Althou g h for the day the secession of Lord Palmerston will
be more of a wonderment, the thickening of the plot in the East is a subject of infinitely greater importance. The true character of that contest is not altered, though it is developed, by the latest vicissitudes in the fortune of arms. The rights of Turkey are not affected by her reverses, since those rights were adjudicated before she sustained the reverses; and Russia does not stand so much in the position of a conquering enemy towards Turkey, as of a con- tumacious suitor who is in contempt towards the High Court of Europe. For this reason, we do not attach very great weight to the authenticity of reports one way or the other in regard to par- ticular engagements. At the beginning of the week, we had the announcement of a Russian victory—a forcing of the port of Sinope, and the destruction of a Turkish war-fleet. That was the Russian story: the Turkish story represents the engagement to have been on the open sea, and not in port, between a stronger Russian and a weaker Turkish force; the Turkish fleet consisting of transports for Batoum. It does not matter. 'Whether the force was greater or less, Turkey has received a blow; but whether Turkey is wounded or not by that blow, does not alter the merits of a conflict which Russia began with unprovoked aggre,s- gen. In like manner, it scarcely matters whether Russia or Tur- key is gaining ground in Asia, because it never has been admitted that it is with Turkey that Russia must finally deal. Nor can the inland kingdom of Persia, with her reported hostility to the Porte, materially affect the great European question. Persia may annoy Turkey; but the question between Russia and Europe re- mains unaltered. The Western Powers have declared that Russia shall not seize any part of the Turkish territory. By defying both Turkey and her allies, Russia has broken up the whole sys- tem of relations between herself and the Ottoman empire; and it will lie with other powers to determine whether the wanton ag- gressor shall be suffered merely to retreat. If it were so, Russia would have effected her object; for that object was, to unsettle the empire which she hopes to absorb by encroachment. It is not possible that the allies of Turkey could suffer her to sustain this assault and could leave her burdened with the expenses of the war which she showed so muoh patience in avoiding. Any party to a wanton suit at law has to bear the costs; and Russia must not only give up the property she has seized, but also pay the costs of the action which she has provoked: other- wise there is a failure of justice, and the interference of France and England will be a theme of derision. What, then, is the conduct of our own Government in the midst of these constantly enlarging issues? To avoid an European war, with all its disturbing consequences, much would be conceded to Ministers by public opinion in this country; but when it is per- ceived that each day's delay brings Russia nearer to her object and the Allied Powers further from theirs, public opinion begins to ask why a more decisive course is not pursued ? .0n the meet- ing of Parliament, the responsible Ministers of this country will be called upon to explain, whether the measures that they have taken have been the best fitted to attain their proposed object— the vindication of law and the restoration of peace.
