The Sun.
London, England, 1852-03-16 00:00:00

THE SUN,

possibly be done to urge the Ministry into some
desperate venture in behalf of their agricultural sup-
porters was endeavoured to be accomplished by the
distinguished orators, experienced debaters, adroit
tacticians, or daring experimentalists who last night
banded themselves for a while together with a view to
unsettle the affairs of administration. Fortunately
for the country, the statesmen selected to the more
important departments of Government were men
capable of acting with a courage worthy of the
emergency. They were resolved, as the PRE-
MIER himself candidly acknowledged, at all
hazards to preserve their authority until such
time as the annual supplies have been voted, and the
more essential business of the country satisfactorily
accomplished. The assurance of this determination
was altogether so resolute in tone, that there can no
longer remain any doubt of the postponement of the
dissolution until the requisite labours of the session
have been deliberately performed, and when an
appeal to the country would no longer be perilous to
the community. As far as the estimates are con-
cerned, this must be admitted to he in the highest de-
gree satisfactory. Aa far as the cause of
unrestricted commerce is concerned, we
cannot view the matter as, in any re-
spect reasor, for either anxiety or lamenta-
tion. Our reliance upon the indestructibility
of the policy of Free Trade, the policy suggested by
ADAM SMITH, advocated by HUSICItSON, propounded
by VILLIERS, eulogized by COBDEN, and established
by Sir ROBERT PEEL, is of a character so profound
and implicit that we look with indifference to the
moment when the question of its uodieturbed main-
tenance shall be submitted to the ceusideratien of the
people. Wbether the appeal be made to-day or to-
morrow appears to our thinking to be matter of ex-
ceedingly subordinate importance. That no doubt
can be entertained as to the consequences of such an
appeal, be it made either this year or next,
either with Lord JOHN RUSSELL at the head of the
Government, or with the Earl of DERBY as the
leader of the Administration, we are to the full and
most earnestly satisfied. The financial condition of
the country during the period of the free trade rule
would be enough of itself to insure for the champions
of monopoly the strongest antagonism on the part of
what for that subject must be allowed to be a suffi-
ciently enlightened population. The mercantile
prosperity of the empire during that same remarkable
interval yields simultaneously corroborative evidence
of a similar description. The knowledge that since
the abolition of the corn-laws, in 1846, no less than
50,000,000 quarters of wheat beyond the average
have been imported and consumed in these islands
must be regarded as a fact so forcible of its kind, that
if it stood alone it would of itself be enough to de-
monstrate the humanity and wisdom of that great act
of legislative reorganization. Therefore, we rely
without hesitation upon the devotion of +he people of
the United Kingdom to the cause which some among
its mistaken and timorous supporters seem just now
to deem seriously jeopardised. Abolish Free Tiede ?
Turn the river Exe back upon its own current,
RS was suggested by Lord PALMERSTON ! Restore
the corn-laws 11 You might as well dream
of witnessing the speedy completion of the
NELSON monument, of discovering architectural
beauty in the National Gallery, of hearing a final de-
cision in the great Chancery suit of Jarndyce and
Jarndyce, or of extorting cash paythenta for the
bondholders of Pennsylvania ! Rectal the power of
their ancient monopoly to the Agriculturists ? As
well attempt to call spirits from the vasty deep, to
discover perpetual motion, or the quadrature of the
circle—to string pearls on a sunbeam, or detect the
interior meaning of Abracadabra! Satisfied that Free
Trade has been incorporated as a principle once and for
ever with the fundamental laws of the Constitution, we
can peruse with a calmer and more dispassionate ap-
preciation those speeches which last evening in the
Lords and Commons revealed anew the masterly elo-
quence of the PRIME MINISTER, and the consummate
cleverness of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER. AS
debater?, the Earl of DERBY and Mr. DISRAELI shone,
as usual, conspicuously during the course of yester-
day's discussion, the oratorical honours beirg shared
by them with two of the most illustrieus statesmen
of the age, Sir JAMES GRAHAM (who made the
speech of the night in the House of Commons) a❑d
Lord PALMERSTON. Ap art from the interest of the
subject under investigation, the proceedings of last
night were of an interest such as must render them
for ever memorable in the annals of the Legislature.

