The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-06 00:00:00

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LOINDON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1849.

The agitation for the restoration of " protection"
is going bravely on. The agriculturists—determined
that they shall not be deprived of the Englishman's
unquestionable privilege of grumbling—are assem-
bling in goodly numbers to give utterance to their
complaints, to proclaim the general ruin in which all
classes are involved by the free-trade policy, the
national bankruptcy that must inevitably take place,
and, not the least important or agreeable part of the
business, to enjoy the conviviality and feasting at
" the sumptuous banquets" by which the proceedings
are invariably terminated, and at which the sturdy
yeomen exhibit the most unquestionable proofs that
their powers of consumption are not. in any degree
impaired by the difficulties and embarrassments by
which they are surrounded. "A. plague of this
sighing, it puffs one up like a bladder," was the
clamation of the worthy FALSTAFF in days of Tore.
" Grief " is proverbially a " thirsty" companion. So
that the sleek and oily condition of the " bucolics,"
and their eager attention to the creature comforts
considerately provided for their refreshment, may
easily be accounted for.
A bye stander would certainly not suppose that he
was surroundad by " ruined men," who were la-
menting the decline and fall of British prosperity—
the setting of the sun of " England's glory." But
appearances are deceitful. It is but a temporary
forgetfulness of sorrow. The conviviality and jollity
are merely assumed for the occasion. It is true that
they are excellent actors, and restrain the expression
of their feelings most admirably, not merely with
the stoicism of the Spartan youth, who permitted
the hidden fox to tear out his vitals, without any ex-
hibition of suffering, but even with an appearance of
cheerfulness and hilarity that might deceive the
keenest observer.

The latest " gathering " took place at Reigate on
Tuesday, when the usual " Jeremiads " were uttered in
the morning, and the accustomed banquetting took
place in the evening. The same actors that recently
figured on the Bromley boards made their bows to
the Reigate audience. Earl STANHOPE, Mr. G. F.
YOUNG, Mr. PAUL FOSKETT, CUM rnultis aliis, were
greeted with rapturous applause, whilst they
declared that protection, and nothing but pro-
tection, would afford a remedy for the national dis-
tress and suffering. And as it seemed to be admitted
that no reasonable expectation could be entertained
that the present House of Commons would consent
to stultify itself by an alteration of the policy
that had been so recently adopted, a dissolu-
tion of Parliament, and a general election,
were the immediate objects to the attainment of
which all their energies were to be directed. Mr.
DISRIBLI was apparently forgotten for the time
being. The "equalization and more equitable adjust-
ment of the land-tax" was not even alluded to. He
was no longer " principalelown" to that proposition,
nor were his other suggestions brought under the
consideration of the assembled agriculturists. They
were merely recommended " not to take up the notion
that all they wanted was the repeal of this tax, or
that, or a particular attainment of a particular law"—
"not to commit themselves to any distinct proposition
as that to which they looked to effect the desired
change." They were told that " even the general
assessment of the poor- rate was not to be looked to as
a remedial measure." The Protectionist policy, accord-
ing to the Reigate magnates, is thus fully developed.
They are to take all they can get, and to keep
grumbling, to be incessant in their complaints, but
sib: cautiously from saying what they really
'hey are " not to commit themselves to any
.oposition." " Protection to native industry"
as an excellent claptrap and rallying cry
iiscontented farmers and unemployed la-
for it appears that the labourers are to be
to and convinced of the evils of cheap and
:ood, but they are not to be told in what
manner the principle is to be carried out, or how
they are to be benefited by the new policy. " Omne

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