The Sun.
London, England, 1837-07-21 00:00:00

,43m.

LONDON,
FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 21, 1837.

We are now on the eve of the most momentous
contest in which a nation was ever engaged. If ever
there was a time when it was the duty of every sincere
friend to his country, whether acting publicly, or in a
private and individual capacity, to employ his most
strenuous efforts to inform the ignorant, to encourage
the fearful, to stimulate the indifferent, to confirm the
wavering, and to sustain the weak and the oppressed—
that time is the present most important juncture. We
may call it an important and critical juncture, because
on the result of the present election will mainly depend
whether our youthful Sovereign will be enabled to
adopt the liberal principles in which she has been
happily educated, and to follow them, so much to her
own satisfaction, and to the well-being and happiness
of her dominions, that they may become her rule of
conduct, throughout a reign as long and as prosperous
as her most dutiful and loyal subject can desire ; or
whether she will turn from them with disgust, and
commit herself and her councils to the guidance of
that party, from which we have received so large an
amount of evil in the past, and from which we can
anticipate nothing but evil for the future.
It is this party which, with a firmness and unani-
mity that would adorn a better cause, is widely exert-
ing itself throughout the country, to arrest and repel
the progress of education and intellectual improvement,
and the members of which strive to put down religious
liberty, by rejecting from their service and employment
those who think it their duty to worship their Maker
in any other mode than that prescribed by the Church
of England, and menace old and faithful servants with
dismissal, if they, or the members of their families, are
seen in a congregation of Dissenters. It is this party
which arms itself with the same base weapons of in-
timidation to annihilate the civil liberties of the people,
by coercing their votes, and virtually depriving them
of their elective franchise ; threatening servants, clerks,
and agents with the forfeiture of their places; trades-
people and mechanics with the loss of their employ-
ment ; and tenants with ejection from their farms, if
they do not yield implicit submission to a despotic
authority, which tramples under foot the inalienable
rights of man.

It is, undoubtedly, a serious thing for those,
whether ranked with the poor or not, who are
dependent on the fruits of their exertions for the
maintenance of their families, to encounter the risk of
the execution of such threats. But those who yield
to them have not merely to suffer the reproaches of
their neighbours for their cowardice, and the stings of
conscience for their desertion of principle : they must
have the bitter reflection that they are addinr,
incal-
culably to the difficulties and hardships of their more

conscientious and consistent neighbours. Let them
bear in mind that when they condescend to accept the
bribes of an unprincipled faction, whether in the form
of averted vengeance, or of more degrading favour,
they are tamely allowing shackles to be riveted upon
their arms, which they will leave as an ignominious in-
heritance to their offspring.

Those, on the other hand, who disdain to yield, yet
dread the consequences of resistance, may rest -assured
that, if they are firm and united, they will have little
to fear. Let each redouble his exertions to render his
services more faithful and efficient—the agent proving
that he is indispensable to his employer, the tenant
that he is invaluable to his landlord. The inevitable
result will be, that they will rise in estimation, and that
the Tories will be compelled to show their only true
conservatism, in retaining for themselves those advan-
tages for which they can find no substitute, provided
the liberal part of the people remain unshaken.
Let no man undervalue the importance of his vote,
and think that it is of no public consequence which
way he may give it, to advance his own private and
sordid ends. On the contrary, let every one regard
his own as if it were the casting and decisive vote, for
the disposal of which he must answer to his country
and his conscience. In this quiet, but irresistible
course, the mighty power of the people would be exhi-
bited with unexampled clearness, and its preserving
and progressively ennobling tendencies conspicuously
displayed.

