The Sun.
London, England, 1852-03-12 00:00:00

04) 4°‘
int

LONDON, FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1852.

If anything had been required to demonstrate still
more clearly the abandoment of all sense of political
decency by Lord JOHN RUSSELL, conclusive evidence
would have been afforded by the proceedings of yes-
terday. Proceedings more ungenerous under the cir-
Tmstances have never before disgraced the annals of
Parliamentary Oppesidan. Proceedings more factious
of their kind have never before elicited from the pub-
lie journalist the expressions of a conscientious con-
demnation. It needed only this to assure us
that the late
PRIME MUSTER is entirely
ignorantHisnfeotah_uee,
meaning
of the word mag
innani-
.
d towards his successor will be
contrasted by the future annalist with that displayed
towards himself by his brave-hearted and noble-
minded predecessor. To maintain, as Lord JOHN
RUSSELL maintained yesterday, that there is any
parity between the policy adopted by himself at the
present juncture, and that adventured upon by Sir
ROBERT PEEL in 1846, is disingenuous beyond the
limits even of plausibility,
in reality there is no
resemblance whatever between the situation of the
Russell Government then and that of the Derby Go-
vernment now-a-drys. There is an absence of all simi-
larity even in appearance. The present Cabinet has
own
aga-
been called into existence not through itss
rero eager
assiduity in striving to attain the power andw
tives of aiministratiou. It Las been suddenly and
unexpectedly summoned into being by the weakness
of a Ministry which had lost all its former influence
over the population. The pretence that by the eleva-
tion to power, thus summarily, of the Earl of
DERBY and his political supoorters necessitates
the reversal of our commercial system, is on the
very :face of it a wilful sham and a deliberate
delusion. From the very commencement we
have insisted upon this. From the very outset we
have maintained that there is about as much likeli-
hood of a restoration of the system of. monopoly as
thee is of an interference with the laws regulating
the movements of the planets. To declare otherwise
is to assert what is contrary to the speaker's own se-
cret convictions, or to acknowledge a doubt in the
stability of free trade---a doubt altogether incompatible
with a right sense of its wisdom, its efficacy, and
its popularity. Hence we deemed it our
duty, as Free-traders, to discountenance forthwith
and entirely the course threatened by the Hon.
Representative for Wolverhampton—declaring that
course, as we did not shrink from doing, to be nothing
less than factious, because glaringly unnecessary.
Factious, however, though the course projected by
Mr. VILLIERS was, it was not factious enough by
any means for Lord JOHN RUSSELL. The promised mo-
tion was not calculated to interfere sneedily enough
with what, under the most advantageous cir-
cumstances, could not fail to be the very
difficult-, movements of the Government. It has con-
sequently been withdrawn in compliance with the
suggestion of the magnanimous Leader of the Opposi-
sior, who yesterday,
in the presence of 168 Members
of the Lower House, assembled in solemn conclave at
his private resiesae, announced his determination to
throw an obstaee in the sv -
of the new Cabinet as
early its Alionday next. 111y3ing received from the
Right Hon. the CitaNceLl!", of the EXCHEQUEU an
answer to a letter, inquiring whether.O.L
her AJESTICS

