The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-23 00:00:00

Government to afford every honourable acceptance,
encouragement, and assistance in respect to the patriotic
offers for the formation of the latter corps." From the
wording of these three amendments, it will be mani-
fest that the most rational suggestion, the only rational
suggestion according to our opinion, has not been
whispered about by those opponents of the Militia
Bill who are still impressed with the necessity of
making some large improvement in our system of
national defences. As we have intimated, however,
the gist of the whole question may be regarded as
comprehended within the compass of the pithy and
suggestive motion framed by the Right Hon. Gentle-
man the Member for Manchester. His argument,
possibly, in adopting this particular course of opposi-
tion, may be that by thus summarily ridding the
country of the chance of an enactment so unpopular
as the Militia Bill introduced by Mr. WALPOLF, he
would not merely be satisfying the anxiety
felt by many lest this measure should actually
become an enactment, but would be indefinitely post-
poning the consideration of our position as an island
presenting innumerable opportunities for invasion
until such time as a really judicious scheme was sub-
mitted to the Legislature by some more regularly
stabilitated Government.

A standing navy we have long asserted to be the
most rational means of defending England against
military invasions from the continent. This, never-
theless, is
not precisely the moment for the
enforcement of the views entertained by us in
this particular. What remains to be decided just
now is, not so much whether the extension, or at any
rate the re-organization of our maritime force is de-
sirable, but whether Mr. WALPOLE'S Militia Bill is
to be read a second time to-night, and subsequently
forwarded as expeditiously as possible through the
various subsequent stages required to be passed by an
Act ~of
_Parliament. Almost every one is agreed
that the national defences are in their present state
altogether inadequate. The necessity for some speedy
and comprehensive change, in the way of being pre-
pared against any continental assault, has for a con-
siderable time past been universally acknowledged.
The Duke of WELLINGTON was about the first to as-
sert the peril of our situation—and not very many,
we feel assured, will be disposed to emulate the
Member for the West Riding of York-
shire in ridiculing the sentiments entertained
upon this subject by the brave old veteran. Sir
Fua.ucis HEAD entered soon after wards into a de-
tailed exposition of the propriety of those words of
warning which the COMMANDER-IN•CHIEF had
solemnly addressed to the nation through his
memorable letter to Sir JOHN BURGOYNE. Little
reason,lindeed, remains for any deliberate argument
upon a matter now totally removed beyond the need
of serious demonstrations.

Demonstrations, however, of another kind, have
been deemed advisable, and these consequently
have taken place of late in various quarters of the
United Kangdom. There have been, for example,
enthusiastic meetings in Edinburgh and Liverpool,
in Bath and Birmingham, in. Scarborough
and Wolverhampton, besides others in equally
scattered parts of the country, for the purpose
of protesting against the intended enactment
for the re-organization of the militia. Whe-
ther the Bill in question be carried forward
in defiance of this out•of-door opposition is
a point the turning upon which will have to be
decided by the magnitude and energy of this evening's
in-door opposition. As we have all along main-
tained—the advisability of introducing very
considerable improvements into the system of
the national militia is no less obvious than the pro-
priety of extending, in regard to the Royal
Navy and the Marine Artillery, the more im-
portant among our national defences. But
against a measure as arbitrary and ex-
travagant as that propounded by the present
HOME SECRETARY, it is only reasonable that the
spirit of the whole country should be roused
with indignation. Moderate changes let us
have in the militia, by all means, but not
changes so preposterously unnecessary; and with
I these moderate changes let us also have a standing
navy, and England may then laugh to scorn the pro-
jects of invasion conjured up by adventurers in the
French army or in the French marine—projects
hatched by the temerity of a JOIN VILLE or the am-
bition of a CHANGARNIER.

Mr. MILNER GIBSON has entitled himself to the
marked thanks and gratitude of the community for
the consummate ability with which he exposed the im-
policy and injustice of the several taxes on know-
ledge. The Right Hon. Gentleman, indeed, brought
forward an overpowering case in favour of the aboli-
tion of these iniquitous imposts. A most gracious re-
ception, too, was accorded to his statement, which
distinctly and unequivocally proved the state of
feeling among men of all parties on these interesting
questions ; but there was a circumstance of even still
greater importance perceptible during the discussion.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, by his ob-
servations, showed that he himself was fully sensible
of the evils of the existing system, and that, if his
tongue were sealed for the present, by the official
etiquette which forbids a partial revelation respecting
fiscal matters until the whole Budget be brought
forward, his feelings and wishes are strongly in fa-
vour of the removal of these obnoxious charges.
The difference between the Financial Minister of
England and his immediate predecessor could net have
been exhibited in a stronger light. Mr. DISRAELI,
in place of relying on the obsolete fallacies in
which Sir CHARLES WOOD rejoiced, and
largely availed himself of, declared at the very
commencement of his speech, not only for himself
bat also for his colleagues, that they " had no fear or
apprehension with respect to the influence of the
prees." They did not participate in the " sinister
feelings" by which others were actuated. They re-
garded the propositions merely in a financial point of
view, admitting the great hardship of the case, and
willing to take into their best consideration any prac-
ticable mode of relief. This candid and fair confes-
sion considerably clears the ground for future occa-
sions. It gets rid of the principal argument relied
on by the sticklers for ancient abuses, and allows each
of these questions to rest on its true foundation. We
shall henceforward hear no more twaddle respecting
the licentiousness of the press, or the necessity of re•
pression—of something, in fact, approaching to a
censorship. The subject must rest on a very differ-
ent basis, and there can now remain but little doubt
as to the ultimate result.

On one of the points, indeed, the Right Honourable
Gentleman, although giving no pledge, so clearly and
unequivocally intimated his views, that we may almost
already congratulate the country on the speedy repeal
of the advertisement duties. The amount realizid
by the Exchequer from the- last-mentioned unequal
and oppressive charge does not exceed 160,000/. per
annum. Its repeal may, therefore, easily be accom-
plished without the necessity of procuring a substi-
tute, while the larger proceeds of the other charges
require much greater care and onsideration.
yebmrent thath the fidnoann
tchi
sl
daystat ewmeeenkt we
no
tui lt
ebde
tdheefi nRi igvhe
tl
The simultaneous announcement
Honourablefdor wGa 1:e Gentleman
, bveiz.,shotuhladt
until after that general exposition
particularerely o n
to the indulgence which he clairate
a vote on
snuobtjecbte, whichsehdoulbibe dealt with nota
m
its individual merits, but in reference to the
general fiscal question. Men of all parties re
cognised the justice of the demand, and
feeling of general gratification was a
apparent.
It was Mr. WAHLEY that proposed the adjournment
of the debate, which was seconded by Mr. ConnEN)
and unanimously adopted. All were pleased—and,
for the time being, at least, state ohn
satisfied.
lust.,
eisthsenrotthheeyr
will remain so, after Friday, the
question ; but it is something to know that on that day
we shall he enlightened on every fiscal point. We shall
know what is to be done and what must be left tin-
!
done ; what relief will be granted and what must be
left to &future time, and also the comparative chances
of the different remedial measures which have
eac,h_and all their respective admirera and advocates. 3
it' Would scarcely- be fliir to anticipate- or tO (IEI3-rive
the Right Hon. Gentleman of the merit intro-
ducingof
his own Budget. We may, however, without
arrogating to ourselves-any extraordinary power,
-vaticinatiov, venture to assert that the
advertisement duty will be altogether repealed, and
that some hope, at least, will be.held out as to the mo-
t dification or abolition of the paper duties and