The Sun.
London, England, 1841-05-19 00:00:00

jj 4

LONDON:
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1841.

In the Lords last night, the Marquis of BREA.DAL-
BANE, on presenting petitions in favour of the Minis-
terial propositions, declared his approbation of them.
That the, enemies of free trade are also the foes of
liberty, and the dire foes of Ireland, is plain by the
Earl of WINCHILSEA presenting petitions, in conjunc-
tion, to preserve the Corn-laws and to exclude the Ca-
tholics from Parliament. The bigots know that
they must starve the people to attain their object.
After a few more petitions had been presented against
the Poor-laws by our indefatigable friend Earl FITZ-
WILLIAM, their Lordships adjourned till Monday next.
'Wednesday is a usual holiday, Thursday is Ascension-day,
Friday is kept as the Queen's birthday, and therefore
their Lordships will not meet till next Monday.
In the Commons the adjourned debate was again re-
newed by Mr. SHELL, and brought to a close, after
a series of superior speeches by that gentleman,
Mr. HERRIES, MT. VILLIERS, Mr. C. BULLER, Sir
ROBERT PEEL, and Lord PALMERSTON, at three a:clock
when the House divided. We shall only say now of
Sir ROBERT PEEL'S speech that it was completely
jejune and unsatisfactory, so far as his determination to
vote with Lord SANDON on the Sugar Duties went,
though he gave a slap to the Manchester Chamber of
Commerce, clear and explicit, on the subject of the Corn-
laws, on which we will make none, or but some petty al-
terations of a few pennies in the sliding scale, vigorous as
a personal defence, and as a personal attack on the
Ministers, for he provoked some hearty laughs against
the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER seated on an
empty chest, and fishing for a budget in bottomless defi-
ciencies—but sadly unsatisfactory for the country as to
what he would or could do in the present difficulties.
He made rather light of them, admitted commercial dis-
tress, but thought it might blow over as credit in
America recovered. The Right Hon. Baronet spoke for
nearly two hours and three-quarters, and rivetted the at-
tention of the auditory through the whole period.
Lord PALMERSTON gave an admirable account of the
policy which the Ministers have zealously pursued in
suppressing the slave trade and slavery ; and he
showed that the Ministerial plan of lessening
commercial jealousy would enable the Government
more effectually to suppress the slave trade. We recom-
mend his admirable speech to the attentive perusal of all
the anti-slavery men. The Noble Lord clearly laid
down the basis of the Ministerial policy as hostile to
monopolies, and advocated in the boldest language the
noble doctrines of free trade.

Lord JoaN RUSSELL explained that he should
cake no second debate on Ms resolution, but only
a division. He repelled Sir ROBERT PEEL'S- attack
on the Ministers for holding office contrary ti
the spirit of the Constitution, after they had lost;
the confidence of the country, and proved by his
language that the Ministers have deeply con-
sidered their situation, and have fully made up
their minds to bring forward the Corn-law-
question and then dissolve. With reference
to this question, the Noble Lord made some adMirable
remarks, to the effect that Providence, by its univem al
bounties, had made all mankind the partakers of the
same heritage, and by distributing plenty at one
time to one country, and at another time to
another, had provided against a general dearth,
and for the general fellowship of .mankind. The
Noble Lord concluded by emphatically telling the House,
a word in which will find an echo in every heart;, that if
the people suffer from want of food, it is not. to be
attributed to Providence, which is ever bountiful,
but to bad and unjust laws. The Noble
cause of free trade and honest policy, in contra-
distinction to restrictions and roguery, is now
fairly launched, and we trust will come speedily to a.
safe haven. The Noble Lord spoke for a few minutes
only, and the House then divided. On the motion for
the Speaker to leave the Chair,
Aye 5................................. ...................... 281
Noes ...................................................... 317
Majority in favour of Lord SANDON'S resolution
—36
Lord JOHN RUSSELL'S resolution, an amendment on
Lord SANDON'S, was then put, and negatived without a
division, and Lord SANDON'S resolution agreed to ; so
that the Tories have resolved that the starving people of
England shall not have cheap sugar, lest that, perchance,
might work some injury to unborn Africans. The House
having come to this vise decision, adjourned.

Mr. T. DTTNCOMBE'S speech on Monday night
has roused the fury of the Tories. Till we read
the remarks of the Post and the Standard we
were not sensible of its great value. Scenes
similar to those he described are familiar to us.
We have continually laid before Four readers
afflicting accounts of the destitut tof our popu-
lation at Bolton, in the suburbs of London, and in
our manufacturing and agricultural districts.
Mr. DIINCOMBE'S speech did not, therefore, make
the same impression on us that it made on our
Tory Contemporaries, who are filled with dread .