The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-15 00:00:00

There are several important preliminary ques-
tions that must be fully discussed and calmly and
impartially considered before No. 3 Budget can be
finally disposed of. Never was there a time
when it was more imperative on the mem-
bers of the popular branch of the Legislature to
discharge firmly and efficiently the arduous duties
confided to their hands, and to show themselves to
be in very truth, the/independent representatives
of free and independent constituencies. If they
arrogate to themselves the title, they must also
distinctly and unequivocally prove that they are
worthy of the proud distinction. They must for
once disregard mere party considerations, and
only look to that which is for the benefit
of the community. If they can conscien-
tiously approve of Mr. GLADSTONE'S financial
policy, by all means let them render not merely
a lukewarm and apathetic, but an earnest and
energetic support. The Right Hon. Gentleman
may require all the assistance that he can receive
from his friends ; and in the coming struggle he
will be fully justified in believing that the man
who is not with him in heart and spirit, is against
him. But if, on the other hand, they conceive
that policy to be at the same time inequitable and
inexpedient to the British community, and very
prejudicial to the cause—the noble cause, in sup-
port of which we have entered on a just and ne-
cessary war—then we say, that without reference
to ',private feelings or' predilections, they are
bound to denounce the propositions brought
forward, and to reject those of which they
disapprove, without reference to the pos-
sible or probable results, or inquiring whether
their votes may lead to extensive Minis-
terial changes. When jurors inquire into
the amount of damages that will carry costs, they
are invariably told by the presiding judge that
it is a matter beyond their province. All they
have to do is to return a verdict in accordance
with the facts and merits of the case, without
considering the consequences thereof, or how far
it may affect the interests of the litigants. The
same principle is at this moment applicable to
Members of either branch of the Legislature.
They are bound to give their votes on the matter
brought before them without thinking of what
will be the effect on the position of Mr. GLAD-
STONE himself, or the Administration of which he
is an influential member.
The Right Honourable Gentleman has placed
this matter on a proper foundation. He put it
very clearly and very unequivocally forward--
"Now don't let it be said that this is a time of
war, and that therefore the question of confidence
should not be raised. It being a time of war is
the very reason why you should make up your
minds whether financial matters have been mis-
managed or not !" This, although somewhat
arrogantly expressed, is unquestionably true ;
and, as we have already stated, it completely
takes away any argument founded on the state of
our foreign relations, making it "no longer tenable
either to friend or foe, as a means of defence for
the one; or an excuse for apathy or inactivity to
the other !" Indeed, if it were supposed that
hostilities were occasioned by the vacillating and
injudicious proceedings of a Minister, and that
they were likely to be rendered more protracted,
more costly, and more sanguinary, for similar
reasons, then, it would be essential to remove the
cause of these evils. It might be unpatriotic to
expel a Minister who had from the beginning
proceeded in a manly, straightforward, and "Eng-
lish" course of policy, in order to substitute " a
peace-at-any-price" successor. But if the new
Government were likely to press on the war more
vigorously and energetically, and to exact more
ample retribution from the Aggressor, then, we
say, that it could not be considered as "friendly to
the CZAR to give a vote which might lead to sue
a result.

The point on which it is incumbent to ob-
tain the opinion of the House of Commons is
whether, before we proceed to rais3 the entire
amount of the probable expenses of the contest--
not merely on the present generation, but within
the year—we are not bound to see that the money
which was taken from the Exchequer, while war
was impending, to satisfy the debts contracted by
our ancestors, should not be replaced by funds,
obtained on like or better securities to those
which had thus been liquidated.
It should distinctly be ascertained, beyond
the possibility of future doubt, by what
means we are to retain a circulating medium
adequate to the wants and exigencies of the coun-
try. By the return contained in Friday night's
gazette., it appears that, for the week ending the 6th
May, the bullion in both departments of the Bank
has decreased to 12,608,0791., while the "Notes
unemployed "—the reserve for carrying on the
operations of the Bank—only amounted to
3,900,4301.! This shows the necessity of imme-
diate measures to provide a substitute for the
gold which is flowing from our shores. We have
repeatedly pointed out that, for all domestic pur-
poses a really national note, guaranteed by the
nation, would be just as good as bullion. And that
if the smaller denominations, say for 11. 21., and
31. were issued, gold to . the amount of Thirty or
Forty millions would be liberated, by means
whereof we could carry on the war with-
out difficulty. This may not suit the views