Ministers would be prepared to explain at
once their intended policy in reference to Free
Trade or Protection, Lord dorm RUSSELL in-
formed the meeting yesterday that that answer bad
proved so far evasive that he, the Noble Lord, was
resolved upon immediately forcing the Government
into the necessity of an explanation. After informing
his " kyind friends" that such was the generous con-
clusion at which he had arrived, the late PREMIER in-
timated in a tone of flattering significance, and of
seductive insinuation, that in the event of his own
ultimate restoration to office, he proposed laying be-
fore Parliament a new Reform Bill, such as he con-
ceived would be more generally acceptable to the
population.
The meaning of all this is surely sufficiently
transparent. It affords only another testimony, and
this, moreover, a very sorry one, that the Whig
PREMIER is true to his political antecedents. In
office he does nothing, or next to nothing—out of
office he promises everything, and, by his specious
assurance, makes the mouths of the more credulous
water for the advent of the time when he might re
sume the reins of government. We do not
think, however, the public are to be cajoled
again so very readily. We don't think the Noble
Lord will be afforded once more an opportunity of
falsifying his own declarations. The experience the
nation has reaped from the last five or six years of
his mal-administration is not likely, we conceive, to
render the people solicitous for the speedy restoration
of his party. The people, indeed, are sick
of them to very nausea ; they are sick of
the GREYS and of the ELLIOTS, of the WOODS
and of the RUSSELLS ; they are sick of
their ill-temper and their imbecility, of their egre-
gious place-hunting and their aristocratic predilec-
tions. The multitude is as likely to demand the
elevation of Mr. TAPER to the rank of one of the
Lords of the Treasury, or to require the transforma-
tion of Mr. TeIt•oLE into a Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, or to clamour for the re-appointment of
the Right Hon. NICHOLAS RIGBY as Chief Secre-
tary the Board of Admiralty—as to betray
any anxiety to witness the resumption of
power by the late incompetent leaders of the Ad-
ministration.

It is manifest enough from the proceedings re-
ferred to above, the proceedings which must
be long and appropriately associated with Ches-
ham-placo, that Lord JOHN RUSSELL IS
bidding eagerly for the renewal of his
authority as First Lord of the Treasury. Not thus
acted Sir ROBERT PEEL, a statesman as enlightened
as he was magnanimous. Nay, if we might judge
correctly from the facts which came to light yester-
day, we believe we could announce with all accuracy
that as eagerly as Lord JOHN RUSSELL is bidding
anew for the Premiership, so also is Mr. JOHN
BRIGHT bidding for the principal post at the Horse
Guards. And, what is yet more, we look forward
with equal confidence to the re-appointment of
Lord JOHN RUSSELL as Prime Minister, and to the
nomination of Mr. JOHN BRIGHT as Commander-in-
Chief of the Forces. Among all those 168 Members
assembled yesterday, in Chesham-place, two only
vindicated by word of mouth their title
as Liberal representatives—the Hon. Member for
Finsbury insisting upon the superior necessity of
fur warding the cause of Parliamentary reform, instead
of bringing forward this Quixotic onslaught upon the
windmills of Monopoly and the wine-skins of
Protection—and the veteran Member for Montrose
sarcastically maintaining that there was at this mo-
ment not a jot less need for Lord JOHN RUSSELL than
Ifor the Earl of DERBY, to explain the nature of the
principles upon which he would be prepared to con-
duct the labours of her MAJESTY'S Government.

It is more than probable that, before many weeks
have elapsed, there will be a dissolution of Parlia-
ment, and that the several constituencies throughout
the length and breadth of the land will be again
called upon to exercise the important trust confided
to their charge, to select fit and proper persons to
represent their feelings and wishes in the Imperial
Parliament. The duty is at all times one of vast
importance, but it is more particularly so on the
present occasion. The commercial policy of the
nation is about to be placed on trial. The
people may be called upon to decide between
Free Trade and Protection, between untaxed bread
and a small loaf. We entertain not the slightest doubt
as to what the result will be whenever the appeal may,
be made to the country. If there were even a possi-
bility of a Parliamentary majority in favour of a corn-
law, either in the shape of a sliding-scale or a fixed
duty, the voice of public opinion would be sufficiently
potent to prevent the revival of the obnoxious impost.
No Ministry would dare to bring in such a law, and
we cannot suppose that even the most sanguine Pro-
tectionist would not think it dearly bought at
the expense of the internecine conflict that would in-
evitably arise. We trust and believe, however, that
the question may not arise, but that the different
agricultural constituencies will be contented to ac-
cept the Act of 1846 as a final settlement of the
vexata questio, and look to other remedial measures
that would prove exceedingly beneficial to their
order, and which would receive the general concur-
rence of the industrious classes.

