The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-21 00:00:00

Monti= _5101a4

LONDON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1847.

It is utterly impossible to scan the discussions in
both Houses of Parliament, upon the Speech from
the Throne, without congratulating the population
upon the cordiality with which our legislators, of
every diversity of political opinion, unite in their ex-
pressions of sympathy towards Ireland. That certain
differences should arise respecting the course pur-
sued by Government in reference to the Montpensier
alliance, is the natural consequence of the complica-
tion of that question. Hence we are not surprised
that the Hon. Member for Shrewsbury considers
the view taken of that marriage by Lord PALINIEBSTON
to have been a misconception, and the view of the
French Cabin.t an exaggeration. The signification
x, _-- -•,••• -•-• cr•••••••., •• 0, a -t;uti Lra-
riety of opinion as to the policy of the principles
adopted by Lord ABERDEEN, and continued by his
successor in the Foreign Department. Ireland, on the
contrary, presents a picture of indisputable pecu-
iarities. No individual would be mad enough to
deny the necessitous condition of her people.
No individual would be mad enough 'to render
his name execrable to the million by impeding
the extraordinary measures already undertaken, or
about to be proposed, by the Administration for the
immediate alleviation of their distresses. The aspect
of Ireland being at this moment one panorama of '
continuous desolation ; the spectacle of disease, in-
subordination, and famine in that island " exhibiting
itself," as Lord BROUGRAM eloquently exclaimed,
"in colours exceeding anything to be found in the
page of THUCYDIDES, or the canvass of Ponssist, or
the dismal chant of DANTE," it becomes an absolute
necessity that the Legislature should evince una-
nimity in striving to satisfy the wants of that portion
of our fellow-countrymen. Otherwise the privations
of the Irish peasantry must be increased to an extent
from the bare supposition of which the imagination
shrinks back appalled. The western districts of Scot-
land, again, are afflicted with a deficiency of food so
serious as materia!ly to enhance the responsibilities of
our rulers. Under these perilous circumstances the
indulgence of party animosities and political rivalry
would be criminal and inhuman. And it was this
consideration which induced her MAJESTY to confide
these matters to the care of Parliament, "in the full
conviction that its discussions would be guided by an
impartial spirit." As far as the preliminary night of
discussion can be regarded as an augury of the dis-
position of our legislators, that impartial spirit pro-
mises to preside over the deliberations of the two

Houses.
Upon the advisability of an immediate relaxation
of the restrictions still imposed upon the importation
of provisions, there is little likelihood but that the
dissentience of the Protectionists will give way.
Expediency, however, peeps out in the very indica-
tion of their intention to yield. "If we are to allow
the introduction of untaxed sugar into the distilleries,"
say they, " give our native agriculture compensation
by repealing the malt-tax." Sly as ever—these plausi-
ble gentlemen ! What says Lord STANLEY, as the
avowed leader of the Protectionists ? Why, he plainly
expresses his conviction that " the agriculturists will
not oppose the temporary removal of the 4s. duty."
Sir R. I.)zer., is still more explicit in his approbation
of the Ministerial proposition for opening the
ports, for suspending ' the navigation laws, and
for introducing molasses and sugar into the
processes of brewing and distillation. "It
is my intention," he says, "to give my cordial
support to these measures." Upon the manner in
which the Ministry had dealt, daring the vacation,
with the evils arising from the dearth of food in Ire-
land the Right Hon. Baronet spoke in terms of com-
mendation. No one could comprehend more entirely
the difficulties of legislation in that part of the
United Kingdoms ; and knowing the magnitude and
abundance of those difficulties, he approved o

the energetic, though inefficient, labours of the
Administration. Even Lord STANLEY, in allud-

ing to the alterations introduced into the operation
of the Public Works Act by the Lord-Lieutenant of
Ireland upon his Excellency's own responsibility, ob-

served that he was certain that neither in the Lords
nor in the Commons would there be any hesitation
in giving the Government an act of indemnity for

those laudable evasions of the law. We can readily

understand that iron-headed obstinacy which prompted
the eccentric Member for Limerick to interrupt the

amicable proceedings of the debate upon the Royal
Speech with an oratorical howl, indicative of the

wilfulness and the waywardness of the Young Ire-

lauders. Mr. WILLIAM SMITH 013auri has such

an insatiable appetite for notoriety, that the éclat of a

skHmmage "is preferable to the obscurity of a re.

spectable. quiescence. If we may believe WILLIAM

CARLETON and the like writers of fiction,
the countrymen of Mr. O'BRIEN have a

pleasant way of " promoting a disturbance,"
at. Donnybrook and elsewhere, by trailing their