The Sun.
London, England, 1831-10-03 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF 7'IIE SUN.

SIR,—As long misgovernment and an accumulation
of financial difficulties led to the French Revolution—so

was it accelerated and rendered violent by the folly and
corruption of the Court—who would nothing change, and
nothing correct—but the democratic feeling was alone
created by the insensate conduct of a greater part of the

Nobles Who arrayed themselves against the general expres-
sion of public feeling, and by their intrigues lost the weak
Monarch who ruled, that esteem which was due to his
private worth, and the inclination he bad shewn to ame-
liorate the condition of the people. Had not the Court,
and the greater part of the Nobles, with some Members
of the Church, conspired against the nation, there never
would have been that revolution which finally swept away

all the institutions of France, and was accompanied with
horrors which at the moment affrighted all Europe, and
which, even at this distant period, must be lamented by
every one who has the least attachment to his fellow-math
Louis the Sixteenth, had he not have been misled and betrayed
by those who surrounded him, and who were bound to
him by the dearest ties—would have consented to all those
changes under the direction of able, wise, and virtuous
Ministers, which were positively demanded, and by which
alone was France to be saved from the dreadful convulsions

of civil contest. Turgot and Malesherbes were driven from
his Councils. Necker was alike dismissed and exiled. The
Court and the Nobles resisted all changes—they would make
no sacrifices, and only yielded when yielding was fruit-
less. The people were set in motion, gradually they ac-
quired strength, and at last usurped the power of the
State, and all authority was destroyed. A general ruin
was the result, as must ever be when there is a general
disorganizatio❑ of a country; tyranny succeeded, the
most dreadful, the most atrocious ; military successes, ac-
companied with the highest military glory, formed a mili-
tary government, and in the re-establishment of order, the
people of France were reduced once more to a state of ser-
' vitude under Buonaparte, which nearly was the history of
our civil war—Charles's folly, and the wickedness of his
followers and supporters, made a Cromwell and established
a Commonwealth. Charles and Louis were both weak
men, and governed by favourites—both were unfortunate
in their Queens—neither were capable of performing the
duties of Sovereign in times of difficulty and turbulence—
both were ignorant of the principles of Government—
both passed to the scaffold.
What led to the separation of the United States from the
Mother Country but an unfortunate obstinacy of a weak
and unprincipled Ministry, supported by the personal pre-
judices of an obstinate Monarch, who considered his own
importance involved in the contest. Justice was denied
to America, and America revolted—and what is most sin-
gular, the independence of America was achieved by the man
who was most attached to England. In vain might Jef-
ferson have designed and written as a Republican—in vain
might Henry have moved and spoken—had there not have
been a Washington to have counselled and commanded—
and he sought no alienation from the Mother Country;
'out be loved his native country—he felt what was his
duty, what be owed to it. He placed himself in hostility
to the Mother Country, because she was unjust, would
be cruel, and rejected all concession.
If any misfortune shall befall the British empire—if the
curse of commotion, of civil strife, shall fall on this favoured
land, to whom will it be attributed ? To the throne?—
No—because it is surrounded with wisdom and virtue.
To the Monarch?—No—because he is patriotic, and covets
to do that good which can alone secure the public tran-
quillity. To the people?—No—who are moderate, and
who only seek to enjoy that change, and those improve.
ments, which have been counselled by enlightened Minis-
ters, and approved of by a patriotic King—and adopted
by the great majority of the most influential branch of the
Government.
There is as yet no turbulence in the country—there is
no spirit of commotion afloat—but there is a virtuous
spirit abroad which must not be insulted, and cannot be
resisted. If the King be insulted—if the people be de-
spised, by the Nobles—mischief may be engendered—and
the House of Peers, by an act of unpardonable folly, in
rejecting the wishes of the King and people, may trans-
form that which is now good, and which can alone be
productive of lasting benefit to every class, into future
poison, which shall spread so generally and efficiently, and
afflict the empire with such a train of evils, as to be irre-
sistible by human power. That the period has arrived
when a Reform must be made is undeniable—and, in-
deed, it is not denied but by a few. And who are those
few ? It may be by the Royal Duke of Cumberland—who
is looked upon not only to be the enemy of his country,
but to be that of his fellow man, as opposed to all
that is liberal and good. It may be by those per-
