The Sun.
London, England, 1830-12-29 00:00:00

+:ay.

• ttiggo•tted oppreseor on the throne of France ?
(Applause.)— base two unjust and unnecessary
wars, Mid the extravagance of Government, uncon-
trolled by the. nominal representatives of the public,
have entailed a debt en this country of SOO millions.
People say—who cares for the national debt ? But
if it prevents our paying our own debts, it is certainly
of some consequence—(Laughter)—and we know
that when both cannot be paid, the takes levied to pay
the interest of tbenational debt have a preference to all
other claims, even to those of the widow and orphan.
The very interest of this debt is nearly 30 millions,
and it is the chief cause of our national poverty and
distress; the current expences of the Government
are 20 millions more, and ten per cent. for col-
lection adds other five, making together 55 millions.
From various calculations, it appears that the
taxes are about 40 per cent. on the whole ex-
penditure of the country, so that the man who is
obliged to pay 100/. for the annual expense of his
family, pays 40/. of that as taxes; 241. of which goes
to pay the interest of the nationa debt, and 161. to-
wards the current expences of Government.—
(Heer.)—lt the House of Commons had repre-
sented the people for the last 50 or 60 years, the
taxes necessary for the support of the Government
would not exceed 10 per cent., vt hich would be a sav-
ing to the country Of :10 per cent. in all its expendi-
ture, which saving would generally be laid out in
improvements,wouldgive employment to workmen of
every craft, and diffuse wealth and prosperity through-
Out the country; instead of beings: it is now, given
to the fundholders„ and sometimes lent to Austria,
Spain, and Portugal, for the support of armies to
suppress liberty. Meny of those who supported
the present system, are now ready to admit that a
change is necessary for the safety of the country,
but they are solukeWarm in the cause of improve-
Ment that they say, as the members of the Govern-
ment are pledged to a Reform in Parliament, it is
not necessary for the public to give it any counte-
nance or support. "It you, Sir," said Mr. Mackay,
" were travelling with a friend, and were attacked
by robberit, and, instead of giving you any assist-
ance, . your friend remarked, I know you are so
brave as to require no assistance from me, I will
knit look on until I see you fairly knocked dawn.—
_ (Laud laughter.)' I think you would be ready to
coneltide that hie friendly assistance would be rather
.r.y'..late, not only for you, Sir, but also for himself who
.:..7:tnight be attacked in his turn." We have reason to
tejolce that we have at length a Cabinet pledged to
improvement, and that our patriotic Sovereign made
choice of such Councillors as are well known to the
nation by their splendid abilities, as the advocates of
every just and liberal measure, calculated to improve
the condition of their fellow men. But we know
that a liberal Ministry were never able hitherto, in
this country, to keep their places for any considerable
time, and why ? Because the state of the House of '
Commons was so corrupt, that, (as a Magistrate of
Aberdeen said of the Burgh system), no honest man
could keep his seat in it.—(Cries of hear, and laugh-
ter.) Many will readily come forward now as Re-
formers, like the enemies of the Jews, who offered
their assistance to build the temple, for the express
purpose of hindering the work, but such assistance
was not to be relied on. The people must do their
duty. Mr. Mackay concluded by expressing his con-
vietion that it was the duty of every enlightened and
Wall-disposed man, however humble his station or
ability, to support this measure, as well as every
other which might appear calculated to give bread
to the Industrie:nee to prevent legal oppression, and
promote the happiness of the people in general, and
to wort the stability of the throne by Justice and
mercy 'in the affections of a loyal and patriotic people.
Mr. TitOilSON, banker, seconded the resolution
snored by Mr. Mackay—" I do so," said he, " with
much pleasure, because it really appears to contain
not only the sum and, substance of all the previous
resolutiono, but in fact all we have to ask. It prays
Prism incvetteed Repretentetion of Semiarid in the
Commone Woo of Perliament, anti for an exten-
sion of the Elective Franchise, leaving the extent
thereof and details to the wisdom of Parliament.