It is not, however, material for the purposes of
our present argument to consider the course that
may be pursued, or the policy indicated :by the dif-
ferent candidates ; we would rather direct the public
attention to the duty of the electors, and those pos-
sessing, or supposed to possess, extraordinary influ-
ence, whether as landlords or employers, at the
present crisis. And, first, as to the electors, more
particularly in the smaller boroughs. It must now be
manifest to all such parties that the tricks and schemes
which have heretofore been practised with compara-
tive impunity can no longer be tolerated. They may
receive a salutary lesson from the course adopted with
respect to St. Albans. It will, if properly con-
sidered, convince them that it is the fixed and de-
liberate determination of Parliament to put down
bribery, treating, and the various phases of corrup-
tion with the strong hand, that no compromise be-
tween opponents—both of whom may be equally im-
plicated in discreditable practices—will prevent the
most stringent and searching inquiries, if suspicion
be excited, and that the necessary investigations will
be conducted before far more efficient tribunals
than the Committees which have heretofore
decided upon such matters. The ex-PRE-
MIER has announced his intention of going
on even during the present session with the Corrupt
Practices at Elections Bill. But even if that mea-
sure should not receive the legislative sanction pre-
vious to the dissolution, there can be but little doubt
that a similar proposition will be carried at the com-
mencement of the sittings of the new Parliament, and
that it will, to a certain extent, have an ex post facto
operation, bringing all matters that may occur at
the general election under its operation. The
precedent with respect to St. Albans will
throw considorable light on this subject, and
show what persons indulging in such unjustifiable
practices may reasonably anticipate. It will incumbentthere-
forehe
borough
on all electors who desire
to avoid political annihilation to act fairly and above
board, convinced that
any deviation from the line of
duty
must bela:tineontabolfy expiated.
those
persons to a letter from
.A. 3 to landlords and employers, we would earnestly
invite the atote
a venerable and venerated patriot to his tenantry on
the subject of the approaching contest for
representation y or lei
the represen of the county Lord
e
CLONCURILY'S name, and his sterling, ighnainded inte-
grityl,yin that any eul '
are so well known, °g1U1:11 on our
part must be absolutely unnecessary. It
carries
with it a higher title than any which the favour
ch could confer,monar
of a mere earthlylle
may be mistaken in some points—for who
ja perfect but We are convinced that
he never advocated any cause from improper mo-
tives—that during his prolonged life he invariably
gave expression to the true feelings 0f his heart.
This distinguished Nobleman, then, has written to
the tenantry on his extensive estates, a circular,
which we cannot deny ourselves the plea-
sure of publishing in extenso, and which
1
may serve as a model for other ,an—rilords •
He expresses his own feelings, as any man is justly
entitled to do, but scrupulously y abstains from any
undue interference. We shall, however, give his
Lardslip's own words :-
4, An humble' but not the least sincere of your friends,
though retired from public life, thinks it a paramount

duty to call your attention to the addresses for the ap-
proaching election. No candidate says a word about
repeal; yet is repeal the one thing needful, the only
hope for the salvation or regeneration of your country.
It is, I verily believe, tho heartfelt desire of nine-tenths
of the honest and thinking men of Ireland, dormant
though it be in our misery.
" But great emphasis seems laid on the subject of re-
ligion. Ireland can never prosper while any difference
exists among us on that subject, or any desire to in-
terfere with or inquire into the feelings or opinions
of our neighbours. Protection also is a favourite
cry, and a very fooliah one, which will not humbug
the people of England, nor, I hope, my sharp-witted
countrymen. Wheat we should not attempt to
grow ; in oats, flax, potatoes, green crops, and
cattle we stand unrivalled. There Reed be no misunder-
standing about tenant-right; the landlord is dependent
on the tenant, as the tenant on him; their interests
must go together if either party is to prosper. Careless
and absentee landlords have suffered in these sad times
as well as their tenants; a mutually beneficial agree-
ment should be made in open court, and enforced.
" As to the elective franchise, it belongs exclusively
to the tenant, and should be protected by the ballot. I
never dared to dictate on such a subject; the dishonest
man who would corrupt our electors would sell his
country. Our misfortunes have been greatly enhanced
by the dishonest men who, pretending to be Repealers,
sold themselves to the Ministers for paltry places, and
prevented you from recovering the constitution of 1782.

