long one ; and conjecture is busy 83 to tha subject or subject* under consideration. We can easily fancy what they were ; — peace, war, and the United States afforded no luck of topics ; but in what bhapo things present themselves it ia not, ju3t now, permitted the public to know. The rumours of peace acquire consistency. The Strong desire encourages belief in the (statement, that propositions have been made indirectly from' Russia, and that these aro not altogether unacceptable to Franop. England stands off, and tho Morning Post, sunposed to bo partially in tho confidence of the Prcmbr, impugns tlie fact, that peace has been as yet, since the fall of Sebastopol, submitted to consideration. Ministers and diplomatists give largo latitude to political conscience, and djninl can be so worded as to lie like truth. Tho questijn immediately involved refers almost exclusively to tho mission of General Canrobert to Sweden. One party ..S3crts that it has entirely succeeded ; that tho object waa to influence King Oscar to join tho Western Alliance, and, that ho is prepared to unite with them in hostility to Russia. The other denies that any question of diplomacy was involved ; that the visit was ono of courtesy merely,

and that Sweden has no notion of departing from her neutrality. Both are equally confident, but it is hard to believe that General Canrobert would be selected for a visit of ceremony ; and his journey coinciding iv timo with the speech of the Emperor at the closing of the Crystal Palace, looks as if it were a practical comment on that remarka"bla discourse. It is not denied that negotiations of some kind have been going on, and it is not denied by Russian partisans that the Czar is most anxious for a peace. There can be no doubt whatever that he dreads the effects of protracted hostilities, and can hope nothing encouraging from them, but ho is not quite, despot though he be, his own mabter. His fears, too, are local as well as foreign, and a practical expression in Germany and Scandinavia of public opinion would probably enable him to overcome opposition at home. The war party in Prussia would hardly persist in a contest where the enemy add 3 the remainder of Europe to his resources; and the dread of consequences, not now apparent, could hardly fail to render even Constantine pacific. Whatever amount of truth thero may be in the current rumours of the day, Lord Palmerston is under no obligation to notice them publicly. He is, in the absence of parliament, the keeper of his own thoughts, but there is abroad a persuasion that the Cabinet are not entirely of one mind on the qnestion of peace or war. The last appointments however, strengthen the war party. Mr. Labouchere and Mr. Baines go with tho Premier, and all cannot help feeling that a peace would terminate their ministry. While the war continues, the present House of Commons will yield decided majorities; but, tho war over, a different result is possible in inevitable change of opinion. A new parliament defies calculation as to its party and political tendency, but tho probable circumstances would all bs adverse to Lord Palmerston's chance of retaining power. All parties refuse to believe in his permanency in Downing Street. The Derbyites are, of course, hostile ; tho Peelitcs refuse to attach their fortune to his ; tho Peace People have an ancient enmity with him ; and the dubious hundred who go in to win, will confess the influence of debate, when they think the minister doomed to fall. The prominent intellect of tho House of Commons will be in opposition, for Mr. Labouchere and Mr. Baine3 do but little in diminishing tho depreciating balance. The continuance of the war would, for a time at least, atone for this deficiency ; for, while the army remains in the field, Lord Palmerston is Becure of victory in the Legislature. This war, however, like all preceding wai'3, loses part of its popularity with time; and an attentive observation of what is taking place incidently leads to tho conclusion that a change is coming over tho opinion of the time. Six months ago, the Peace Society lecturers were treated with contumely, whereever they had the hardihood to show themselves ; but of late they get a tolerably attentive hearing, a moiety of the meetings being favourable to their views. As,, yet, however, there is an indecision in the minds of the people. At Oldham, Mr. Fox was rather enthusiastically cheered while he praised the Premier and advocated war. At Rochdale, on tho contrary, Mr. Miall advocated peace, pleading his cause with consummate - ekill, for which he had not credit previously, and he did not forfeit the confidence of hi 3 constituents. His arguments were well put, though they were not very novel, for the arguments he relied on have been frequently advanced iv these pages. The question of peace or war was fairly put to the meeting, and tho decision was curious. A majority voted against an amendment impugning Mr. Miall's opinions : but a motion against the war, unless it contemplated the independence of Poland, Hungary, and Italy, was carried. In that direction the opinion of the masses will run, unless dear bread and want of employment dispose them to regard any war as hurtful to their interests.

Fortunately, tho price of food is declining ; and the Board of Trade returns 6how that commerce is active, and of course, the sum of employment undiininished in the manufacturing districts. Costly as the war is, and disturbing, in some measure, as is its influence, the resources of this country are strong and abundant beyond all former precedent ; but this, for which wo arc thankful, ought not to render 113 less eager for a return of that peace, to the influence of which wo owe so much of our prosperity. At this very lime, our mean 3 counsel against results that would not bo safe and honourable.

Tho quarrel with the United State 3i 3 still in an incipient state. Tho Yankees have surprised, by their refusal to be extravagant or excited at the receipt of the news that the fleet on tho West India station had reference to a misunderstanding with tho Government at Washington. When the Times blundered about tho object of our ministry, wo stated that the matter in dispute referred not to Ireland, Cuba, or Hayti, but to Central America. The American journals remove all doubt upon tho subject ; but, greatly to their credit, they, ono and all, drprecate a resort toarm3 by either party. In another column will be found the most potent argument on this point, in the form of a return of the trade of the United States for tha year 185 1-5. Nothing further need be said on the subject. One half of tho large trade of the United States is with Great Britain and her dependencies ; and one fourth of tho trade oi Great Britain 13 with the United States. The folly of the young gentleman who killed (he bird for the golden egg would find a terrible illustration in » war between U3 and the Yankees.

We have by the Kent, at London, fourteen days' later news from Australia. It is favourable to the colonies, but unfavourable to exporters, for prices were falling, and gold was plentiful; a brace of facts which confirm the obvious opinion that Australia ha 3 a destiny of which no one seems to have a sufficiently large conception. Tho war in the Crimea is suspended for the present, and it were as well if both armies, during the cold weather, reciprocated visits of courtesy rather than of blood. They coukl do no harm, and might do good. On the Asiatic side of tho Euxino things remain pretty much as they were. Omar Pasha has not done anything remarkable since he forced the pa3s of the Ingour, and even that battle loses part of it 3 eclat in details. Th 3 gallant garrison in Kara is still sore pressed ; but although tho Russians have, it is said, prepared to winter m the environs of the town, they will hardly persist, since tho weather is terrific from November to March. The Ingour is more than 200 mile 3 from Kars, and between them aro several forts and a largo river. Kutais, near which the last accounts left the Turkish General, is 150 miles, ami intervening is a mountainou3 range, according to tho mips. A direct relief to Kara in that direction, we fear, is not to be expected ; but it is said that an advance towards Teflis, forming an angle with Kar3, would operate better than a direct attempt at affording succour ; for the Russians, taken on tho flank and threatenPil in the rear, would retire along the valley on Teflis, the base of their operations Still the winter is terrific in these regions : it is death to be abroad : and spring, when it succeeds, discovers in tho snow hundreds of the natives who perish in the pursuit of their business. How troops are to faro in camp may be conjectured. From Scbistopol wo have now details of tho recent explosion*. The official account is melancholy : th.2 deacription (admirably done) by tho Daily News correspondent, is fearful. Tho populur King of Sardinia, after partaking the hospitality of tho Emperor of the French, and enjoying the sights of Paris, is now hi tho more congenial nir of Windsor Castle. Festivities are pwpared for hia Majeaty, but hi 3 stay will be brief, for he departs on Thursday next.