DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT ON HUNGARY. [From the Observer, July 22.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 469, 26 December 1849, Page 4

DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT ON HUNGARY. [From the Observer, July 22.]

The short debate in the House of Commons yesterday upon the present contest waging between Austria and Hungary, is pregnant with the deepest meaning, and significant of more for the future than is meant to meet the eye- at present. Mr. B. Osborne introduced the subject, a little wildly, perhaps, but upon the whole very well, in a motion for papers connected with Russian interference the Hungarian quarrel ; and Mr. M. Milnes seconded the motion in a speech remarkable for good sense and ability. The Radical Member for Middlesex, and the Tory Member for Pontefract, in conjunction, and of agreement, upon one great question of foreign policy, is an omen of the union which pervades all classes in this country upon the subject of Hungary ; and the subsequent remarks of Mr. Roebuck, Lord Dudley Stuart, and other members, must have satisfied even the most sceptical, that the sympathies of the people of England are with the' gallant men who now fight the *' good fight for European liberty." The speech of Lord Palmers ton, however, was the most significant, and therefore, the most important of all those that were delivered on that occasion. Admitting the right of Austria to call in the aid of a foreign power for the purpose of repressing insurrection against her authority, and stating at the same time in general and in particular terms the nature of the Connection between that empire and this kingdom of England, Lord Palmerston unhesitatingly stated in substance — and m fact — that Austria was in the wrong in the course taken by her upon this occasion. It would, indeed, be difficult, if not impossible, to escape from tho dilemma he psesented for the consideration of that power, and of those who supported its extravagant pretensions over Hungary. If, said he, Hungary should win, Austria would have lost the fairest portion of territory ; if she should, on the contrary, lose, then will Austria recover Hungary in a crippled and exhausted state, such as to render her of no value for at least half a century. He might have added, that in either case Austria will have to pay the highest price' a nation can pay, viz., the price of her independence. From henceforth the Austrian Empire is no longer independent — Austria is but the bondslave of Russia. Lord Palmerston expressed his belief that the cause of Hungary had enlisted the hearts of the whole English people in favour of tho Magyars ; and be is perfectly right. But he might have gone further ; he might have sta» ted that public feeling is only now beginning to be aroused on the subject, and that within a very short space of time, in all human probability, England will ring from end to end with indignant denunciations of the iniquitous •contest now carried ou against liberty upon the Hungarian soil by the united depots of Austria and Russia. In fact, the people of this country are only slowly awakening to the consciousness that the war of Hungary is a fight for European freedom ; and that the discomfiture of the Hungarians will be followed — inevitably followed — by European slavery of the most frightful character. Lord Palmerston pom ed in an unmistakeable manner to the tendencies of the Government in the matter ; though, in passing, it -may be remarked, that the acts are more effective than expressions of good will, open or concealed. He said that no opportunity had as yet arisen for interference on the part of England, but that when it did it would be availed of. It should not be forgotten how--erer, that " while the grass grows the steed dies, 1 ' and it may be that while England is awaiting her opportunity liberty will be tramrpled oat in Hungary, the name of that gallant nation be blotted from political geography, Russia aggrandized in respect to European influence, and Austria so thoroughly Russianized as never to recover her original integrity. The treaty of 1815 is based upon the preservation of the status quo ; will the status quo exist in case the Czar subsidizes the boy-Em-peror of Austria and holds him as his vassal ? It requires far less knowledge of the political highways of Europe than Lord Paimertton is

possessed of, not to know that the road to Constantinople is as easy through Vienna as through Belgrade.