The Sun.
London, England, 1841-07-27 00:00:00

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LONDON
TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1841.

Tt is too soon yet to say anything of the gene-
ral results of the Census, but we cannot forbear
directing attention to one cr two returns, which
confirm the statements we have repeatedly made,
that our population are gradually, but most
painfully, starved down to the level of our own
supply. In fact, the independence of the na-
tion, which is the pride and boast of the Duke
of WELLINGTON, and the aim of the Torier,
means literally nothing more than that our
people shall be continually starved down to the
quantity of food produced in England. Such is
the amiable intent and aim ofstatesmen, to whom
the people pay large' sums to protect them, and
whom they highly honour. Now to ourproofs.
We yesterday quoted from a Manchester
paper a statement that the population of the
township increased at the rate of 31i per cent.
in the decennial period ending 1831, while in the
decennial period ending 1841 it has increased
little more than 15 per cent. On a former occa-
sion we quoted a number of returns from the
same neighbourhood illustrating the same fact.
We find, in the Paisley and Glasgow journals,
some returns from Paisley which teach the same
lesson. In that flourishing town the increase
is only 2,203 persons on 46,199, or less than 5 per
cent., during the last-ten years. The three burgh

parishes, we are told, possessed a population by
the Government census, in, 1801, of 17,026; in
1811, 19,937 ; in 1821, 26,428 ; in 1831, 31,460 ;
and in 1841, 32,229, exhibiting in the first period
an increase in war time of 16 per cent.; in the
second, also partly war, of upwards of 30 per
cent.; and in the third period, wholly' peace, an
increase of upwards of 20 per cent. ; while in
the last period, also a season of peace, the in-
crease has been little more, in the burgh
parishes, than 21 per cent.
We are not sufficiently acquainted with the
limits of the burgh parishes to say that the
gradual check does not arise from the ground
within them being already closely occupied ; but
we quote this as an illustration of the general
condition of the town, including the suburbs, in
the whole of which the increase within the last
ten years has been only 2,203.
It is clear from the population of the burgh

parishes that the check to the population has
arisen and become powerful during the last ten
years. The Renfrezeshire Reformer states that
the prosperity of the town received a check in
1837. It adds that the small increase of popula-
tion is crowded into less house-room than was
occupied by the more limited population of

1831. Then the uninhabited houses amounted to
257, now it is 671. " The document," says that
journal, "presents indisputable evidence that the
resources and condition of the people in this
great manufacturing district are on the decline."
Thus the landowners and the priests, who envy
and hate the town population, and who have
made and supported laws to keep it down or
extinguish it, are unfortunately likely to obtain
their object. Our!, manufacturing towns, when
once the population has come to a still stand,
will soon thereafter go to decay.
But if (says the Edinburgh Review, in the article on the
Budget) the products of a rival once meet us in any
third market upon an equality, it is a proof that all
' these difficulties have been surmounted. if they shall
once have obtained a superiority, that market, so far at
least as respects the commodity in which we find our-
selves undersold, is-gone for ever. "We find by expe-
rience," said Mr. Gardner, (a very intelligent manufac-
turer, examined by the Committee of the House of Com-
mons on Hand-Loom Weavers in 1835), " that if we
lose a market one year, we lose it altogether. It is not
well to trifle with trade : by trying experiments for
only one year, we might shut ourselves out. Once in
possession of the market, they would keep it." The
explanation is to be found in the well-known law of
manufacturing industry, that, caterisparibus, with every
increase of the quantity produced the relative cost of
production is diminished ; and, what is the same in
different words, that with every diminution of the quan-
tity produced the relative cost of production is increased.
The larger the production the greater is the division of
labour, and consequently the skill of the workman, the
smaller the expense of superintendence, the more exten
sive the use of machinery ; in short, every element of
production become relatively more efficient, and every
source of expense is relatively diminished.