sons who so far forget themselves as to range under
his banner of opposition, and who enrol themselves
as his followers—but let them take warning in time
—they may probably hereafter become exiles, and
will the sands of Hanover repay them for the fertile
lands which they will lose in England, Scotland, and Ire-
land ? Without any political struggle—without any dire
event of public indignation—without the sad affliction of
civil contest. It is most probable that that Royal Duke
and the British Empire will have no mutual tie—when
our present beloved and inestimable Monarch shall in the
course of nature be gathered to the tomb of his fathers, and
which every good man and attached subject fervently prays
may be long delayed. There must be a separation be-
tween the British Empire and Hanover, and it is to be
hoped that the separation may be for ever. As an Eng-
lishman, I shall make no inquiry as to what may be the
conduct of its King, but I shall take very good care not to
approach the confines of the kingdom. It is piteously la-
mentable to behold the Duke of Wellington—who must live
in the page of history as one of the greatest military chiefs
—who must be handed down to posterity as the rival—
the conqueror of Napoleon—lend himself to a faction. It
is to be sincerely regretted that a man who could at last
be so great, who could be so really attached to his country
as he was, on the question of emancipation, should now
show himself to be so little upon the equally important one
of Reform. As an admirer of greatness, I would that his
Grace should cease to dine with minions at the royal ducal
apartments in St. James's. 1 would that he should find
himself in better company with the friends of the King
and of the people. How could Lord Wharncliffe lend
himself to the party, as is given in the Court Circular,*
which I must consider as being correct. Lord Wharn-
cliffs is a patriotic person, however much he may be
conscientiously an Anti-Reformer—he should not keep
such company and forfeit the respect he has enjoyed ; but
how much more and really ele►ated would his Lordship be
were he to overcome his prejudices, and to enrol himself
amongst the friends of the King and of the people. He is
capable of reasoning, and has only to grasp the subject
with the desire of making himself master of it—to become
p. rsuaded of the beneficial and conservative consequences
attendant on Reform--that be will really prevent that
of which he is now apprehensive—a subversion of the in-
stitutions of the country—of weakening the authority of
the Monarch, of the destruction of the Aristocracy, and the
establishment of a wild and pet nicious democratic influence.
How proud, and deservedly so, will he be when he reflects
hereafter that he has assisted by his vote to prevent that
revolution to which every good member of society must
be opposed. Lord Wharncliffe is no place-hunter, and has
no puerile desire for another and hipher step i❑ the aris-
tocracy. Let him have the gratification of removing that
general discontent which now prevails against the present
system of corruption that distinguishes the elective fran-
chise. Let him change the now all pervading dissatis-
faction into a general burst of joy and universal grati-
tude. Let him and other honourable and highly worthy
and esteemed Peers take leave of a miserable faction and
establish the permanency of the aristocracy, and callse it
to be cherished in the hearts of the people, who consider
at this moment the existence of the House of Peers as an
essential part of the Constitution, and as requisite to the
dignity of the Throne, and as protective of the liberties of
the people. Let them destroy equally the factious Peers
and the mischievous demagogues—alike injurious to the
best interests of the country—alike hostile to the King
and to the people. Let them preserve their own conse-
quence—secure peace, and cause tranquillity to be main-
tained, ensuring happiness at home, and commanding
respect abroad—such is the prayer of a staunch Reformer,
but no Revolutionist.
October 1, 1831.

CO-RADICAL.

A grand dinner is reported as having been given on Wed-
nesday evening last, by the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland;
where were present, Sic.

So earnest are the loyal folks of Old Irvine
in the cause of Reform, that they named a large vessel,
hunched at Wick on Thursday last, the Reform.—

Glasgow Chronicle.
he first meeting of the Independent Union
of the borough and hundreds of Aylesbury will take place
on Monday week, at Lillits ; the members of the club
having received an invitation to a breakfast, or fete
champetre, to be given on that occasion at the seat of
Lord NUGENT. It is most gratifying thus to see men
combining together for the security of their common
liberties. Such societies may even yet be necessary to
ensure the final triumph of Reform; but the Bill having
passed the Commons, it is felt that the measure is
already carried as far as the people are concerned. The
meeting then will be held as well in celebration of this
auspicious event, as for the general purposes of inaugura-
tionor-Bucks Gazette.