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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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In brief , we adjure our friends in France fco regard our Queen as that which , in intent , sbe is , the messenger of cordial friendship , unalloyed on the part of the great mass of our people by the slightest -thought of congratulating successful crime or insulting ^ the fallen liberties of France . The sentiment which animates her breast and those of the vast majority of her subjects is that of pure good-will , of overflowing joy at our alliance , of entire respect for the French nation . This is our sincere and intense conviction , which
we earnestl y repeat , acknowledging at the same time the error which has converted an international alliance , understood and re-Bpected by all , into the semblance of a personal complicity , revolting to all that is noble and true in France . We are almost alone in the press , but we are not alone in England j we have with us all that is true ana noble in the land , we have with us the heart of the people , when we say that for France , as for ourselves , we hold fast amidst all disappointments and disasters to the hope of freedom and the communion of the free .
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. SURVEY OF THE WAR . News of the most stirring character has arrived this week from the theatre of war , both in the Baltic and the Crimea ; and has raised expectation to the highest pitch . The war " moves " once more . The Baltic . —The Allied fleet has done something ; as we write , no one can tell the precise value of its achievement . The telegraph says that the gunboats and mortar-vessels of the Allies have destroyed Sweaborg . We do not desire to underrate the importance of what has been accomplished , but we
may be permitted to doubt whether it is so extensive a 3 is implied in the word " destroyed . " It appears from the words of the British Admiral that the gunboats and mortar-vessels bombarded the place for two days and two nights , blowing up powder magazines , burning consumable buildings , and at least greatly damaging the heavilyarmed granite batteries . Before we have the details , now momently expected , we cannot of course describe how this was accomplished , nor its extent ; but we will try to describe Sweaborg , and place the reader on a par with ourselves .
Sweaborg consisted of a chain of islands , intersected by narrow but deep water , stretching across the entrance of the fine bay of Helsingfors . These islands are more than a mile in length , measuring from Langern to 4 3-ustava-Swert . In the course of last century Marshal Ehkenswabdt , seeing their admirable situation , built a fortress on the Wnrgon , and constructed spacious locks and basins ou that side of the island facing the mainland . By / degrees the whole of the islands were
conaverted iuto formidable forts , the guns of which sweep the sea-front , and command the channels leading to the bay . Each scries of Works was complete in itself , containing its own stores , and having bomb-proof cover . Wargon , in the centre of tho front lino , was considered by tho Russians , in 1809 , as the citadel of the place ; but they have since made Oustava-owort equally strong , if not stronger . In some places there nrc triple
rows of batteries cut out of tho solid granite , with scarped faces to tho sen . The roar is oIbo protected against an attack from the main by strong batteries ; and it is understood that , apprehensive of n hind attack , the Russians have strengthened every point with earthworks . The cannon mounted on the walls of Swoaborg were of the largest calibre , and tho whole of tho forts wore no doubt fully supplied with munitions of war . Our commaudera saw at a glance that
although there is water deep enough to float the largest ships up to the forts and through the channels into the bay , yet that the terrible array of guns and the peculiar character of some of the works rendered an attack by the heavy liners quite desperate . There are , however , scattered ' over the front of this chain of islands several rocky islets at
unequal distances , ranging between two miles and one and a half . When the admirals received the reinforcement of gunboats and mortar-vessels , in all forty , the greater part British , they conceived the plan of a bombardment from a distance , and took advantage of the islets above mentioned , which would afford shelter for their boats . This we infer
from the statement that the attack would be opened by the small vessels at 2500 yards distance ; and as some of the islands , to a certain extent , enfilade the greater works , it may have been that they were used as batteries by the Allies . At all events , the small vessels must have got within a comparatively small distance of the forts , and have thus been enabled to rain fire and destruction upon the magazines , barracks , and storehouses of the place . The effect of this destructive bombardment
upon Russia will be more a moral than a material one . Apart from the vexation of losing in two davs the fruits of so many years toil , there is the disgrace of having the third fortress in the empire destroyed within u few miles of the capital . Bevel must tremble , and Cronstadt think seriously on its liability to a smilar visitation . We must also remember the effect this energetic
action will have upon the Scandinavian kingdoms , and even on the courts of Germany . The Oriniea . —While we were all yesterday chafing under the absence of news from the lines of Sebastopol , aud under the delay of that " hitherto unexpected" success , promised by one of the Ministerial organs , the news of a victory on the Tchernaya was travelling along the electric wire . It reached London in the afternoon , its brief and expressive words rousing the deepest feelings of men . The official telegraphic despatch says
nothing as to the numbers engaged on either side , but simply states that the Russians , in great force , attacked the position on the Tchernaya , and were gallantly repulsed , after a three hours' battle , by the French and Sardinians . From Varna we have a second despatch , wearing an official character also , but not distinctly so , which names General Liprandi as the leader of the assailants , estimates their numbers at between 50 , 000 aud G 0 , 000 , sets down their loss at between 4000 and 5000 mentions the capture of 400 prisoners , and states that the loss on the side of the Allies is trifling *
Tho position , on the Tehernaya consists of the left bank of that river from Tchorgoun , where it breaks through the mountains , to the heights that rise above tho valley of Tnkcnnan . The right wing was occupied by tho Sardinians , who had strengthened their position with strong earthworks .