At the Anniversary Dinner of the LicenSed Vic-
tuallers' Society, which took place yesterday, and
for a report of which we are indebted... to our
Liberal Contemporary, the Morning 4ilvertiser,
Mr. LEADER alluded with just severity_ .to the
calumnies circulated against him by the Tory fac-
tion. " Certain papers "he said, " had thought
proper to charge him - with being a Destructive—a
Revolutionist—and one who would injure property.
He begged to deny the charge. It was a calumnious
lie, and he believed the parties knew at the time
they gave it publicity that it was a lie." NO
doubt they did, but when did their knowing a
charge to be false, ever prevent the Tories from
hazarding it ? Look- at the preposterous lies—which
they well know to be lies—which they have spread
abroad this very day in the columns of an influential
Tory journal I Can anything be more atrocious?
But the truth is, the Tories are desperate, and despe-
ration, as we all know, is not over fastidious. Had these
creatures any character to lose, they would act with
more respect for appearances, but they have none ;
and consequently are perfectly ready—as JONATHAN
would say—" to lie thro' a deal board." Dr. JOHNSON
used to contend that "the Devil was the first Whig," but
we are now morally convinced that he was the first
Tory ; and, moreover, that his legitimate offspring
have in no respect degenerated from their respected Sire.
Yet infamous as are all these Tory lies, we should
not have dreamed of alluding to them, had it not been
for the purpose of putting well-intentioned, but some-
what silly, people, on their guard. To all such we would
say, make a point of disbelieving whatever the Tories
tell you orally, or through the medium of their jour-
nals ; or if you will not disbelieve, at least suspend
your faith for a few hours ; for, rely on it, that their
assertion of to-day will be proved to be rank falsehood
to-morrow. Look at their conduct towards General
EVANS They roundly swore that he had been in-
strumental in the flo2ging of women ; whereas, it is
now proved that he was averse in every instance, even
to the flogging of men ! They stuck to it, that he
was running away in one part of the country ; when,
it is ascertained en the best authority, that he was
bravely fighting at the head of his troops in another
These are but a few drops in the Tory bucket; wore we
to enumerate but one half the lies these scamps have
circulated within the last few mouths, the bucket would.
not only be full, but running over. And this is the
faction, Countr) men, that now claims your suffrages ;
that tells you it has no interests incompatible with
yours ; and that if you return it in full force to Parlia-
ment, it will make no speech, and give no vote, but
such as you may approve ! Will you believe this
lying faction ? Impossible. You will act towards it
as lEsop's husbandman did, when he had once fairly
got the tiger in his power—pare his claws ; draw his
teeth ; and then, to make all sure, knock out his brains.

Our attention has been directed to a pamphlet en-
titled " Parliamentary Representation," by T. W.
HELPS, M.A., publi3hed by HOOPER, which, from
the importance of the subject of which it treats, is
is likely to attract some degree of public notice.
As it is well written, and appears to have truth rather.
than the triumph of faction for the object of its in-
quiries, it is calculated to lull the Reformers into a
false security—to give them wrong impressions of the
sacred duty which the Electoral body are now called
upon to fulfil ; and therefore we cannot in justice to
our readers, omit pointing out the dangerous political
error which the writer so plausibly seeks to inculcate.
The sole object of this tract is to impress upon the
Electors of the United Kingdom, that they ought not
—and that constitutionally they cannot—exact pledges
from their Parliament representatives ; an object at all
times liable to strong objections, but especially to be
deprecated on the eve of a general election, on the re-
sult of which are suspended the destinies of the
British Empire—yea, probably of Europe. The
writer's arguments in support of this strange theory,
though scattered over fifty-four pages of a closely
printed tract, may be summed up in a few words—
namely, the obvious mischief of binding a man to fol-
low a defined course upon a question before he has had
the opportunities afforded him by the House of Com-
mons of considering it in all its bearings. " From a
common mortal," he calls upon the electors to " ex-
tort no such absolute engagement as a pledge. It is
not for him to make, for it betrays a presumptuous
confidence in his political infallibility. It is not for
you to ask, for though it may not bind the representa-
tive to the elector's opinions, it trenches upon his in-
dependence in binding him to his own—in fettering
his future conduct by his present opinions, whatever
change in them or in the aspect of things may chance
to take place. I might also venture to say, that it is
not fit for our nature, for we cannot tell what a day
may bring forth ; but I have no scruple in asserting
that it is in open hostility to the spirit of representa-
tive institutions, for it renders debate a delusion, and
subverts the supremacy of deliberative wisdom." Let
us test the soundness of this pompous theory by
a few plain questions intelligible to the humblest
member of the electoral body. The writer ob-
viously falls into the monstrous error of imagining
that because men are perpetually changing their ideas
respecting the most effectual means of working out
first principles, they are equally liable to change their
opinions regarding the principles themselves. Sup-
pose a constituency to ask a candidate on the hustings
" Will you, if elected, vote for the punishment of the
crimes of perjury, house-breaking, and murder ?" The
candidate might differ from the constituency as to the
extent of punishment, but it would he ridiculous to
imagine that his mind was not made up on the prin-
ciple. Suppose the questions put to a candidate were
" Will you vote against any measure for abolishing
religious liberty in this country ? Will you vote
against any attempt that Parliament may make to de-
clare the Pope supreme head of the Church ? Will
you vote against any Bill that the Crown may intro-
duce for abolishing tl►e Habeas Corpus Act, the Bill
of Rights, and the Act of Settlement ? Will you

