The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-18 00:00:00

THE WEATHER.-SuN OFFICE, FEB. 18.

THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.

31—highest since noon yesterday.
22-10 west this morning and during the night.
29—this day at noon.

BAROMETER, 29'56.

WIND, N.NW.—Smart breeze, and sunshine. A heavy
fart of snow in the night.

0..
16.,,,ir,,,,-.4.-z-,„r4., ,§Allts,

LONDON, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1853,

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER appears to
be thoroughly versed in the official cant for which
his predecessors, during many ages, have, with
scarcely a single exception, been distinguished.
The Right Hon. Gentleman has, at his fingers'
ends, the usual evasions and excuses. His argu-
ments are certainly more plausible than those of
Sir CHARLES WooD, who had a stereotyped
answer in every case. No matter how unjust or
oppressive might be the impost under considera-
tion for the time being—no matter how potent
might be the arguments adduced for its repeal or
reduction—the invariable response of the Finan-
cial Minister was, that it produced so many
pounas sterling to the Exchequer, " which
he certainly was not prepared to relin-
quish." Such was the reasoning to which
a person occupying a prominent position in the
Government of the country deemed it respectful
to offer to the Parliament of the United Ringdom ;
And for a time it was successful. The Whig
whippers-in discharged their duties effici-
ently, and a host of " waiters on PROVIDENCE"
were prepared to sustain the opinions of one of
the dispensers of official patronage—of a man who
had the distribution of a considerable amount of
the anxiously " looked-for loaves and fishes"—

and to laugh to scorn tho folly of those who
believed that old-fashioned notions of equity and
expediency could, in any degree, influence the
determination, or rather the votes, of the British
Legislature. The total and unmitigated contempt
for public opinion, however, ultimately produced
its natural result. Dissatisfaction rapidly ripened
into disgust. Sir CHARLES WOOD was hurled from
office. His colleagues shared his fall ; and a pure
Whig Administration was rendered among the
" has beeps" which could never again, by any pos-
sibility, be tolerated or recognised by the com-
munity.

Mr. GLADSTONE, as we have already stated, has
more tact and ability than the Whig Minister.
He can clothe his ideas in more graceful language,
and is more competent " to make the worse appear
the better reason." But a slight examination will
show that his arguments are based on no better
foundation. If Sir CHARLES WOOD could bluntly
declare that "he certainly was not prepared to relin-
quish 300,0001. per annum," Mr. GLADSTONE can,
with an air of most provoking candour, assure any
Hon. Member who exposes a fiscal grievance, that "a
very considerable value was attached to 300,000/.
and more in addition to the other sources of re-
venue." If, according to Sir CHARLES WOOD,
there never was a fitting time for redressing such
grievances, the moment selected being always in-
opportune—too early or too late for the purpose
Mr. GLADSTONE can urge the impolicy of repealing
any tax until the House had considered " what
was to be the expenditure of the year, for which
ng
provide." Thus objecting it was necessary to to
early relief, he is equally adverse to a mere ab-
stract resolution condemnatory of any tax —.a
practice which he denounced as being "still more
dangerous to the honour and character of the
House 'and the interests of the country." If, on
the other hand, the matter was allowed to stand
over until after the Budget had been submitted to
the House and the country, then the Hon. Member
had lapsed his time ; it would be a very incon-
venient—almost a factious—course to disturb the
Ministerial arrangements. A toping casuist of
the olden time showed that every day should be
consumed in imbibing liquids—that " each was
the properest day to drink." Mr. GLADSTONE,
by a similar train of reasoning, 'discovers that
there is no possible time in which the evils of an
impolitic or inequitable tax can be exposed, and
in good round terms lectures an independent
Member for venturing to bring forward a mat-
ter which is peculiarly onerous and unfair
to the constituency of which ho is the chosen re-
presentative, and ventures to assert that the Hon.
Gentleman who gives expression to the com-
plaints of those by whom he is sent into the
House, is setting a very indifferent example
on the ground of public policy.
This may be very clever—may occasion a cheer
or a laugh for the time being, but it will not
deter Honourable Gentlemen from brinoing forward
subjects, which although unpalatable to the
Champion of existing abuses, are yet eminently
deserving of calm and attentive consideration. It
will not prevent Mr. MILNER GIBSON from propos-
ing the total repeal of the duty on Advertisements,
a matter which appeared so very absurd to Honour-
able Gentlemen, and excited such extraordinary
risibility. Nay more, we should not wonder
even if the Right Hon. Member for Manchester
had the audacity even to complain of the others
on knowledge, and to demand their abolition.
It will not induce Mr. OLIVEIRA to refrain from
showing the evil results of the Wino Duties as now
levied, and demanding their reduction. Nor will
it convince the Irish distillers that they should