In our estimation, this passage, combined with
the facts we have adverted to,-.---that our manu-
facturing population is not increasing nearly so
fast as it was, brings before us an alarming fact.
It is plain that, as we lose markets, and other
nations gain them, their power to produce
cheaply is enhanced in proportion as ours is,
diminished, and they must of necessity go on
supplanting us more and more in all branches
of industry, and hasten our decay. Let that be
fairly set on foot, surrounded, as we are, with en-
vious competitors, and our declension will be more
rapid than was our rise. Even those who are
now born, if our present suicidal policy be per-
severed in, may live to see the day when stran-
gers from the United States shall wander
amidst the deserted workshops of Birmingham,
and the ruined factories of Manchester, as we
wander amidst the ruins of Greece and Rome,
and mourn over the departed greatness of the
native land of their ancestors, and the birth-
place of their own freedom.
It may well become a question with the peo-
ple, now that the population returns are esta-
blishing the fact, whether they will consent to be
starved out of existence to prove a political
theory. For our parts, we confess that we think

their patience under the harrow of Tory legisla-
tion and Tory coercion has already been carried
a great deal too far. The Government, using
that word in the large sense of the Constitution,
exists for their preservation and protection, and
when it robs and starves them, it no more de-
serves respect and obedience than a nest of
pirates.

We can, however, see a glimpse of hope for

them. Sir R. PEEL, we remember, said in one of
his speeches, that whenever any evidence was
brought that our manufactures were going to
decay, he would be graciously pleased to take the
subject into his consideration ! Be thankful, there-
fore, starving mechanics; be thankful hungry wo-
men and children; this great Tory statesman wil:
now, by his own acknowledgment, begin to think
you are deserving of his attention. When he is
safely installed in office, he may permit at least
an investigation into your sufferings, when that
shall be moved for by Mr. VILLIERS. Be thank-
ful, suffering, starving people ! Your distress is
now so great that it affects the public Trea-
sury, and through his wants as Minister
you will compel Sir ROBERT PEEL, from
self-interest, as a farmer is compelled when
he finds his cattle dying out, to provide you
more abundant and wholesome food.

By the financial tables, it appears that the reve-
nue for the financial year, 1841, was actually less by
304,8391. than the revenue of the preceding
year, notwithstanding an increase of taxation,
calculated to produce upwards of 2,000,0001. Be
thankful, therefore, suffering, starving, outraged
people ! The Premier that is to be, who has been
made wealthy by your excessive toils, and whose
wealth makes his partizans boast that he is
above the necessity of stooping to consult

those who have your confidence--the neces-
sities of the State, and the decay of
trade, though the whole crew of Tories
care not a rush if you all perish, will compel him
to save you. If he and they could multiply ma-
chinery to produce wealth and pay the taxes
without you, their whole career of insult and in-
jury demonstrates that these so-called servants
of the people would rather hasten you out of ex-
istence than endeavour to preserve you in life
and happiness ! The lower classes who starve
are known to the Tories as the swinish multitude,
as the canaille, as food for powder, as hones to
whet sabres on ; and only, like beasts of burden,
to be cherished and protected, so far as they are
required to produce the fortunes of the rich, and
the revenue of the State. At present, as the
State begins to feel or fear decay, the working
classes may now, if they are true to themselves,
receive some consideration.

It seems right again to remind the fruit-
growers, who have sent men to Parliament to
support Sir
ROBERTMinisters PEEL, that had the plan
abreen able
Ndv du tui
leds onh a svueg been for reducing the
carrtieedhuiyntosugeaffrec2t,d. they
r
lb. cheaper at least than at present. Here is a
statement on the subject, which we borrow from
siunga which the
Parliament,r,
a ene provincialenclose
paperon a sample
I of Brazil
as
Tories have refused, by their late vote
admit into this country, at a protective duty to the
\lre to
India planters of 50 per cent. ! Our house h
a quantity of it just now forexportation, and it costs bought
ost
225. per cwt., with 2i discount, or about 2:1-d.
and the duty proposed to be charged on it was pers lb.,
cwt., which would make the price, including duty under
per
6rid. per lb., more than 2d. per lb., loser than West In-
dia sugar can be got for, which difference the planters
pocket at the expense of the British public, besides 12s.
per cwt. of duty lost to the nation at large. East and
West India sugar being admitted for consumption into
this country, taxed at 245. per cwt., while the proposed
duty on Brazil sugar is 365. per cwt.
The fruit-growers must be well aware that a rise
of 2d. peril). in the price of sugar makes a great dif-
ference in the quantity of fruit which is preserved,
while it narrows the market for their produce
and lowers its price. At the same time, it will
enhance to them the price of their own preserves,
and of all home-made wines.

From the nature of our climate, in which the
finest fruits, common to the Continent, situated
in the same latitude as Britain—including grapes,
which are brought to perfection in countries
somewhat to the north of our southern shores—
sometimes fail to ripen, there is perhaps nocoun-
try where sugar is so much needed and where its

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