of Mr. GLADSTONE or the pro-Russian section_ of
the Cabinet. Indeed, the Right Hon. Gentle-
__

man candidly tells us, " that the necessity of
meeting year by year the expenditure which war

entails is a salutary and wholesome check; it
makes men feel what they are about, and prompts
them to measure the benefit they anticipate with
the cost of obtaining it !" This would be true,
if we had wantonly or recklessly engaged in hos-
tilities which we might with due regard to the
honour and safety of the country have been avoid-

ed. But if the war be " just and necessary,"
the argument falls to the ground. It, however,
affords an insight into the basis of his policy ;

and the opinion of the country must be taken on
that policy before the consideration of the con-

templated increase of the income tax, or of the

malt, sugar, and spirit duties can be entered

into.

Lord and Lady Palmerston entertained the Duke and
Duchess of Wellington, the Earl and Countess of Shaftes-
bury, the Hon. Mr. Wm. Temple (brother to the noble
host), Lord and Lady Mahon, Right. Hon. H. Corry,
and a select party, at dinner on Saturday evening, in
Carlton-gardens. Her Ladyship afterwards had an as-
sembly.
DINNER TO SIR ERSKINE PERRY.—On Saturday
evening a public dinner was given at the Mechanics' In-
stitute, Devonport, by the Reform electors, to celebrate
the return of this gentleman to Parliament. There were
about 400 persons present, although the dinner was only
got up a few hours previously. The handsome building
was
nell adnecdoltraotmeduwvi,thanadntuhmebge,rlfoefrietshewoerlde baallnoncecruspoffedThuy&
Ices, who toporkesi
by the worshipful the
ad
presided, and
interest in the proceedings.
Tripe
was sudpporthed. on his right
Erskine Perry, M.P, Mayor,Mr.El.JanSh on
left by Sir
p.pahr 1.D., and
! a number of the most influential .f
the efinhabitant.
EXETER-HALL. —The performance
the benefit of the Royal Society of MusiciansoMessiah for
place on Wednesday the 17th inst. Madamecwfill take
.
vello, Mesdemoiselles LouisaPyne, Iluddart, and Dolby, 3lessrg. Sims Reeves and Lockey, Signor Beetti 11 • and
Herr Formes kindly assist, aided by en orchestra corn-
prising the most eminent instrumentalists, and the chorus
of the Sacred Harmonic Society, in all upwards of 700
performers.
RISE IN THE PRICE OF MALT LIQUOR.—On Saturday,
in consequence of a communication from the large brew-
int, establishments, the metropolitan licensed victuallers
informed their customeis that on and after that day,
Saturday, an increased charge would be made on malt
liquor ; the beer hitherto charged 3d. per pot when
carried off the premises for consumption, will now be
3d. per pot , • the superior kinds of malt liquor, and
extra charge when drunk on the preinies, will be in-
creased in proportionate ratio.

representative of his Imperial MAJESTY re-
ceived a warning that his life was in dan-
ger !" After that declaration from the offi-
cial organ of the French Government, it cannot
reasonably be expected that NAPOLEON can pos-
sibly refrain any longer from direct intervention.
And in regard to Greece, as already in regard to
Turkey, France and England can only act toge-
ther. Wherefore such is the inevitable close of
the lawless risings in Epirus and Thessaly—an
insurrection encouraged by King OTHO and Queen
AMELIA, only to be put down by the soldiers and
sailors of France and England acting at the behest
of VICTORIA and NAPOLEON in development of the
designs of the allied Western Governments.