" Your affectionate friend,

" Maretimo,;al 10. " dLoNctrnme."
We shall not allude to the subject of repeal, which
has, fortunately for all parties, been long shelved.
We can, however, respect the fidelity to the cause
which once created such intense excitement, exhi-
bited by the Noble Lord. There is, however, real
truth conveyed in the earnest deprecation of religious
animosities, and the assertion that "Ireland can never
prosper while any difference exists on that subject, or
any desire to interfere with or inquire into
the feelings or opinions of our neigh-
bours." There is sound instruction, too, on
the point of Protection, " a favourite cry, and a
very foolish one." We cordially concur with his
Lordship in believing that it will never again " hum-
bug the people of England," nor the "sharp-witted"
inhabitants of Ireland.

The great, the important portion of this admirable
epistle, which every landlord throughout the entire
kingdom should ponder, is contained in the first por-
tion of the concluding paragraph. Lord CLONCUREY
tells us, that " as to the elective franchise, it belongs
exclusively to the tenant, and should be protected by
the ballot." This is a truth which Lord JOHN RUSSELL
should have learned before he brought forward his
quasi-Reform Bill, endeavouring rather to preserve
the balance of parties than to obtain a full and fair
representation of the people. Let every man who
might think of exerting his influence (1 !) in
favour of a particular candidate consider the
next sentence emanating from a Nobleman who has
gained golden opinions from men of all classes, creeds,
and parties. " I never (said the veteran Peer) dared
to dictate on such a subject; THE DISHONEST MAN
WHO WOULD CORRUPT OUR ELECTORS WOULD SELL HIS
COUNTRY." The sentiment should be inscribed
in golden letters at the head of every address to
electors. It should sink deep into the minds of
voters, and all with whom such voters might be in
sny degree connected, so that the latter might be
ashamed to offer, and the former might indig-
nantly repudiate any undue interference. The
letter is, however, eminently deserving of a calm
and attentive perusal, and as such we earnestly com-
mend it to the consideration of the community, more
especially of those who may speedily be called upon
to bestow their suffrages on the most deserving
claimants.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
The decree on the University which appeared in
the Moniteur of Wednesday is viewed rather disfa-
vourably by several of the journals which do not
habitually support the Government. Neither the
Debats, the Assembles Nationale, nor the Union, lend
it their countenance in their several' articles of yes-
terday.
M. ARMAND MARRAST is no more'. His death is
thus noticed in the Siicle :
One of the most distinguished and able journalists
of our day has just fallen, after a long and severe ill-
ness. Paris and France will remember what M. Armand
Marrast was after the revolution of February, as Mem-
ber of the Provisional Government and as Mayor of
Paris, and there is not a member of the Constituent
Assembly but must retain the remembrance of the dig-
nified and intelligent manner in which he presided over
that body. M. Marrast, who had en attack of apoplexy
in November last, died yesterday afternoon. We do not
yet know what day has been fixed for his interment."
On the 6th instant the sub-prefect of Toulon, ac-
companied by the colonel commandant of the garrison,
went to Fort Lamalgue to set at liberty such prisoners
in confinement there as had been placed by the deci-
sion of the mixed commission under the surveillance
of the general police. When informed in the morning
of the intentions of the authorities towards them, they
expressed their satisfaction and gratitude by cries of
" Vive Napoleon !" and " Vive le President !" and
when the sub-prefect, before releasing them, addressed
to them some words of advice as to their future con-
duct, the same cries were repeated. The number of
persons set at liberty amounts to 238.
The Superior Council of Public Instruction has
been convoked by the Minister of Public Instruction
for an extraordinary sitting on Monday, the 15th.
" Tho Minister of Public instruction," says the
Debate, " applied to M. ST. MARC GIRARDIN to ac-
cept the place of inspector general of the University,
in the section of letters. M. ST. MARC GIRARDIN,
however, considered that he ought not to separate
from his old colleagues of the permanent section,
which is suppressed by the new decree. He remains
professor at the Faculty of Letters, and, as member
of the Institute, forming part of the superior council,
he will perform the gratuitous duties which the
new decree preserves to the members of that council."
The members of the superior council of public in-
struction who cease to form part of it in consequence
of the decree of the 19th instant, are—MM. TRIERS,
member of the Consistory of the Reformed Church,
BETBSIONTI DE ST. AIGNAN, DUPIN, LAPLAGNE-
BARRIS, FLOURENS, BEUGNOT, ORFILA, DUBOIS,
COUSIN, and LABBE.
The Count DE MONTALEMBERT, whom several
journals declared to have visited Brussels, has, says
the Patrie, never quitted Paris.
M. GUINARD has been released unconditionally
from his confinement at Doullens.
We read in the Preese :—" The differences
between the French Government and the Helvetic
Confederation are asserted to be at an end. If we
are to attach faith to a version, strange enough,
which we have heard, the arrangement has been con-
cluded at Lyons between General Duroun and a
political personage, not our Minister of Foreign
Affairs. Mutual concessions are said to have been
made."

