The Sun.
London, England, 1852-02-26 00:00:00

The principle was the same—the detail might be dif-
ferent." It is impossible, then, after such a speech,
that any follower of the Noble Earl should attempt
the petty and paltry quibble, and more especially are
we convinced that the new CHANCELLOR of the Ex-
CHEQUER, and Leader of the House of Commons, is not
the man who, under any circumstances, even if
urged by the head of his party, would consent to
introduce the topic on a basis so utterly un-
tenable. No, the contest, if it should arise,
will be conducted on fair and straight-
forward terms, such as may be expected from con-
_ _

scientious and highminded belligerents.
But will it take place ? Is the conflict inevitable ?
By no means. If the Free-traders be true to them-
selves—if they follow the laudable example of their
friends and collaborateure at Manchester, and exhibit
unequivocal and irresistible evidence of their un-
flinching resolution, the question will never be
brought forward. Both Lord DERBY and Mr.
DISRAELI have repeatedly declared that with the
present House of Commons it was hopeless to moot
the topic, and the now PREMIER added to the effect—
we do not profess to quote his words—that
if the country did not at the next
general election unequivocally declare in fa-
vour of protection, the subject should be finally
dropped. We may, therefore, notwithstanding the
vauntings of some of our Protectionist contemporaries,
express our thorough conviction that until after the
dissolution the subject will not even be brought under
the notice of Parliament. The battle will then have
to be fought at the hustings, and it is there that the
point in issue must be decided, " whether the English
people are deserving of the inestimable benefits they
have obtained, or whether they are prepared to sell
their birthrights for the sums that may be obtained
from interested parties for their venal suffrages."
So long as the questions of " protection" and the
re-imposition of taxes on human food remain in
abeyance, we are by no means indisposed to afford a
fair trial to the present Government. We freely
confess that we greatly prefer Sir EDWARD SUODEN
to Lord TRURO ; that there can be no comparison
between Mr. DISRAELI and Sir CHARLES WOOD ; and
that even the respectable mediocrity—or, to go to the
utmost extent that has been asserted, the " incapa-
city" of Sir Joust PALINGTON, is far better
than the meddling arrogance of the Earl GREY.
We would bear a great deal in order' to get
rid of the family party who have hitherto monopo-
lised the most important offices of the State, to the
lexclusion of better men. Thank GOD we shall no
longer have the impenetrable, thick-skulled
stupidity of Sir CHARLIs WOOD to con-
' tend with. Nor can we expect the stereo-
typed answer from his really talented successor
to every appeal to justice or expediency, that " the
impost produced so many thousands per annum, which
he was not prepared to relinquish." We now look
forward to a more equitable apportionment of the
income-tax, the removal of some at least of the taxes
on knowledge, and to the abatement of some of
the most flagrant fiscal grievances. Should any ob-
noxious measure be introduced we must resist it to
the utmost, but let us not reject at the hands of the
Tories the bona fine boons which we could not hope
for from the Whigs, at least so long as the GREY
clique remained in office.
The contest will, however, take place at the
hustings, and there will the question be decided.
The Ministers will unquestionably have an advantage
in some respects, but under any circumstances they
cannot control the will of the people, clearly and dis-
tinctly expressed. The veteran chairman of the
Anti-Corn-law League has placed this matter in so
clear a point of view that we cannot refrain from
quoting his very words :
" If," said GEORGE WILSON, " they went3to an
election the Protectionists would poll thirty-three
boroughs, returning sixty-six Members to Parlia-
ment, every one of which posiesses as much political
influence as the borough of Manchester did, though
their constituencies undoubtedly were scarcely equal
to that of Manchester. He knew that in these bo-
roughs they would have coercion, intimidation, bri-
bery, corruption, and all those influences the landed
aristocracy could wield at pleasure, and which had
for centuries made aristocratic Governments a thing
for pleasure and for profit, rather than for the pub-
lic good. He knew when they (the Free-traders) had
polled the whole of the constituencies with above
110,000 electors, they would only send some 20
Members to Parliament. But he also knew this,
that if they (the Protectionists) obtained a majority
twice as great as they did before, and which repealed
the corn-laws, that majority would be impotent, if
the people of the manufacturing districts are prepared
to say to my Lord DERBY, Better the condition of
the agriculturists if you can—do what you can to
improve their condition, so that it is not at our ex-
pense—but the moment you put one penny of duty
upon the bread of the poor man, look to yourself,
Lord DERBY, and your order—for this question has
been settled once, and beware how you and your order
provoke the discussion of a question again which will
involve in itself the disposition of many things not
to the interest of either yourself or your order."
There will be coercion, intimidation, bribery, and
all those influences to which the aristocracy or money-
ocracy can resort at pleasure ; but if the people be
true to themselves, the change in the nomination
boroughs can produce no real result, nor subdue the
voice of public opinion.
We cordially concur in the resolution finally
adopted, viz., " That the gentlemen who formed the
Executive Council of the late Anti-Corn-law
League be requested to watch the proceedings of the
new Administration, and should the necessity arise,
to call together the parties who formed the General
Council of the League, and that this meeting stands
adjourned to Tuesday next." It is this "armed
neutrality" that we have recommended, an observance
of the most unceasing vigilance, but acting purely on
the defensive—not making any attack until they are
themselves first assailed.
and

