The Sun.
London, England, 1840-04-08 00:00:00

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.

FROM THE MORNID TAPERS OF THIS DAY.
( From the Morning Post )
No ore of good sense will deny that manufacturing in-
dustry to a certain extent, especially when carried on in
conjunction with more or less of agricultural pursuits, is
of the utmost importance both to the comfort and mental
improvement of a nation ; but there are very many wise
men, and we believe the wisest in this country, who believe
that we have in England pushed the manufacturing system
a great deal too far, both with reference to the mainte-
nance of the homely virtue of the nation and to the na-
tional peace and security. The result of the system, in
the extent to which it is at present carried, is to make the
prosperity of a great part of our population dependent
upon the policy of foreign countries. This is net quite
so bad as being dependent upon those foreign countries for
our food, which is the improvement that the manufac-
turers demand ; but it is a great political evil, and appears
to be increasing every year.
(From the Times.)
What is called " The Printed Papers Bill," involving
the new privilege claimed by the House of Commons, is
now on its way through the House of Lords, and will be
discussed in detail as soon as Lord Lyndhurst is able to
take Its scat. For our own parts, we retain the opinion
which we that gave on this subject—that neither I-louse has
a rational right to any privilege whatever, but that of de-
liber,Aing, and deciding without impediment, hindrance, or
future responsibility, on the public matters which arc sub-
jected to its consideration. If physically obstructed, they
may remove the obstruction by summary imprisonment
during the session. If libelled, the courts are open to
them—they may prosecute by the late officers. With these
privileges, the whole duty of legislation ma.y be fully and
effectually perforated. And what right can a legislative
body have to more ?
(From the Morning Ilcrott.)
replied to Sir Graham in a speech
James •
Mr. Macaulay
of considerable eloquence. Viewed as en answer to Sir
James Graham's arguments, Mr. Macaulay's speech waa
absolutely a failure ; hut when regarded as a display of skill
in debate, it may be pronounced superior to any other effort
which Mr. Macaulay has made in Parliament. Sir Wil-
liam Follett succeeded Mr. Macaulay ; and in a speech of
consummate ability, overthrew that Right lion. Gentleman
horse and foot, The eloquence
the arts that are habitual
of Sir William Follett is
li
of the biaeStorder. disdains
to your flashy word-mongers,. He. appeals at once to the
highest forms of intellect tu the minds of his hearers, and to
their best affections. His speech of last night merits the
closest consideration by all who would really understand the
Chinese question.
( From the Morning Chronicle.)
The memorable concession made by Sir Robert Peel in
Friday's debate, that our strength as a nation, our position
in the scale of nations, and even the prosperity of our
agriculture, are contingent upon the thriving condition of
manufactures, is a concession that cuts up the case of the
corn monopolists root and branch.
With this concession all controversy substantially ends.
This is the great point—th e one point in debate. The only
.l,
rational interpretation ofstruirOe is that of Ps
twin, a e olitest whether we shall, or shall not, he a mann-
factUring nation. t;t•aiit that, and it mist follow that lit
merely the ,ortial infliction of a considerable degree of iti-
'pry by tin
t tint merely anti- degree of dena,,n_
strated injury, but even the rere.ote prospect of injury,
would be a sufficient reason for their repeal or modification.
(From the Morning Advertiser.)
In returning to the Chinese question, we willingly take
the opportunity of noticing a very uncandid attempt to in-
fuse into the discussion a spirit of prejudice and bitterness,
in which we are sorry to find the Spectator acting a lead-
ing. part. That journal has given to the intended hostile
expedition the absurd title of The Opium War," for the
express purpose of conveying to its readers an impression
that the object of the Government is to Protect a lawless
traffic, .to compel the admission of a pernicious drug,
and to encourage habits and practices tending to the
corruption of morals and the destruction of life. In thus
acting, we do not scruple to attribute to our contemporary
either a total ignorance of facts, or a wilful misrepresenta-
tion of them for party purposes. It is perfectly true that
the quarrel has .its origin in the contraband trade in opium ;
but. England elaiela no right to interfere with the fiscal
regulations of the Chinese Cinvcrnment, R.pd bas neither
encouraged, nor proposed to encourage, a prohibited trato.