The Sun.
London, England, 1837-10-24 00:00:00

DUBLIN-MONDAY.

(PROBI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.
" When Pompey was desired not to set sail in a tempest that
would hazard his bfe—' it is necessary for me,' says he, to
sail, but it is not necessary for me to live.' Every man
should say to himself, with the same spirit, it is my duty to
speak truth, though it is not my duty to be in office."—
ADDISON.

Such was the language of the distinguished writer above
quoted, at a period when the throne was filled by the last
female predecessor of our present young and illustrious
Queen. It was called forth by the state of parties in that
day, which in some degree resembled the political struggle
in which the empire is now engaged ; and it is not a little
strange, that the same evil—disregard of truth—should ,be
complained of in the reign of two Monarchs differing as
much in years and royal disposition, as the times in which
they lived differ in the interests and exigencies of their
people.
No subject, at this moment, more occupies the minds of
many observant persons than the degraded state of a very
great proportion of the public press. There is indeed de-
moralization enough, and an abandonment of that high
spirit of manly pride and consistency, which should always
characterise public men in promoting the public service of their
country, to be met with on every side ; so as to render impar-
tial and disinterested observers heartily tired of the efforts
made by both Whig and Tory to secure for themselves place
and power. But passing events exhibit nothing so deplorable
to the community at large as the prostitution of so many
members of what has been so properly called the " fourth
estate of these realms." And though the Liberal journals
have not degraded themselves by contending with their ad-
versaries in the system of lying lately introduced, it is to
be regretted that too many of them forget that they are
the watch-dogs of the nation ; and in the discharge of their
duty they show a greater disposition to fawn upon, than
give notice of approaching danger to the guardians of the
people. It is as painful to be obliged to have recourse to
these insinuations, as it would be invidious to except many
from the general imputation. But as Earl Mulgrave's
Government has begun its administration on the broadest
principles of equal and impartial justice, and as it still pro-
fesses to pursue the same course, it is due to them, as well
as to the public, that all their acts should be commented
upon with perfect freedom and independence ; and the
more so, because Ireland must continue for some few years,
as she has hitherto been, to be the arena on which Whig
and Tory policy are to struggle for supremacy. There are
two questions at this moment pending, of vital importance :
Ist, whether the General Association should he dissolved ; and
2dly,how far it is expedient to comply with the suggestions of
O'Connell's last letter, respecting the meeting of Liberal
Peers and Members of Parliament in Dublin before the
meeting of Parliament. On both questions there are dif-
ferences of opinion amongst Reformers, though the press is
silent on the subject. Some say, Lord Melbourne's Cabi-
net, under the influence of that party in England so much
prejudiced of late against this country by the falsehoods
and vituperation of the Tory press, will be embarrassed by
further demonstrations of the wishes and determination of
the Irish people, as tending to increase English prejudices.
Others say, that while we are denied Corporate Reform
and an adjustment of the tithe question, we should continue
to knock loudly at the gates of the Constitution, regardless
of the offence we may give our enemies, or even the more
pusillanimous of our friends—and that our clamour should
be defended, rather than palliated or half censured, by a
Reforming Government, as was the case last Session with
regard to the General Association. Now, too many of the
Liberal party seem afraid to speak their sentiments on
these important subjects ; and the press encourages rather
thou dissipates the apprehension.
As to the fabrications of the Tory press, here and in
England, they excite indignation in some, and contempt in
others. In one company you hear it said the Times ought
to be prosecuted, as the best means of refuting its calum-
nies, and conveying to Englishmen correct notions of Ire-
land, and Earl Mulgrave's Administration. In another, the
ignominy of silence is thought to he the most judicious
meaus of counteracting the intended mischief and villainy—
allowing that journal and its brethren to perish in the in-
tensity of their falsehood and rage. Conformably to this
view, I transmit an extract from the writer already quoted.
Tt.ere are many authors," says Addison, " who have
shown wherein the malignity of a lie consists, and set forth
in pr.!per colours the heinousness of the offence. I shall
bore con-ider one particular kind of this crime, which has
not been so much spoken to—l mean that abeininablc
practice of party lying. This vice is so very predominant
tonongst us at present, that a man is thought of no prin-
ciples who does not propagate a certain system of lies.
The coffee-houses are supported by them, the press is
choked with them, eminent authors live upon them—our
bottle comersation is so infected with them, that a piety
lie is grown as fashionable an entertainment as a lively
catch or a merry story. The truth of it is—half the groat
talkers in the nation would be struck dumb, were this foun-
tain of discourse dried up. There is, however, one advan-
tage resulting from this detestable practice—the very ap-
pearances if troth are so little regarded, that lies are at
present discharged in the air, and begin to hurt nobody.
When we hear a party story from a stranger, we consider
whether be is a Whig or Tory that relates it, and imme-
diately conclude they are words of course, in which the
honest gentleman designs to recommend his zeal, without
any concern for his veracity. A man is looked upon as
reft of common sense that gives credit to the relations of
party writers—nay, his own friends (qurero, Wellington
and Peel ?) shake their heads at him, and consider him in
no other light than an officious tool, or a well-meaning idiot.
When it was formerly the fashion to husband a lie, anti
trump it up on some extraordinary emergency, it generally
did execution, and was not a little serviceable to the faction
that made use of it ; but at present every man is upon his
guard—tirc artifice has been too often repeated to take
cffoct."