The friends of Poland in London are quarrelling with Earl
Russell. They asked him to receive a deputation carrying some strong resolutions passed at a large metropolitan meet- ing, but he declined. Consequently they appealed to the Queen, submitting the facts to her Majesty's consideration, and urging that further attempts at negotiation were hopeless. Five days afterwards they received a letter, signed by Earl Russell, repeating his former refusal to receive any deputation. Sympathizing entirely with the object of the meeting, we cannot but think Earl Russell in the right. Questions like the restoration of Poland can- not be discussed with a self-appointed and miscellaneous deputation of Londoners, while the attempt to over-ride the responsible Minister by a personal appeal to the Sovereign was a breach of the first principles upon which Liberals are supposed to act.
Previous page
