The Sun.
London, England, 1823-05-10 00:00:00

r der ; is prosecuted, convicted; and, after conviction defies the
law, and employs wife, sister, shopwoman„ shopmen, and shop-
boys, in the daring circulation of sedition and blasphemy.—
This is his offence. Then for his punishment he is sent to a
1 country residence, F•robably ten times as airy and pleasant as
any he ever occupied during his pursuit of honest industry.—
, Here, instead of being kept, as much less atrocious offendert
are, to hard labour, he occupies himself in writing new libels,
and devising new modes to frustrate the provisions of law ; and
fares comfortably on the subscriptions which he collects from
his associates in criminal princi le. This is what a Member
of Parliament calls a" ma om," And, after all, we are
told that Carlile is "one of- best moral characters in Eng-
land." We have heard of our ancestors starting from their
places on hearing certain Parliamentary doctrines ; what would
they have done on hearing these statements ? One thing is
quite clear,.--solong as the dealers in this poisonous ware can
not only prosecute their abhorred trade, but find apologists—
nay eulogists, in a Christian British Senate, societies like those
by which such offenders are brought to justice have an unim-
peachable claim to public support, as well as to the applause of
every honest and virtuous Englishman.

•
[BRITISH PRESS.]
The address of the Protestant Union will be
found in another part of our Paper.—(Sec THE SU If of Wed-
nesday last.)—lt is really a precious document : The cup is
worth the cover.—The Protestant Ascendancy men assembled
in High-street, Southwark, to address Sir Harcourt Lees !
Really this must have astonished Father Thames, who was
probably not aware of this Baronet's Borough interest. " The
King of Dykes," as Pope calls him, could hardly, we think,
be pleased to find the tide of bigotry rolling so near his silver
stream,—but we trust he has nothing to fear from its pollution.
As to the Reverend Baronet himself, he will no doubt be
entitled to elevate his crest, after. having received so loyal a
tribute from these citizen representatives of the Protestant
Union. It must spur him on to deeds of fame. They will no
doubt plant his standard on the walls of the Treasury, and the
Tower ditch will echo with the triumphant buzzes of the Orange
Faction ! These appointed.
.preachtrs of righteousness—this
pious congregation of the faithful, tell the Reverend—what a
holy alliance!—the Rev.- Sir Harcourt, that they " are desirous
to strengtlfen his hands." Indeed !—better by half endeavour to
strengthen his head. This 'would be a work of charity. As
for attempting to canonize his vices, it is only exposing their
own. The political world will furnish examples of many a
one besides Sir Harcourt Lees, whom you cannot pass off for a
patriot without passing yourself off' for a knave. If the Irish
Member for Cavan soil his honours in a campaign against the
Catholics,. it is no great matter as for Mr. Peel, he is " a
man of gingerbread," and even the train-bands of corruption
can do little under such a leader; but we cannot but lament
to see any part of the clergy, whose duty it is to exemplify the
precepts ofrehristian magnanimity, signalize themselves in the
theatre of persecution. The teachers or religion should never be
seen to combat either for Protestant or for Catholic ascendancy.
They should cultivate no sentiments but those of mutual kind-
ness and forbearance. Let them study to promote the ascend-
ancy of moral truth and mutual benevolence. The clergy, of
whatever denomination will, at all dines, best discharge their
duty. to God by cherishing the spirit of peace and good-will to-
wards men. They dishonour religion anti disgrace themselves
when they dedicate their Influence to the service of Ministers,
or the purposes of faction.