The Sun.
London, England, 1852-03-06 00:00:00

THE SUN,

by the Commander.in-Chief—uniting with
these
also some of the responsibilities at present entrusted
to the Home Secretary. Once establi-hed—the
' i Secretary of State for the Defence and War Depart-
' ments would be the man to whom the nation
could at all times of emergency forthwith ap-
ply for any desirable information. He would
be enabled thus to allay every anxiety felt by the po-
pulation. He would be empowered to take every
rational and requisite measure of precaution. He
would be, so to speak, the custodian of the .Egis of
the Empire, capable at every crisis of extending the
shield of warlike authority over whatever part of the
country might be threatened with assault.
Already we have referred in terms of deserved
commendation to the pamphlet'' in which this Minis-
terial appointment has very recently been advo-
cated. The importance of its suggestions, however,
induce us again to revert to its pages fur the purpose
of directing upon them the attention of the general
community. They comprise within a brief compass
facts of peculiar significance—facts which are just
now more than ever entitled to a very earnest and
extended examination. After the passage quoted from
it in the course of our remarks on Thursday evening,
the writer goes on to show in a manner very admi-
rable for its perspicuity, the advantages derivable
from the nomination of this fourth Secretary
of State. He ought to be empowered, observes the
pamphleteer, so to organize the whole naval and mi-
litary forces of the kingdom as would enable him
thus to address the nation :—" As there appears at
the present moment to be very great doubt in various
parts of the country as to our security against fo-
reign attack, and as many brave and gallant men
have considered it their duty to sound the
note of alarm—and as several of our naval
and military departments are much found fault
with and strongly suspected of being in-
efficient—and as the Daily Press is earnestly
urging these matters on the notice of the public,
asserting that we are not in a healthy state, either
for defence or for war, and publishing every sort of
suggestion and every man's opinion, of what is ne-
cessary to be done, I consider it my duty to assure
her MAJESTY'S loyal subjects, that although we
entertain no doubt as to the honest intentions of
our neighbours, and of their good feeling towards

this country, yet that her MAJESTY'S Ministers have
not been inattentive observers of all that is passing
on the Continent, nor are they resting our security
only on our insular position ; every measure of
precaution has been taken to prevent the proba-
bility, if not the possibility, of any attempt being
made to insult or injure this kingdom by effecting
a hostile landing on any part of her shores ; but I
may add more—for should they, by some chance,
' Through fog or in darkness get o'er,
They will find ready Britons,
To meet them on shore.'

" In a word, then, I can assure the nation that all
our arrangements, preparations, and calculations are
made, and should any enemy be foolhardy enough
to make the attempt, and by any unforeseen accident,
effect a landing on some part of our coast, it might
take twenty, forty, perhaps even sixty minutes
before he could be effectually opposed, but it would
not be more than three or four hours before, with
GOD'S help, he would be completely annihilated or
driven into the ocean, for his vessels would have been
before that time destroyed or taken. The electric
telegraph will have given us instantaneous informa-
tion from every post, and measures have been taken
for the conveyance of the necessary force to the
spots where they would be required. I may say,
indeed, that every house has its appointed garri-
son—every position its artillery—every hedge its
skirmishers, men of known ability and zeal have
commissions in their pockete, and authority to
assemble their men, for as England expects every
man to do his duty, so every one has his proper
post assigned him, and although all may not wear
red coats all are prepared for action. The Secre-
tary of State for the Home Department has made
the necessary arrangements for, a reserve civil
power, to carry on the duties of that department, so
that in case of any emergency its whole physical
force, which is extending itself most usefully in all
counties, will be handed over to me for the purposes
of defence and to support our gallant standing army ;
more I do not consider it politic to state, than that
the Government is fully prepared to avail itself of all
volunteer corps, either of cavalry or infantry. I ask
the confidence of the country."
Imagine, for a moment, the satisfaction of the
community at the present juncture, suppo ing
words like these were addressed to the nation by
his Grace the Duke of 'WELLINGTON. Let
a Seer( tiry of State for cur Defence and
War Establishments be appointed, and let
the present Commander-in-Chief a the Forces be
inducted into the office, and we warrant we should
very speedily have an end of these periodical panics
abcut invasion. A change of this character, accom-
panied by the organization of a Standing Navy, and
by the introduction of a system that would place the
Army on a better footing in regard to its efficiency
is—we feel satisfied—the most reasonable, the most
economical, and in every way the most advisable of
all the precautionary measures that could be taken
by her MAJESTY'S Government.

* " Alt moranclum on the Necessity of a Secretary of
State for our Defence and War Establishments," &c.
London: Ridgway, 1332.

