The Sun.
London, England, 1836-03-04 00:00:00

'
CL: in +

LONDON,
FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 4, 1836.

The question of the Newspaper Stamp Duties was
brought forward by Mr. WIRE yesterday at the Court
of Common Council, but in consequence of there
being only one A lderman present—there would have
been plenty, no doubt, had the discussion related to
city feasting—the LORD MAYOR was compelled to
break up the Court. On Monday next, however, the
question will be again considered in the Common
Hall, on which occasion Mr. O'CONNELL and
several other Members of Parliament have announced
their intention to be present ; the former emphatically
observing, in his reply to Mr. WIRE'S letter of invi-
tation—" I look upon the abolition of the Stamp
Duties on Newspapers as of such paramount impor-
tance, that I will readily sacrifice every other duty to
attend that which I believe to be the greatest of all."
Mr. O'CONNELL is right. The abolition of the
taxes on knowledge is indeed a matter of " paramount
importance"—at least if the diffusion of useful informa-
tion is considered indispensable to the welfare of a
kingdom. An ignorant population is always a tur-
bulent one. Give the people knowledge ; give them
an opportunity of acquainting themselves with that
which is passing about them ; furnish them with the
means of appreciating the measures and sentiments of
those whom they have selected to rule over them ;—do
this, and you at once obtain vouchers for their good
behaviour.

" To know
That which before us lies in daily life
Is the prime wisdom,"
says MILTON, and with this " wisdom'. the abolition
of the taxes on knowledge will abundantly supply the
people. As for the apprehension that they will abuse
the powers thus acquired, we scout the idea as a base
calumny worthy only of a Conservative. If the peo-
ple are not to be trusted with a free, unstamped Press,
why was the Reform Bill given to them ? If it be
hazardous to pour in upon them the full broad day-
light of political knowledge, why was such a powerful
weapon as Municipal Reform put into their hands ?
Surely Ministers cannot dread a democracy which they
themselves have been the first to raise into importance,
and which still keeps them at the helm, despite the
fzowns of the Court, and the intrigues of the Conser-
vatives ! It is a duty they owe to themselves and the
country to settle this, question without further loss of
time. None can be more pressing—few so much so.
Every possible allowance has been made for the diffi-
culties of their position ; but really the time has ar-
rived when forbearance ceases to be a duty ; and when
the people should sternly insist on the abolition of a
vexatious tax, for which they have so long supplicated
in vain. Mr. SPRING RICE, we perceive, intends
bringing the question forward on Tuesday next, when
we trust he will have the good sense to settle it effectu-
ally, and not by halves. A total reduction of the tax
would be the most satisfactory principle of settlement;
but if this be just now impracticable, a reduction to a
penny, with a discount, might for a time answer.
Any remedy short of this will be useless to
the people, and detrimental to the Ministers who
propose it. We say this in no disrespectful spirit, but
simply because we cannot but feel that, as respects the
Stamp Duties, and indeed all matters regarding the
Press, Government has been singularly lethargic.
Other and minor grievances have been removed, but
the libel law is still unremedied—the taxes on know-
ledge still unrepealed. Why should this be ? Is there
danger that the people should become too wise for their
rulers ? A Tory Ministry might reasonably entertain