The Sun.
London, England, 1839-04-06 00:00:00

LONDON
SATRDAY, APRIL 6, 1139.

The Revenue Tables for the quarter and the
year are published m another part of The Sun ;
and we can congratulate our readers on their very
favourable character. The increase on the year,
as compared to the year ending April, 1838, is
2,132,8661. The increase in the present quarter
as compared to the corresponding quarter of last year,
is 565,243/. The increase of the Customs is for the
year 1,053,1791., for the quarter, 349,8991.
Nothing is a better test of the well-being of the
people than the Excise revenue, and
i this has in-
creased in the year 334,0021., and n the quarter
135,6581. Stamps have increased 143,1011. in the
year,but have decreased 7,9411. on the quarter. The
Taxes yield in the present year 73,5771. more than
last, and in the present quarter 45,8641. more than
the corresponding quarter of last year. The whole
increase of the Post-office revenue in the year is
25,257/., and of this 23,0001. accrues in the pre-
sent quarter. That this source of revenue has not
augmented more considerably, while sonic of
the mails are conveyed at a cheaper rate, and there
is a continually increasing communication in all
parts of the country, is a strong proof of the neces-
s4y 9,f a I-eforin in this department. We pass over
the gown Lands, Miscellaneous, Imprest Monies,
and other sources of extraordinary revenue, as no
index to the general condition of the country, and
content ourselves with remarking that the principal
part of the increase is in the ordinary revenue, and
in that of the Customs denoting, we are happy to
believe, in spite of the many obstacles thrown in
its way by foolish laws, an ever-increasing trade.
Some part of the increase in the Customs revenue,
must have been derived from the quantity of foreign
corn imported ; but that we apprehend, on the
whole year, would scarcely exceed 200,000/., leaving
upwards of 800,0001., as a proof that our trade
is recovering from the severe shock it re-
ceived in 1836 and in 1837. On the whole,
we read these accounts with much satisfaction,
as a proof that the skill and industry of our
people are yet able to overcome all the injurious
effects of the absurd and wicked Corn-laws, which
are not so powerful as the great natural
principles of progress and increase which im-
pel forward human society. If Ministers were
subject to many reproaches last year because
the revenue was deficient, though they were not to
blame on that score, they will this year deserve great
praise for the increase, though that the Tories will
take care to withhold. We give them no credit for it
further than to observe that the increase proves that
their reductions of taxation have been judicious, and
have relieved the people, while they have augmented
the resources of the State.

The Glasgow people are keeping alive the agi-
tation for the repeal of the Corn-laws. In another
part of The Sun appears some excellent resolutions
adopted at a meeting of the Glasgow Anti-Corn-
law Association on the 3d inst. After expressing
the deep indignation felt at the refusal of the two
Houses of Parliament, not merely to repeal or
tysodify, but even to inquire into the operation
of the Corn-laws, the meeting declared that it was
not from the justice of Parliament, or the wisdom of
Ministers, but from the increasing knowledge,
strength, and union of the people, that the total
abolition of the Corn-laws can be expected. This
great body of opulent and respectable manufac-
Iners, then, virtually east off their allegiance to
the Parliament. They set up their own judgment
against the decision of the Legislature, and, in truth,
they resolve by a union of the people to help them-
selves. For such a rebellion against authority,
our statutes, we apprehend, have not provided, and
politicians will agree with moralists and fabulists
that the people are justified in helping themselves.
'e know no law, no force, which can reach
or cure that contempt for the Legislature
which is so forcibly expressed in the Glasgow
resolutions, and no means of recovering the respect
atul the willing obedience of the people, but for the
Legislature to retrace its steps and do them justice.
There is no other alternative. By the constitution
of the human mind, selfishness and injustice pro-
voke contempt and indignation ; and from them
'the Legislature which makes iniquitous laws
cannot escape. To make the Anti-Corn-law
League more useful, the Glasgow resolutions enforce
the necessity of constituting it a true free-trade
league, a most wise plan, which ought to rally
under its banners all the working classes, who are
the great sufferers by restraints on industry. Such
a noble object, if honestly and sincerely pursued,
cannot fail to lead to great things. The resolutions
are excellent, but we regret that the report of the
meeting, as copied from the Glasgow Chronicle,
(the GlasgoW Argus not having not reached us,) is
neither so full nor so accurate as it ought to be.