Mr. COBDEN has entered upon a course of agita-
tion. The premier pas at Manchester has been fol-
lowed up by a second effort at Leeds, which we are
happy to say was of a much more satisfactory cha-
racter than its predecessor, being comparatively free
from many grave errors with which the former might
justly have been charged. His speech was delivered
in the very heart of the important constituency which
had selected him as one of its chosen representatives—
selected him not on account of aristocratic birth, or of
unbounded wealth, but as one of the champions of
a principle—selected him, too, without any selicita•
Lion on his own part, or canvassing on the part of his
personal friends, but because his election, under such
circumstances, would exhibit the most conclusive
evidence of the unceasing devotion of the numerous
and intelligent electors of the West Riding to the
glorious doctrines of free trade, and their undying
hatred of injustice and monopoly. His election was a
graceful tribute of respect to the unquestionable services
he had rendered to the good cause, but it bad another
and still more important aspect; it was intended
to show the utter hopelessness of any attempt to re-
vive the vexata questio, or to bring back the obnoxi-
ous bread-tax. In that light it was considered by Mr.
COBDEN himself, and in that point of view it was
regarded by the country. It was not merely a
personal compliment, it was the cause, not the indi-
vidual, to which the tribute was paid. But Mr. COB-
DEN might well feel proud at being taken as one of
the most efficient and worthy soldiers fighting under
that sacred banner, and to that extent he may justly
boast e
of the high and, under the circumstances,
almost unparall led honour conferred upon him.
latTe speech
edhchie to o f
the
thee
su
bHj
eoent.
on
w Gentlemanhich
he at
bad Leedsgai
gained
d-
his former laurels.
time be was
During the greater portion of the
adaresling the numerous and intelligent
speaking of the unequivocal ad-
of a free importation
There was this difference, formerly his argu-
ments
the theory, now he was
enabled
speak of the practical results, which more
t
I:
ova
auandr
tikat
markets. s,
of corn into our
sangltase expectationsbattles o'er again,"
but from a very of the
Free-traders.
r nhaentn confirmed t o
most
e
were directed to
fought
decided vantage.ground, and with
once enjoyed that those who had
the certainty the
blessings to which be was alluding would not easily
be induced to rehnquis
• • h the comforts of which they
were in actual possession.
Any attempt to pourtray these advantages might
be regarded as something analogous to the effort
refined gold,

to gild

To paint the lily, or cast a perfume on the violet."
Mr. COBDEN, however endeavoured, and succes-
fully, to place these matters in the best light. His
illustrations came home to every working man's
heart, and it is almost unnecessary to say that every
sentence on that part of the subject was greeted with
the most rapturous and enthusiastic applause.
The Hon. Gentleman, too, did a little bit of elec-
tioneering on his own account; and we do not at all
blame him for the readiness with which he turned the
tide of enthusiasm into
°"11 private channels.
The most dexterous and skilful
doubtful contest could not have exhibited j
agent that ever
managed a

LONDON,

greater tact or judgment. He had intended not to
have again solicited the most sweet voices of the
voters of the West Riding. He had " intimated
to his friends, that at another election, he,should re-
tire from the West Riding, and that he hoped his
old friends at Stockport would have forgiven him for
allowing himself to be forced from them, and that he
might again represent them in the Legislature."
"Not a month ago" he gave that as a final answer,
but circumstances had changed—the Whigs were out
and the Protectionists in, and therefore he was once
more at the service of the largest English consti-
tuency. They might if they thought proper elect
him and he would accept the responsibility.
We hope and trust that they will do so. We will
not say that RICHARD COBDEN could not be spared
from the Legislature, and therefore must be elected
for the West Riding, for whatever the result of that
election he would easily fil.d a seat; but we should
deeply regret any cessation of his connexion wi h
probably the most influential constituency in the
United Kingdom. Let RICHARD COBDEN, then, be
again elected gratuitously, and by a large and deci-
sive majority. It will be justly regarded as a de-
monstration in favour of the " big loaf"—of cheap
and untaxed food—and will not in any degree commit
the electors to the Peace Society humbug, or the
other fallacies which the Hon. Gentleman is rather
too fond of countenancing.
But although we would render every honour to the
champion of free trade, that is no reason why we
should elevate him into an irresponsible dictatorship,
and bow down submissively to his high behests, how-
ever strongly convinced of the injustice, the impolicy,
and impropriety of his arguments. We therefore felt it
to be an imperative duty to resist the proposition
which he made at Manchester for a factious and un-
warrantable opposition to the present Ministry—not
in reference to the measures that they may be en-
shied actually to introduce into either House, but as to
what they might be disposed to do if they had
the power. If ever there was a point satisfactorily
disposed of, it is that there will be no attempt to in-
troduce anything in the shape of a duty on
the importation of foreign corn, either for
the purpose of protection or revenue during
the present session of Parliament. It has been
clearly, distinctly, and unequivocally shelved until the
voice of public opinion shall, with full notice, be
called upon to pronounce its judgment—a final judg-
ment, so far as the Protectionists are concerned—but
one that would lead to interminable contests if, by
any possibility, the cause of monopoly should gain a
temporary triumph. Why then revive the question ?
Why compel the party either to bring forward un-
tenable measures, or to renounce opinions which
they have a right to maintain, so long as they take
no steps to carry them into practical execution ? Let
us see what may be offered by the Government in
the way of social, legal, or financial re-
forms. The LIOMB SECRETARY only yesterday
spoke of the propriety of a re-adjustment of taxation ;
that is our own opinion, and why should we en-
deavour to force back into office those who are
opposed to every amendment, and would retain
the ancient abuses with all their iniquities ?
When we hear the Ministerial plan we shall be
equally willing to receive a tender from the Whigs
and Peelites, and then, without reference to former
quarrels, to bestow the prize upon the most deserving
—on those who offer the greatest boons
to the industrious classes. This is our object,
and we believe that it is what would prove
most beneficial for the community ; while we are
firmly convinced that the course recommended by
Mr. COBDEN at Manchester, but, we are
happy to say, scarcely touched on at Leeds,
would be highly prejudicial to the interests '
of the community. For that reason, and that
only, we opposed Mr. COBDEN, and as firm and un-
flinching Free-traders endeavoured to point out the
propriety, the justice of showing fair play to the pre-
sent Administration, and not forcing the question
upon them until they exhibit an unequivocal detenni,
nation to bri❑g it forward.