The Sun.
London, England, 1831-02-22 00:00:00

What had produced that situation ? Had the people
of England bean altered...3o altere I that the Govern-
ment dare not entrust them with arms? The people
of England were so changed by the mischievous laws
adopted in that House. Though called loyal, the Go-
vernment dare not trust them to have arms in their
hands. Place but arms in their hands, and that House
would be reformed in three months. It' the Government
did but agree to a substantial and Useful Reform, protected
by the ballot, they might from that moment forward con-
fidently place arms in their hands.—(Cries of " Ques-
tion, question.") The question was, would they endure
such a burden as that which was proposed to be laid
upon the country for the maintenance of a naval and mi-
litary establishment better suited to a state of war than
one of peace? The table was loaded with petitions, and
more petitions were, at the present moment, in London,
than Hon. Members were able to present ; and even from
the few that there was an opportunity of presenting, little
' good accrued, for they were laid before the House—were
brought forward amidq so much noise, that what the
clerk read could not be heard.—(Order, order ! Ques-
tion, question.) That was the question : let the people
be given a fair share of the power in electing their repre-
sentatives, to which they were justly entitled---then, and
not till then, the people might be entrusted with arms.
He concluded by moving that instead of the reduction
from 88,000 to 81,000, the reduction be to '71,000.
Sir A. GRANT (the Chairman) inquired if the mo-
tion of the Hun. Member for Preston referred to a period
of three months or twelve?

Mr. HUNT—For one year.
Lord MORPETH said that after the threat of the
Hon. Member for Preston, he should confine himself
striAtly to the limit which of old was pre,cribed to Cin-
derella.—(Laughter.)—With vote and voice he had
always supported measures of economy ; and the present
Ministers were in some degree brought into office on
the pledge and principle of economy ; but surely such
a reduction as that of 10,000 men would be stinting
Ministers beyond what a reasonable and wise confidence
demanded. He felt perfectly assured that his Noble and
Right Hon. Friends would effect any practical reduc-
tion in the national expenditure ; and he was sincere
and sanguine in the belief that the expectations of the
country in that respect would not he disappointed.
An Hon. Gentleman opposite had taunted the gentlemen
of England with unwillingness to engage in military asso-
ciations for the maintenance of public order. He con-
fessed he did not desire to see any imitation of the French
system. He did not desire to see a national guard making
themselves the comrades of the Crown, the arbiters and
dictators of Parliament. He did not desire to see the au-
thorities assisting at the demolition of (s.surches, or destroy-
ing monuments of art at the bidding of a tyrannical mob.
The Hon. Member for Preston seemed to regret that the
French had not returned to a Republic. Their recollec-
tions of their former Republic could scarcely be very
pleasing to them. In one word, be would say that they
could not pay too dearly for order at home and peace
abroad. He much regretted that the House should find
itself under the necessity of granting so large a force, but
he should much more deeply regret had his Noble Friend
expressed sentiments different from this, that the military
was not the service es-ential and appropriate to the defence
of England. Such a military force as they were com-
pelled to vote was an evil—but it was a necessary evil.
Colonel DAVIES said, that after the promises on the
part of the Noble Lord, that every point connected with
the military should be minutely looked after, he did not
feel called upon to press his motion any further.
Mr. HUNT, however, persevered in his; and the
House divided for the amendment of the Hon. Member for
Preston—

For the motion 6
Against it 250
Majority —244
The original question was then agreed to—the House
resumed, and the report to be received this day (Tuesday).
Sir JAMES GRAHAM gave notice that on Friday he
should move the Navy Estimates.
REFORM IN PARLIAMENT.

Mr. BENETT presented several petitions from parishe
in Wiltshire, praying for Reform in Parliament.
Mr. HODGES presented several similar petitions from
various places in Kent, praying for the vote by ballot, and
for universal suffrage. One of the petitions, from the
parish of Leeds, prayed for the repeal of the Union with
Ireland. The Hon. Member expressed his cordial concur-
rence in all these petitions, except in the prayer of the last.
Mr. BARLOW HOY presented a petition, respectably
slgned, from the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight, against
the proposed tax on steam-boats.
Adjourned at Ten Minutes to Two o'clock.