The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-01-19 00:00:00

great measures now in action. We think too violent an
alarm, without any pressing or immediate cause, Las been
raised in Jamisica, and such.a spirit will afford new argu-
ments in Parliament to the persevering abolitionist. This
important question ought to be calmly discussed, and on
the best information ; it should be debated without preju-
dice on either side. As to the petitions that will be pre-
scnted, these are in a great measure worth nothing, and
must be so considered. They come from men ignorant of
the snbject, and influenced only by a blind and sectarian
zeal. They. know nothing of the West Indies or its situa-
tion ; and Mr. Wilberforce or Mr. Buxton ought to be
ashamed of presenting such pt titbits. Let their history
be investigated, and it will be found they are got up in
country towns, from individuals personally canvassed, who
are ignorant of their real object, and are titis'ed by deep
tlesign. Should such petitions, and on such a subject,
'carry with them the slightest %retied ? Assuredly not.

The surest and the shortest means of destroying a free
Government, and establishing a pure and unmixed despo-
tism, is by annihilating the liberty of the press. The
people of England, taken in the mass, arc too high-spirited
to submit to the open exercise cf arbitrary power ; but
they are by no means sufficiently upon their guard against
the indirect and secret attacks that are daily made upon
their constitutional privileges by the law of libel, which, in
the extent to which it hie.; been carried by this last verdict
against Me. Hunt, as effectually extinguishes the freedom
of the press u any censorship, however rigid, could possibly
do. " he dangerous consequences," as Lord Erakine
Lunt truly said, in his memorable speech on the trial of
'the Dean of St. Asaph, " of the doctrines established en
the subject of libel, are obscured from the oyes of many,
from their net feeling the immediate effects of them in
daily oppression and injustice; but tl:at security is tmen-
porary and fallacious, it depends upon the convenience of
Govern:nen' for the time being, which may nut be in-
terested in the sacrifice of individuals. and in the temper
of the Magistrate who administers the criminal law." The
sycophants of tyranny find this /we orlibel their best ally
in all cases in which a victim is to be marked out for sacri-
fice: nothing is half so well calculated for the purposes
of oppressions* this Gorernitunt-engine, which can at any
time grind under its wheels the man, whoerer he may be,
that the Court may choose to pick out as an object of
vengraece, or to hold up as an object of terror. There
can he no question as to the fatal effect that will
be—that inevitably must be—produced by the present
system of what is called the law of libel—a system at war
with every principle that deserves filename of law, u well
as subversive of every right by which the tenure of our
liberties as a people are held. We earnestly hope that Mr.
Hunt will yet move isi arrest if judgment. That supposed
offence, of which lie is declared ratty, is an offimee an-
known to the laws of England; it is an offence unknown
to the Constitution of England. That an opinion pro-
nounced in the reign of one monarch, delivered in the spi-
rit of conscientious conviction, is to deliver over the person
who utters it to the stern vengeance of the law, because it
may, by possibility, disturb or disyniel the mind If his
snretssur—it is a principle unheard of! There is a con-
/t etroary among the Scrertigns of Europe to put down the
liberty of Me l'ress. The Continental Press is already
struck down. That part of the compact is fulfilled. In Bri-
tish Indio its influence has been recently annihilated, and
its freedom is at an end. Thfsgreat example was intended
to give the lead; and we may rely upon it, that it is not
meant the precedent should be thrown away. Wit! uaiu
England the press is enslaved—effectively, and with the

most cunning foresight enslaved—through the medium of
the hue ~r libel. It has a reach of despotism in its result
that leaves nothing to consecrate the privileges, or to guard
the rights of a free people, and nothing hereafter but tine
and imprisonment can await any writer, who has the cour-
ve to speak the truth, or the virtue to attempt either to
serve his country, or to save it.

The Catholics of Ireland areydetermined to bring their
cla:ms before Parliament, in the 'tree:vest manner, early
in the next Session : they feel the justice of their de-
mands, and will press them unceasingly, until conceded.
.Iggregate Meeting will soon assemble in Dublin ; Mr.
O'Connell has given notice, in the Committee, of a motion
to that effect, and the example will be followed all through
the kingdoin. It will he a consideration with the Catho-
lics, whether they will not pray to be heard in support of the
Bill for their relief at the bar of both I louses, and address
his Mateaty, paying his gracious and powerful interposi-
tion also. We know that Mr. O'Connell, during his limited
stay here, had a conference of great intevest with Mr.
Brougham, anti that the sitzotion of Ireland and the Ca-
tholic question were fully canvassed. The luminous elo-
quence of the latter distinguished senator will be exerted
prominently in the approaching Session on the distracted
situation of Ireland. The Catholics in general, unhappily,
arc not satisfied with the government of the Marquis
leaky ; it is meat unfortunate such a feelintr should exist,
but it cannot now be dissembles]. We do not wonder they
should feel deeply mortified and ditappointeci ; they have
been most unjustifiably treated. The body of penal law,
still in full force against them, is an anomaly in the his-
tory of enlightened legislation, and a disgrace to the
counsels of this country. Their petitions could scarce ob-
tain a hearing in a crowded house during the last Session,
while the stupid bigotry of Sir Timings Lethbridge was
patiently heard for near two hours. The tranquillity and
welfare of Ireland, in which this country is so deeply in
(crested, are in a great degree committed in this question ;
its people never will be quiet or cot toned sender turnweltest
proacrimion ; nor can six millions of Catholics be kept hi
eternal bondage. No half-measures of qllected conciliation
will do ; Government and the Legislature must make up
their minds to act fairly and justly towards that country, or
sec it disturbed from end to encl. if its peace and prospe-
tity arc to be sacrificed to the bigotry and politics of two
or three Tory families here, let Alinisters at once declare
so: let them state that the Manners family, the Ilert-
fortis, anti the Louselalea, arc the Leiters of Ireland,
and control every measure of the Irish Government. The
subject is likely to come early, and markedly, in the ap-
proaching 14,..55i0n, before the House. Mr. Hume willli
bring on hie motion for the extinction of the Viceroy's
Court in Ireland, and the Catholics will (nicer their advo-
cates so as to ensure a full discussion of their claims. It
is perfectly clear, the present discordant system cannot
last ; it produces no good : without open hostility, it has
all its results, and the consequences to the Catholics are
completely the Lune.

The King will hold a Privy Council, this day, at his
Palace, at Brighton.
On Saturday morning, the l)nkc of York arrived in town,
from his visit to the Duke of Wellingum.
Thursday was the Duke of Gloucester's birth-day,
when his Royal Highness completed his tsth year. In the
evening, die Royal Duke's tradespeople illuminated their
houses.

Thursday morning, about seven o'clock, the Duke of
York lett town for Stratlitiehbtay Ilarnpahlre, on a
Dt.i;:c of VCcllingttat.