The Sun.
London, England, 1839-04-13 00:00:00

for which they assembled, we hesitate not to say,
has not been surpassed in interest since the me-
morable year of 1782, when Ireland assumed
that attitude which cowed her oppressors. We
see, on this occasion the Nobility and Gentry
flocking from all parts of the island to the capital,
to join the commercial classes in raising a barrier
sshich may protect their common country against
that atrocious inroad upon its rights, and its wel-
fare, with which an unprincipled and blood-
thirsty faction, have had the audacity to threaten
it. Those who could not take a personal
part in this patriotic enterprise, we find expressing
their heartiest concurrence in any measure that the
friends of Ireland when met, may deem it advisable
to adopt in the present crisis of her fate. Such a
demonstration of the sentiments of the Irish
people, must make even the most reckless
of those who have been the cause of
drawing it forth, shrink from the consequences
which they cannot fail to perceive would follow the
success of their short-sighted schemes. In one
month after the accession of a Tory Administration
Ireland would be one vast insurrection, which no
power on earth would be able to subdue, much less
a faction associated in Irish feeling with everything
that can excite the resentment and hatred of the

people.
Until within the last few years, Ireland has
never known what it was to have a Government
that paid the least attention either to the feelings
or the interests of the people. Oppression in every
form, first under the sanction of the most cruel sys-
tem of penal law that every was exhibited to the
world, and then by the partial and unjust
administration of a more lenient code, has
been the doom of this unhappy country. Never,
until Lord NORMANBY was entrusted with the
destinies of Ireland, has she had breathing time
from the persecution of her enemies. She has at
least tasted the sweets of justice and kindness on
the part of her rulers. She has experienced the
benefits of a mild and impartial administration of the
laws in the improvement both of her civil and social
condition. Can we wonder that she identifies the
continuance of this system of rule with her prosperity,
and that she regards the event which would again
subject her to the tyranny of her oppressors as the
greatest calamity that could befal her ? She has
spoken her sentiments on this point in language
that cannot be mistaken, and will not, we trust, be
in vain.

Among the petitions presented to the House or
Commons last night, were twelve by Mr. POULETT
THOMSON, from various Noblemen and Gentle-
men possessing landed property in the Counties
of Staffordshire and Derbyshire, in favour of
the London and Birmingham Extension Rail-
way Bill, and complaining that in petitions
presented to that House by persons con-
nected with the London and Birmingham
and Grand Junction Railways, they had been
falsely represented as opposed to the Extension
Bill. A copy of one of these petitions from
the Earl of Lichfield will be found in another
part of The Sun, to which we invite the attention
of our readers. Though the Extension Line from
Stone to Rugby would effect, in conjunction with
the Manchester and Birmingham Line, a saving irk
point of distance of some forty miles to the public,
it is now fiercely opposed on the ground of inter-
fering with vested interests, by parties who but;
yesterday, as it were, pretended to be ready to lay
down their lives for the promotion of the public
convenience ! Finding direct opposition not likely
to avail, they have not scrupled to resort to the dis-
honest expedient of seeking to misrepresent the opi-
nions of the most influential persons respecting the
proposed Bill, in the hope, no doubt, of throwing it
out by a trick. Here, again they signally and de-
servedly failed. The petitions presented last night
will serve to put the House upon its guard against
future misrepresentations. I❑ addition to the
twelve presented by Mr. POULETT THOMSON,
Sir ROBERT PEEL presented one from the inha-
bitants of Tamworth, in favour of the Extension
Bill, the prayer of which was supported by the
Bight Hon. Baronet. For our own part we
shall support every proposed line which offers
a guarantee for the promotion of speedier
commercial intercourse, and promises to act as
a check upon the establishment of Railway
monopolies. We already see plainly that the coun-
try cannot have too many ways of effectually con.-
trouling the despotical powers assumed by these
would-be road monopolists. Every fresh line is an.
additional guarantee for reasonable charges of con-
veyance, increased speed, and more marked atten-
tion to the comforts and convenience of railway-
travellers.

Lord SEAFORD obtained in the House of Lords last;
night all the additional information which has been re-
ceived from Jamaica.

The Earl of Wick Low inquired whether there wag
any intention to introduce a Bill to improve the regis-
tration of electors in Ireland, and he was answered, no..
On presenting some petitions from the Grand Jury
of Kerry for the promotion of railways in Ireland,
the Marquis of L AN3DOWNE made some observations in.
favour of the Government plan. The Duke of WEL-
LINGTON referred to the railways of England, and de-
clared that some general plan ought long ago to have
been adopted. Their Lordships adjourned at an early
hour.
In the Commons, Mr. DUNDAS took his seat for
Richmond.
The Necropolis Cemetery Bill was withdrawn after
a brief debate.
A petition presented by Mr. BAINES from the So-
ciety for the General Promotion of Peace, excited some
interest.
_ _ _

Sir ROBERT PEEL'S announcement we have elsewhere
adverted to. Mr. THOMAS DUNcoMBE gave notice,
after Sir RozERT'S announcement, that he would add
some words to Lord JouN RUSSELL'S resolution,
ihoulcWit be adopted, pledging the House to some fur-
ther Reforms.
Mr. HAwEs who has the merit of having concocted
the Metropolitan Police Bill, and of having fathered
it on the Ministers, asked what Ministers meant to do
with respect to that Bill. Lord JOHN RUSSELL re-
plied that he did not intend to oppose the Police Bill
of the City of London, and if the Bill introduced by his
Hon. Friend went into a Committee, he should move to
expunge the first fourteen clauses of the Bill. Lord JottN
RUSSELL, and the Ministers, therefore, defer to the
Corporation on this Police question, and throw Mr.
H AwEs overboard. Whatever may be abstractedly
the good of one general police for the metropolis, and a
police not under the control of habitual jobbers, it was
not prudent in the Ministers to risk their power and
popularity in a conflict with the City of London, and
with almost all the cities in the empire. They were
beguiled into the fault, we believe, by some over-zealous
friends, and will learn from it to trust more to their own
good sense and less to their forward advisers.
Lord JoHN RUSSELL is to forward the County Courts
Bill as soon as is compatible with passing other im-
portant measures.
Lord PALMERSTON laid on the table the papers
connected with the insult to the British flag, and said the
apology, of the French Government had been spontaneous,
ample, and honourable to both countries. The affair,
was deeply deplored by the French Government, and
the strictest orders had been given to be more cautious
in future. We are glad that this unpleasant affair has
not disturbed the harmony between the two Govern-
ments.
On the Order of the Day for going into Committee
on the Prisons (Scotland) Bill Sir GEORGE CLERIC
moved an instruction to divide the Bill into two parts
but on a division was defeated by 65 to 19. The Bill
was committed pro forma.
The House was occupied through the remainder of
the evening with the Supreme Courts (Scotland) Bill,
which was committed. A considerable number of
amendments were proposed and divisions ensued.
The Timber Shipwreck Committee and the Railways
Committee, after some observations from: Mr. EAST-
HOPE, were nominated. Several other measures were
advanced. The House sat till near two o'clock.