vote against any Bill for declaring the nation in a
Will you vote against the as-
state of insolvency?
sumption of the right of granting the supplies by
the House of Lords ?" Now, will any honest
person tell us that the gentleman who could not
give a direct pledge upon each and all of these
questions would be a fit and proper person to send
into the House of Commons ? Most assuredly not.
The candidate that could not answer one way or other,
without a previous acquaintance with the arguments
that a Parliamentary opponent might employ, ought to
be set down as a fool to all political intents and pur-
poses ; and the candidate that would not, under the
plea of acting without restraint, should be regarded as
' a traitor to his country. The same rule applies to
every question upon which the Reformers demand
pledges. They all- involve principles, and it is to the
carrying out of these. principles that the electors who are
true to their country and themselves seek to bind their
repre,sentatives ; leaving them, however, at full liberty
to deal with_ the details as may seem best to the
wisdom of Parliament. The candidate who cannot
or will not pledge himself to advocate the shortening
the duration of Parliaments ; the repeal of the Corn-
laws ; the Reform of the Irish Corporations and
Church ; the abolition of Imprisonment for Debt ; the
extension
.of the Franchise ; and the Reform of the
House of Lords is not fit to represent the people in
Parliament. The principles involved in these ques-
tions are as obvious as the principles embodied in the
decalogue ; and we would just as soon think of advo-
cating the appointment of the Gospel Ministry of a
person who -professed himself incompetent to deter-
mine whether it was the duty of children to obey their
parents, as we would of supporting the election of a
Candidate uncertain as to how he should vote on a Bill
for Reform in the House of Lords.

The whole of the Paris Journals of 'Wednesday
have been received. The Moniteur contains the fol-
lowing telegraphic despatch from Spain which, with
the extracts subjoined, include the only news, foreign
or domestic, to be found in them :
" BORDEAUX, JULY 17, SEVEN, P. Ni.—The road between
Calatayud and Sarragossa being occupied by the bands of
Qnilez, Llangostera, and other Carlist Chiefs, the mails from
Madrid of the 11th and 12th have not arrived. Letters from
Saragossa of the 14th contain nothing important respecting
the march of the Pretender."

, NEWS FROM VALENCIA.—We have received, by way of Bar-
celona, news from Valencia to the 9th. On that day the oath
to the Constitution was taken, and fetes were given in honour
of that event ; while, at the distance of three leagues from
Valencia, the Pretender proclaimed himself absolute King of
Spain.

An English frigate and two French brigs of war were in
sight of the port. 250 English, and a detachment of artillery
of the same nation, were to be landed on the same day. •
The inhabitants are resolved to make the most determined
opposition to the expedition. The Commandant, Estella, had
received news from Castillon and Vinaroz. An excellent spirit
prevailed everywhere, and preparations were making to resist.
It was also said that General Oraa had already arrived in the
environs of Segorbe.—Le Commerce.
The Phare of Bayonne says —" 900 men and 21 officers of
the British Legion embarked at St. Sebastian on the 11th, on
board the Isabella the Second steam-boat, and a merchantman,
which was freighted by Colonel Wyldc. These troops return
to England, in consequence of the dissolution of the English
Legion."

Cady Morgan has arrived at Paris from Italy.—Le Consti-
tutionnel.

FRENCH FUNDS—Psais, Ju'Lr 19.
Fore per Cents., 110 f. 110 f. 5c 110 f.
Three per Cents. 79f.
Bank Actions, .2,3:17f. 5,c.
Rente ne Naples, 117 f. 23e. 30c. 35c.
Roman Five per Cents., 101%56.
Spanish Actives, 21%
Spanish Differes, 7.
Spanish l'assives, 434%.
Brussels Society, 1,550 f.
Belgian Bank, 1,1.7 f. 50c.
Portuguese Three per Cents. 23 25.
liaytian Loan, 2901.

ILXCIIIhNOT!. ON LONDON.
One month, paper, 25f. 45c. ; money, '2sf. 42%c.
'three months, paper, 25f. 25e.; money, 25f. 22% e.
rs Authentilue.

LAST PRICES.
Five per Cents., I 111. 15c.
Three per Cents. 70f. Pie.
Bank Actions, 2,3:15f.
Roman Five net Vents.,
Brussels Bank, 1,417 f. 5Cc.
Belgian Society, 1,36 r.
Portuguese Three per Cents., 25,
Ilaytian Loan, 2M,f,
Spanish Actives, 2U 4.
Spanish Passives 4%.
spaiii,.h DitFeres, 0%.
New Difibres, 7.
Miguelites, 12

Brussels and German Papers have been received,
from which extracts will be found in another column.
They are more interesting than politically important.