--.
The sale of the library of the late King Louis
Philippe commenced on Monday night in the Salle Syl-
vestre, Rue des Bons Enfans, and will continue, it is
calculated, for about a month. The catalogue is par-
ticularly rich in manuscripts and poems of the thir-
teenth and fourteenth centuries, amongst which the
most precious is the famous romance of " Perceforest,"
the sole copy existing, and which it is supposed will
fetch upwards of 10,000 f. ; in fact, it is affirmed
that a commission has been sent from London to
offer as high as that sum for the work. When Neuilly
was sacked in 1848 a great part of the library was
injured, but a vast number of high interest still re-
mains, many being splendidly bound, and bearing the
arms of the Duchess of Orleans, mother of King Louis
Philippe. The proceedings of Monday night pre-
sented nothing very worthy of interest, with the
exception of the sale of a beautiful manuscript in
ten volumes quarto, containing the life and doc-
trines of Jesus Christ. This work was written
in 1772 by an abbe, and imitates perfectly,
from one end to the other, the printed character.
This work, which was given to Louis Philippe by
Carrere, the member of the convention, was knocked
down for 250 f. The crowd was so great during the
evening in the room, which is of exceedingly limited
dimensions, that it is thought probable that some other
place will be chosen for the sale before it has gone on
much longer.
Workmen have commenced the demolition of all the
old buildings appertaining to the Palace of the Elysee,
and now forming the stables, guard-house, and
offices of the President's residence. New construc-
tions are to be erected in their place, more in harmony
effeetualtahamt
with the main building.
The Prefect of the Seine has just given his appro-
bation to a project for deepening the Seine between
the Pont de la Concorde and the Pont d'lena, in so
gd_epe
aptehn.
banks which now impede the navigation between the
antnweor as to remove the rocks and sand-
part
o f Particularth the
r river nearest
report Some alarm was created on the Bourse by a
of the Conservative Govern•
ments of the Swiss Confederation had been over-
thrown by the extreme As nobody,
Radical arty•
however, could tell the Cantons in which.
those occurrences tool names
of
the
said that
place, and as some .
th© change in the
Governments had been accomplished
by election, and Lot by f
woe, the report was believed
to be an invention.
The Bourse was extremely heavy, with scarcely any
btlaiDe3 doing in Government s' • it Hwy.)?
Securities. a
Shares declined slightly. Orleans Railway Shares,

1,170 f.; Rouen, 690 f.; Havre, 271 f. 25c.; Great North-
ern, 620 f. ; Avignon, 245 f.; Vierzon, 546 f. 25c.; Basle,
226 f. 25c.; Bordeaux, 478 f. 75c; Paris and Strasburg,
511 f. 25c.; Tours and Nantes, 317±. 505.; Paris and
Lyons, 590 f.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, MARCH 11.
Boulogne and Amiens, 12%—Dutch Rhenish, VA—Namur
and Liege, 6% Northern of France, 20% Paris and
Lyons, 9%—Paris and Strasbourg, 201/ ex d.—Rouen and
Havre, 10%4—Tours and Nantes, 911.