Whether they occupied tho heights over Tchorgoun , and thus held a position on the left flank of the Russians , we cannot say , but it is probable , as the bridge at Tchorgoun was well-defended . Behind the Sardinians the Turks would stand in reserve ou the heights above Kamara , with tho cavalry , probably , on tho Woronzort-road . The French divisions
were in position on the left wing , along the banks of the river covering the passage by Troktir , and touching with their right the Sardinians , with their left tho ridgo in tho rear of tho camp before Sebastopol . Tho enemy probably descended from the lnkormmi heights , covered by tho firo ot his batteries , and moved down tho road from
Mackenzie ' s Farm upon Traktir , deploying to his left , and occupying a prominent hill that looks down on the river between Tchorgoun and Traktir . The lines of the Tchernaya were very strong as the Russians have found to their cost . As an attack has been suspected for some time , the Allies have been very watchful , and thus they could not have been surprised . It was a noble field for the debut of the Sardinians , who have thus received the baptism of battle . No doubt the flag of Italy was borne bravelv in the fkrht
side by side with the tricolor of France . But what are to be the results of this defeat ? Have our commanders followed up the victory and essayed to storm the heights held by an army demoralised by defeat ? Does the daring of battle augur confidence or impatience on the part of the foe ? Are they proud in their accumulated numbers ; or is Sebastopol so hard bested that nothing can save it but a powerful diversion ? These are questions which the full despatch , which lags so far behind the rapid telegraph , alone can answer . We wait with patience .
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Since we wrote the above lines the telegraph has partially answered our queries . Yesterday the fiery rain of the batteries before Sebastopol once more poured down upon , its dogged defenders . The Generals are evidently determined to follow up the heavy blow of Thursday with vigour . This is the crisis of the campaign . Now
Sebastopol must be ours ; now the Russian army must be defeated—or not at all this year They have given us the advantage by taking the initiative . The battle of the Tchernaya , unlike the battle of Inkerman , may , as we conceive , be followed up with prompt determination , and the enemy forced to fight for existence somewhere between Mackenzie ' s Farm and Bakstclii-Serai .
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THE POLICY OF SUSPICION . A certain set of men are now endeavouring to agitate the working-classes upon questions of foreign policy . Emulating the dictatorship of the Administrative Reform Association , they have organised committees to deliberate upon the Russian war , upon the state of Naples , upon the oil-and-tallow trade , and
upon the Danish succession . With reference to the last-named topic , Mr . La : n gfob . i > of Birmingham bas interrogated the Earl of Malmesburt , and the late Secretary for Foreign Affairs has been good-natured enough to reply . He states that the interference of England , which resulted in the treaty of 1 S 53 , was invited by the Danish Government itself , —that the succession remains so far
unsettled that certain contingencies are not provided agaiusfc , and hints at the danger ot Russia inheriting Holstein . Upon this courteous epistle the Birmingham Covenanters passed a variety of insulting criticisms , Mr . Collet especially indulging himself in remarks on the " imbecility" of the noble earl . This point is not , in itself , worth notice . Neither is it improper that tho working-classes , or any section o £ them , should examine and discuss the politics of Europe . They have every right to do so , and in course of time will probably
arrive at just and liberal conclusions . Wo think , however , that we may put it to tho quiet and intelligent men who represent the industrious orders far better than explosive enthusiasts and discarded understrappers ot office , whether they gain by . tho universal domination of suspicion ? Onoot tho iineat aud most subtle remarks ot Uobbsphbhiub was , that suspicion ia to liberty what jealousy is to love . It is the undying worm that eats away candour , generosity , and sell-respect .
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Jto < 3 rtJST 18 j 18 & 5 ] T&E LEADER ; 789
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 18, 1855, page 789, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2102/page/9/
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