That an increased Representation has become abso-
lutely necessary, few have now the hardihood to
deny, and that an extension of the franchise is equally
so, no one in the slightest degree acquainted with
the system of Perliamentaryßepresentetion in Scot-
land wilt, foj sonoment,,call in question. After all
that, has already been said on this subject, it were
needless for me 'to take up the time of the meeting
by dilating upOn it, for in fact, I could only recaps-
inlets a part of whet has already been so ably urged.
This much, I may say, however, that these resole-
: Lions have my most perfect and hearty concurrence.
In regard to what , has been stated, as to the pre-
priety
.or Impropriety of now, respectfully submitting
our grievance to Parliament, I would Just beg to
make this remark—that it appears to me, a very
large proportion of the reset:amble Burgesses of
atemisaid have been all their lives calling for Reform,
and now that a liberal and enlightened Ministry say
their demands shall be listened to, I do think it is
our duty, not only as liege subject., but as good ci-
tizens, to go forward and tell them what it is we
really do want. Our doing so will, in my opinion,
not only strengthen the hands of G ivetiuent, but
enable Ministers to mature and submit their plans
of Reform with more energy and confidence, know-
ing that they have the support and approbation of
the country at large."—(Applause,)
Mr.REactt, Solicitor, moved the eighth resolution,
which related to the presentation of- the petitions.
The Committee were of opinion that the petition
should ha entrusted only to Members of the Admi-
nistration, both because they individually stand
pledged to the cruse of Reform, and because it is
one of the objects of such proceedings as the present
to strengthen the bands of the King's Ministers in
the great, but difficult, measure they have under-
taken; a measure which will consolidate, by purify-
ing the Constitution ; will extend its blessings and
promote the best interests of the people. Of the
idinistati in the Upper House, the two most pro-
minent are Earl Grey, the Premier, end Lord Chan-
cellor Brougham ; both distinguished throughout the
whole course of their political lives, as the able, in-
alafirtigehht, and eloquent advocates of Reform. Of
thee/ two,the Lord Chancellor comes peculiarly re-
otnattnindell to our choice, from his having been born
and rmintested in :our own country, and from his
having been horn a Seats advocate, whereby he has
stcrptired a perfect knowledge of the defects of our
nepresentatiee system, and is probably better quali-
fied thou any other individual to suggest and apply
the prom remedy. Aniopg the Members of Ad-
inismitration in the House of Commons, their atten-
sinn wars rstortilly.guided, in the first, place, to the
Right. Hon. Charles Grant, the Representative (in
io ter as wider the existing system they. would allow
that name) of the County, and who was known not
andy to them,: but _to the whole kingdom, as a moan
of value mid integrity, of great political aformatime
mintllo( sere and splendid endowments of mind. In
.Makiott this +selection, the Committee did not lose
4 sight atthe fact, that this being a petition from the
Burgh of Inverness, it should be transmitted to the
resent Member for the Burgh. But this would be
14 variance with their leading principle, of selecting
Members of Administration as the solo medium
through which their motives should be conveyed to
the legislature. They ;newt no.petsonal disrespect
to Col. Millie. It was well observed that many
Members of Parliament act rightly: in spite of the
system wider which they are elected; end without
advertieg to the claims of his talented tied eloquent
ptedieessor in the representation of this Burgh,
they must all adroit that Colonel Beillie's own
amass • to. their support were very considerable.
Bora asti.hronght up in tins town, he here acquired
(to borrow hie own expression) thoseptioeiples and
habit* which coitiutted him to wealth turd power in
another, country, And since his return from India
be kiss evinced bif Ititnahniant to his native place by
various itell which helloed not anumeritte., Ile,
hoped therefeee that Cot Millie would not consider
them as shown any alt must in him. On the cari-
trarydie mooted. ire would give his. support to the
salsas d the petition; and hi s sdoing so would not
lemon his chance of .1103101 at Its, next canvass. He