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
The Constitutionncl contains an elaborate article,
from the pen of M. GRANTER DE CASSAGNAC, lauda-
tory of the new state of things in France. lie dwells
on the great internal improvements in railway inter-
communication effected by the PRESIDENT since the
2d of December, and mentions other facts, all tending
to indicate Louis NAPOLEON'S desire for peace as the
only means of developing the resources of the
country, augmenting its prosperity, and ameliorating
the condition of the population, instead of those ideas
of military conquest and aggression with which
foreign journalists delight to represent him as solely
animated.

The Pays has the following on our new Protec-
tionist Ministry :
" Whau we see the Tories return to power it is diffi-
cult not to call to mind that for a long time they were
the very soul of all the dangers which threatened the
peace of Europe, and particularly of all the combinations
which were menacing for France ! It is difficult to avoid
remembering Pitt, Lord Castlereagh, Lord Wellington,
and that Tory Pleiades, which struggled against us
with such fatal obstinacy. God forbid that we should
wish to revive old animosities, the slightest sparks of
which, if still alight, we would rather extinguish. God
forbid that we should think that the English Cabinet would
wish to provoke fresh embarrassments abroad, and com-
promise, without very serious motives, the peace of the
world! Bat the presence of Lord Stanley in power is
the principle of a certain mistrust, which it is almost
impossible to completely get rid of, and which will re-
quire the greatest prudence on the part of the Prime
Minister of England to prevent its degenerating into a
cc:millet."
The Prefect of the Seine has addressed a procla-
mation to the electors of his department, recommend-
ing their support of the Government candidates,
nsmely.-MM. Guyard-Delalin, proprietor and cap-
tain of the National Guard ; Devink, ex-president of
the Tribunal of Commerce ; Duperier, member of the
Municipal Commission of the Seine ; Moreau (de la
Seine), ex-representative ; Ferret, mayor of the Bth
arrondissement; Poncho Lepelletier, vice-president
of the Council of Prud'hommes ; Lanquetin, presi-
dent of the Municipal Commission ; Maximilien
thea Government,
ex-banker ; and Veron, director of
the Constitutionnel.
"na U. ?der existing circumstances," says the Prefect,
olynerpnremseennct,etohfetnhoemi
clneaartioanndofdeacny ideodthaettritcuadnedoi!
date, however honourable his past conduct, or what-
everwa
on
consideration
theu s ; mlay be y
oattached
wto
ou
would
shna
va
em ea
result almost as disastrous ,
disavowal would be a di
which you' would give to
yourselves. Abstention
the smallest inconvenience
would be to postponeelection, and perhaps to
compromise it, or at least to give it over to chance.
You wish for a strong Govrti Toer alnt,_s your interests ;
durable inetitu-
tions, and a serious protection
send, therefore, to the iegialLAuv_ 1 e
body men who

have the confidence of the Government, and wbo, 1
in its work of reparation, would lend it a loyal end
disinterested support. The Government only wishes
for the grandeur and prosperity of the country ; you
understood that on the 20th of December. Be,
therefore faithful to yourselves, is responding
frankly to its appeal, and you will again act like good
citizens."
The Bourse was firm, with little business doing, ex-
cept in railway shares, which all rose. The Five per
Cents. opened at 103 f. 90c., and closed at 103 f. 95c. for
the end of the month; the Three per Cents. closed at
65f. 90c.; Orleans Railway Shares, 1,1401.; Rouen,
650 f.; Havre, 2621. 50c.; Great Northern, 595 f.; Avig-
non, 218 f. 75c.; Vierzon, 528 f. 75e.; Basle, 2181. 75f.;
Bordeaux, 445 i.; Paris and Strasburg, 486 f. 250.; Tours
and Nantes, 3001.; Amiens to Boulogne, 302 f. 50c. ;
Paris and Lyons, 5821. 50c.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, FEB. 25.
Boulogne and Amiens, 113/ —East Indian, 211,4 Luxem-
bourg, 3 —Namur and Liege, 6% Northern of France, 19%
—Orleans and Bordeaux, B%—Paris and Rouen, 25%—
Paris and Strasbourg, 17) —Rouen and Havre, 10172.: