THE TERMS OF PEACE.
23d January 1856.
Sra—Ruissia is said to have accepted certain terms of peace pure and simple. The Continental meaning of these terms is, integrally and plainly. Our English meaning is, in purity and simplicity. But purity and simplicity are two qualities wholly unknown to limed= diplomacy, and it will be well for England and France not to represent those qualities under the aspects of mere gullibility. If Austria—" the ever strong upon the stronger side "—enforces Russia to peace, it is for her own gain, fearing that if E.' ussian despotism be extinguished through obstinacy, her own turn will come next ; moreover, gaining for herself the freedom of the Danube, and the option of uniting with Russia at a future time to re- dot Liberal progress. If the conditions of peace are to be settled at Vienna, we may be quite sure that Austrian influence will be all in favour of Russia ; Slid if all turns out as at the last attempt—a mere hoax—Russia will at least have gained time and prorogued the Allies for a twelvemonth, while she puts in force all the wiles of insidious diplomacy. The best test of Russia's purity and simplicity will be to keep possession of all that she could use to endamage us, and to exact yearly payments from her ; absorbing hermeans for future mischief, till the whole .war expenditure of the A Wes and the losses sustained by the Turks are refunded. This is a logical punishment for the felony- of breaking into her neighbour's house, and the cost and trouble of taking her into custody. The suspicion with which nine-tenths of the community regard the ac- ceptance of peace by Russia is a wholesome sign of the times. The people will not be gulled, if their rulers are ; and any failure to exact justice maybe the means of renewing a strife in which the nationalities will unite once for all, and England perforce must recognize them. Sweden, Norway, and Sardinia, are pledged to us and we to them. The keys of the Bear's den are held by Sweden and Norway. It will be our fault if the den be ever opened till it Audi be inhabited by some animal more useful to humanity.
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