THE VOCATION AND THE HOUR FOR POLAND.
IN spite of many things untoward in the aspect of affairs, there are grounds for hope—as the stars shine brighter in the darkest nights. - France has declared that the treaty of Vienna, infringed by the Northern Powers, is annulled. It is contended in this country that France is wrong, for there are other Powers to the treaty besides France and the Northern Powers. That might have been a conclusive answer had the "other Powers" united with France to resist the infraction. But the British Government has fixed the utmost extent to which England can go for the enforcement of the treaty : if England only protests against its violation by one party, she cannot in justice use a more stringent mode of enforcement against another—if she neglects to enforce the treaty against the Three Powers now, she cannot in common decency claim to enforce it hereafter against France. The treaty of Vienna, therefore, is virtually annulled. The great statute in the public law of Europe is void, and we do not see how England can uphold the opposite doctrine. But free opinion has grown stronger than
absolute authority, and therefore the loosening of old bonds is a source of hope rather than of fear.
Not that the occasion of improving the new opportunity is as yet apparent. But it may be brought about in many ways. King Louis Philippe is said to have proposed a conference to repair the defects induced in the public law of Europe. If his wish be granted, care will of course be taken that the new settlement of Europe shall be still more favourable to the growth and exten- sion of free institutions than the old treaty was. If he be re- fused, why then the elements of change will be still more left at liberty.
Nor do we presume the Poles to have yet learned their true position. Hitherto their agitations and turbulences have been of a kind to command but imperfect sympathies in Western Europe,_ and possibly even to indicate that there wants some great man to know the times and shape the conduct of his countrymen for practical and attainable ends. The Poles, as a body, have laboured simply for the restoration of ancient Poland. Now Poland, with its feudal constitution of tociety, would be a scheme of politics which would command no respect in England. On the other hand, many exiles have fallen into the " Deinocratic " circles of London and Paris • they are misled by their immediate friends as to the feelings Of the countries in which they reside ; and they contemplate schemes which no European state—not even the "Republics" of Switzerland or San Marino—could sanction.
It does not follow that Poland's occupation is gone, or that she might not be restored to the map. All will depend upon her leaders' discovering what is their true vocation—what the time for them to move. Por ages, Poland, with her highly military ge- nius, bravely played the part of an advanced guard for Europe against the Goths of modern times: a similar office awaits her, if she could regain her capacity for performing it. Poland, the " natural " antagonist of the great Absolute Powers of the North, could only retrieve her nationality with the aid of Constitutional Europe : she must especially go along with her geographical neighbours in political advancement—must, to obtain that COD- . currence, satisfy the judgment of those who love freedom in Germany, Prussia, and Austria. When those countries are ripe for some great movement in the direction of self-emancipation, then will be the time for Poland to take the initiative.
How is she to do so ? Not, assuredly, by begging for help from other countries as a charity. The "poor Poles" who sub- sist on the leavings of Guildhall, or hang in expectation of a pa- ragraph in the address Of the French Chambers, will never be, the men to set their country up again. Nations that would ; stand, must do so of themselves. Poland has been a great na- thin ; -she is now split into many parts. Her vindicators say that the spirit of nationality is unextinguished—undiminished. rt , may be so ; but in that case the fact is susceptible of being de- ; monatrated. It is a matter of fact, unascertained but not unas- certainable, whether the several parts of the Polish race are 7. capable of reunion and of united action. Still, if they do retain that capacity, the fact is Only to be ascertained by dint of the utmost diligence, patience, and discretion. If ever Poland is to arise again among the nations, her rising must be spontaneous and simultaneous ; her disjected members gathering themselves together and reuniting in one state. Such a result must be a work of deliberate preparation—it cannot be brought about by Guildhall festivities, or Democratic addresses, by talking about Polish nationality, nor even by partial turbulences in Posen or " Cracow. Could she rearise, she might again fill her old post of honour, fighting at the outpost in defence of Europe, of civiliza- tion and freedom. But to that end, we say, she must act in har- mony with European opinion—must strike when the more ad- vanced provinces of Austria and Germany are prepared to back the blow, and must be prepared at once to reassume that national unity and ancient military vigour which are her undying boast.
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