Although the so-called Reform Bill has been with-
drawn for the present session, and the appeal to the
country must take place without any extension of the
franc'iise or improvement in the system of represen-
tation, we rejoice to find that there is a reasonable
prospect of one, and by no means the least important
feature of the measure, being carried in a distinct
and separate form even by the present Parliament.
The Right Hen. Gentleman the Member for Devon-
port last night gave notice that he would on Wednes-
day next (to-morrow) move for leave to bring in
Bi:l for abolishing the property qualification
For Members of Parliament. There is so general
concurrence among men of all classes and parties on
ene propriety and expediency of removing every im-
pediment to the full and perfect freedom of choice
that should be accorded to every constituency, that
we cannot suppose that any objection will be made
or obstruction raised to the passing of this judicious
proposition, a proposition which would have received
the Legislative sanction last year, but for the ex-
pression by the then PREMLER of his entire approval
~f its principle, and a pledge that he would bring it
forward as part of the Ministerial Bill
which was then under consideration. It was only
withdrawn in consequence of that pledge, and it is
due to the Honourable Gentlemen by whom it was
utroduced, and to its numerous supporters, that it
mould be disposed of previous to the dissolution.
Toe law on the subject has long been practically
inoperative. It is a matter of perfect notoriety the'
the required qualifications can at any moment be
manufactured to order, and that for a stipulated price,
varying from 501. to 1001., the veriest pauper,
even a person overwhelmed with debt,
would be rendered eligible to represent either a bo-
rough or county. Every law that can be so easily
evaded must be worse than useless. It might possi-
bly exclude high-minded and conscientious men, wile,
though in the enjoyment of handsome incomes, de-
rived from the practice of professions or other indus-
trial occupations, and perfectly independent, were not
in the possession of realized property of the nature
required, and would not avail themselves of any sub-
terfuge to defeat the provisions of a solemn Acct of
Parliament, however impolitic and injudicious
tl-e1 might be. Such pereines would clearly
most desirable represeutatives. They would
very probably be required to pay as large a tax on
their incomes as if in the enjoyment of the bests cir-
cumstanced real estates. But they would derive no
political privilege from their liability to that impost,
and they
could not be returned to Parliament by any
constituency,
however desirable their services might
be to the electors.
Oo the other hand, objectionable
persons, whom it
might be advantageous to exclude,
laugh
xp at v
thes
iy
obataclee, and to use the vulgar
b
"drive coaches and six through
uer expressive
Phrase,
the several Acts" without difficulty or inconvenience.
in every other resect
uoquestionably be pre-
pealedWere the regulations
de•irable, they should
for nothing is
impolitic than alaw which wants
for the above reason.
ineponi
sanction,
words, which can be viol
of these unjustifiabl
with impu-
nomir
yri.en other
there ated
are other urgent grounds for the
e restraints
on the freedom of el
immediate remove le
ection. The best and highest
qualification which any man can have to a Beat in
L
the popular branch of the Legislature is the honest
choice of an independent constituency. The privi-
lege belongs to the electors, not to the elected, and no
unnecessary clog or restriction should be suffered to
exist. It is the right of the constituents, not of the
candidates, that are improperly interfered
with, and it is for their sakes that the
required changes should be forthwith carried
into effect before the next general election.
If we look to the objects for which these restrictive
laws were first enacted, or the effects thereby pro-
duced, we shall see equal reason to rejoice at their
removal. At first, the qualifications should ne-
cessarily consist of real estate, and they were
required for the purpose of promoting
the Jacobite
cause, and opposing the interests of
the house of j
Brunswick. These objects wiU scarcely meet with

LONDON,

popular approbation at the present day ; nor will the
recollection that the corn-laws, under which the
nation groaned for thirty years, might probably
be attributed to the existence of what was, at
the time of their enactment, the real property
qualification, and the consequent ascendancy of the
territorial aristocracy, render the cause:of that monster
grievance more popular. Under all the circumstances
of the case, then, we trust that Mr. TUFNELL may
be permitted to carry his exceedingly beneficial
measure through all its stages without opposition or
obstruction. I►t will be a graceful concession to the
popular feeling, which will, we have no doubt, be
duly appreciated throughout the entire country.