Yesterday' morning, at half-past four o'clock, a duel
was fought near Chalk-farm, between Hugh Dalton, Esti
and Captain Thomas Reid, R. N. Mr. D. was accompani,;(7 by the Hon. Mr. Price, and Captain R. by Mr. Kennedy. On
the signal being given both gentlemen fired; Mr. D. received
the contents of his opponent's pistol in his right shoulder.
The parties then separated without coming to any satisfactory
explanation.
At the Limerick Asi;izcs, on Wednesday, Mary
Cooney was found guilty of the murder of her mistress, Mri Ann Anderson, on the 6th of March last. The prisoner, ‘vho
. was a discarded servant of the murdered lady, was sentenced to
be hanged on the -ith of August.
WESTMINSTER LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC
INSTITUTION.—The first quarterly general meeting of the
above flourishing institution was held last evening at the Infant
School in Vincent-square, which was numerously attended by
its members and friends. W. P. Wood, Esq., F. R. S., one
of the vice-presidents, was called to the chair, when a re-
port of a most gratifying description was read by Mr. James
Hunter, the secretary, from which it appeared that there were
350 members. A library of 500 volumes had been got to-
gether, without purchase, in three months. Many very libe-
ral donations had been received ; among others, one of 201.
from J. T. Leader, Esq.; 151. from the Right Honourable
James Abercromby, Speaker of the House of Commons
; 101.
from Charles Hindley, Esq.; 10/. from J. C. Wood, Esq.;
101. from W. Cooper, Esq.; and many other donations in
money and books. The balance in favour of the institution
was 150/. In the old and densely-populated city of West-
minster an institution of this kind must have been long
wanted, and it is matter of surprise that one has not been es-
tablished there long before. The opening lecture was de-
livered by the Rev. H. H. Milman, "On the Utility of
Literary and Scientific Institutions."

Mr. Wilbraham Taylor, nephew of Sir Herbert
Taylor, has been appointed Privy Secretary to Sir Henry
Wheatley, Privy Purse to her Majesty.
We hear that her Majesty has expressed a wish for
an ornamental entrance to be made into Buckingham-gardens
at the lower end of Grosvenor-place, in a line vt ith Eaton-
squire, and the King's-road. In case her Majesty should be
inclined to take an excursion in private down the King's-road,
the coach-stand at Buckingham-gate is to he removed to
James-street, it being considered that the language of coach-
men and cads are not appropriate to the inmates of a Royal
residence.

We are pleased to hear that Mr. Sheriff Montefiore
has made a donation to the Newspaper Press Benevolent As-
sociation, with a view to promote the excellent objects of that
Institution, which we last week took occasion to bring under
public notice. He has further intimated his assent to become
one of the Trustees of the Association. This was more than
could have been expected from him, but quite consistent
with the whole tenour of the benevolence for which ha is dis-
tinguished.
On Thursday last an inquest was held at the Guild-
hall, Northampton, on the body of Joseph Walters, a journey-
man tailor, aged 42 years. The deceased, who resided alone
in Bath-square, was last seen alive about six o'clock on
Wednesday evening, when he took his tea, and appeared in
good health, with the exception of a pain in his head. About
three hours afterwards he was found by a woman who occa-
sionally assisted him, on his shopboard, with his legs crossed
(as though at work), quite dead. The deceased was not sub-
ject to fits, and there being no marks of violence, a verdict
was returned, " Died by the visitation of God."—Northamp-
ton Mercury.

The eldest son of the Emperor of Russia is at pre-
sent making a journey through the dominions of his father, in
the course of which he has proceeded as far as Tobolsk, in
Siberia. He left the latter city on the 16th ult., to return
towards the European provinces.

. .
Queen Victoria's first levee was the most numerous
and brilliant ever held in St. James's Palace, attended as it
was by so many noblemen and gentl:men of every grade of
politics. All present were delighted with the composure and
dignity with which our youthful Queen comported herself on
this novel occasion. Above 2,000 presentations took place.
The Earl of Mulgrave is expected to take his depar-
ture for Dublin Castle at the close of the ensuing week.
The, Countess will not accompany him to Ireland, in conse-
quence of her recent appointment to the royal household.
The beatiful lake of Chzde, in the Valley of Cha-
mounv, has entirely disappeared in consequence of an immense
mass of earth falling into it from one of the surrounding
mountains. In the place of its pure and transparent waters,
reflecting the summits of Mont Blanc, nothing now is to be
seen but on one side a vast mound of black earth, mingled
with rough flints, through which rushes a turbid torrent ; and
on the other a mere muddy pond. All that rendered this ro-
mantic spot so enchanting has disappeared for ever; and yet
no great damage has been done to the road which leads to the
glaciers.