We rejoice to find that J. G. PHILLIMORE, Esq.,
Q.C., is again a candidate for the representation of
Leominster, on the most liberal principles. The
Honourable and Learned G-,,ntlernan has promptly
responded to the urgent invitation presented to him
by a numerous and iefluential body of electors,
and he has done so on grounds that should, and we
hope will, command success. Mr. PHILLIMORE, who
has long occupied a high position in the honourable
profession of which he is a distinguished member,
has long been favourably kliown as a legal
and Parliamentary reformer and an uncompromising
free-trader. Many years since we had the gratifica-
tion of directing the public attention to several able
pamphlets pointing out the evils of special pleading,
and indicating most valuable ameliorations in the
administration and practice of the law. We
now earnestly invite attention to his liberal,
manly, and straightforward address to the electors
of Leominster, a copy whereof will be found in ano-
ther part of this day's impassion. There is no con-
cealment, everything is clear and above board—free
trade, vote by ballot, abolition of church-rates, and
legal and other reforms, ere distinctly and explicitly
referred to, and in a manner that must prove satis-
factory to every honest reformer.
Xe cannot refrain from adding that it was owing
to the courage and humanity of Mr. PIIILLIMORE and
his friend Mr. FRY, that poor JANE WILBEED was
rescued from the miserable position in which she
was placed, and that her torturers, Mr. and Mrs.
SLOANE, were brought to justice. The Learned
Gentlemen at that time acquired golden
opinions from all classes for their admirable
conduct, we are sure that the transacion will
not be forgotten by the electors of Leominster when
the fitting time shall arrive of recording their appro-
bation of the generous protection accorded to a friend-
less orphan in the hour of need.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
The principal topic on which they dwell is the con-
ir•rsion of the Five per Cents. The Con.stitutionnel
gives its warm adhesion to this final measure. "We
applaud," says the Constitutionnel, LOUIS NAPO-
LEON and his Government for having secured a prompt,
prudent, and honest solution to a question which has
longed weighed heavily on public credit. The decree
of Louis NAPOLEON on the conversion guarantees the
new stock against any fresh reimbursement for the
term of ten years. besides, puts an end to all fear
of any income-tax, of which, however, the Govern-
ment never entertained any idea. Let it be remem-
bered that before the 2:1 of December the Five per
Cents. were quoted at 91f. It is Louis NAPOLEON
who, by the tairy coup d etat of the 21 of D,cember,
raised the rente above par. On Saturday, on the eve
of the promulgation of the decree, the Five per Cents.
only exceeded par by 3f. 50e. Toe reimbursement,
if demanded, will only cause the stockholder a very
trifling loss, and there is every reason to believe that
per GAIL stock will soon go
the price of the new 41
beyond par." The Pays likewise supports the mea-
sure. The Dibats opposes it, as it did the proposition
for a similar conversion under the reign of LOUIS
PHILIPPE. The Assemblie Nationale does not ques-
tion the right of the Government, but doubts whether
the moment for the exercise of it is well chosen.
The Duchess of DALMATIA, widow of Marshal
SOUL; died at Souitberg on the 12th inst., aged 81.

There was an immense crowd at the Bourse, iiixious to
see the effect produced by the conversion of the Five per
Cents. The Five per Cents. opened at 101 f., fell to 100 f.
BJc., rose subsequently to 101 f. 50c., and closed at 1011.
25c. for the ecd of the month ' • thr... Three per Cents. closed at
691. 9Uc. ; Four-and-a 41alf per Cents. closed at 1001.
25c., being a rise of 10f. 75c, since Friday last. Orleans
Railroad Shares, 1,170 f. ; Rouen, 767 t. 50c. • Havre, 280 f. ;
Greet Northern, 6421. 50c. ; Avignon, 262 f. SOc. ; Vierzon,
560 x ; Ba le, 232 t. ; Burdeaux, 533 t. 75c.; Paris and
Strasburg, 555 t.; Tours and Nantes, 3361. 25c. ; Paris and
Lyons, 6101.
BUsISESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE