The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-01 00:00:00

inotubt I 2'11114

LONDON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1846.

A word to our fellow-countrymen. Before the
last Parliamentary session our commerce, our manu-
factures, and our agriculture, were under the ban of
class legislation. That ban has been removed in defiance
of the most enormous obstacles. With the arrival of
1849 the population of England will be invested with
new liberties, will be endowed with prerogatives
hitherto unknown, will receive a physical, social, and
political advancement. That year will be one of the
grandest epochs in the emancipation of millions : it
will be held in perpetual and grateful remembrance.
The provisions of a whole people will not then be-
--,!ndent 'upon the casualties of a single climate ; the
if food will no longer fluctuate with the vicis-
th.e atmosphere or the deficiencies of vege-
i ash agriculture will be relieved from the
protection, and its capacities will be
developed by the emulation resulting
t.wam---- petition. British manufactures
r ,be hampered in their intercourse
customers ; new markets will be
n ;
,_their vast enterprise will extend
from which they have been hereto-
By the increased exertions of the
t and tenant-farmers, the peasantry
,re :I a constant and remunerative em-
By the additional demands upon the
curers the operatives will obtain better op-

..unities for th e exereit•e of their industry ; capital
will be embarked in a thousand propitious
speculations fro m which it was previously
Peatricted ; arti2uns and farm-labourers will
find themselves no longer sustained by a merely
casual occupation ; our more frequent intercourse
with other nations will render our friendship more
valuable, and, consequently, the preservation of peace
will be more readily insured ; the prosperity of the
empire will be no longer variable and intermittent,
but will be established, for the first time, upon a
healthy foundation ; no invidious preference will
thenceforth be g. iven by the Legislature to
the interest of ally one class ; but, beyond
all, food will be abundant, nutritious, and
accessible. This, we are aware, is an " oft-told
tale," but we repel tt it fur a purpose. We repeat it,
that we may thereky recall to public recollection the

certain and magnificent advantages consequent upon
the recent victory achieved in the British Parliament.
We would for a moment revive to the world in so
many words the vast and beneficent importance of the
triumph of free-trade principles—a triumph the more
inestimable because it was obtained over such
prodigious and accumulated difficulties. The glory
of this commercial conquest was not so much in its
being gained in spite of the amazing wealth, the ter-
ritorial influence, the aristocratic power, and the Par-
liamentary animosity leagued together against it, as
it was in being a conquest acquired over generations
of misrule, and over prejudices than which none were
ever more inveterate or universal.

Who obtained this victory ? Who removed this
ban ? Who dissipated this incubus ? Who van-
quished these prejudices ? Who abolished the per-
nicious sway exercised by this amazing wealth, this
aristocratic influence, this Parliamentary animosity?
We are by no means ungrateful for the exertions
of many estimable men for the abrogation of the
corn-laws and the opening of the ports. We would
on no account depreciate the value of their services
or detract (even by insinuation) from the importance
of their different labours. We can never forget how
valiantly, how consistently, how devotedly the Hon.
CHARLES VILLIERS toiled for years in the cause of
the people. We can never forget that he was pre-
eminently the popular champion in the days when
free trade was a derision and a mockery. Neither
can we forget the labours of Mr. BRIGHT, of the
Right Hon. MILNER GIBSON, of Colonel Tnoursori,
of EBENEZER ELLIOT, of W. J. Fox, and of several
others, who, by their eloquence, their reasoning, their
poetry, and their pamphlets, contributed to increase
the weight upon the lever by which so much was to
be ultimately moved. Their claims upon the popular
thankfulness cannot be overlooked; their exertions
cannot be forgotten so readily ; their names are
cherished in the hearts of the people. Bear-
ing these claims and these exertions distinctly
in our recollection, we would, nevertheless, direct the
attention of our countrymen to the paramount claims
and predominant exertions of one man yet unmen-
tioned. We would remind our fellow-citizens, that
as the late Prime Minister, Sir ROBERT
PEEL himself, intimated on his memorable re-
signation, if credit be especially due to
one individual in the realisation of those
glorious boons, that individual is RICHARD COBDEN ;
if the national gratitude is due to one benefactor, that
benefactor is RICHARD COBDEN ; if the vanquishment
of so many opponents is attributable particularly to
one leader, that leader is RICHARD COBDEN.

f So universal was the acquiescence in this opinion,
that immediately on the passing of the great measures
of 1846, it was determined to afford the Hon. Repre-
sentative of Stockport some tangible proof of the
t gratitude and admiration with which he was regarded
by Englishmen. It was remembered that to his un-
tiring zeal, to his persuasive and frequently superb
oratory, to his consistent logic, and unanswerable
arguments, were traceable more immediately the im-
pulse of the blow by which the fabric of Protection
was overthrown. It was seen, moreover, that in striv-
ing for the good of the people, COBDEN had not only
grievously neglected his private interests, but had
actually injured his constitution. Every one was
aware of his distinguished integrity, of his noble
forgetfulness of self, of the purity of his patriotism,
and the absorbing ardour of his benevolence. Every
one knew well enough that he had laboured not for
any pecuniary recompense, but for the happiness and
prosperity of the people. It was deemed, however,
incumbent upon the nation to bestow upon RICHARD
COBDEN some substantial testimony of its gratitude,
and thereby to testify to future patriots the readiness
of the population to acknowledge their illustrious
services even during life. The COBDEN testimonial has
already nearly reached the sum of eighty thousand
pounds. Nevertheless, it is but right that this testi
moni4 should be completed forthwith. Further
delaysy would be ungraceful. The sum, we have
i
l
just bserved, is something approaching to eighty
thous d pounds. Of itself it is a splendid amount,
no do bt ; but it is insufficient as a voluntary offer-
ing to \ such a man. It is insufficient, because the
original proposition of those with whom it originated
is remembered. Let us not on such an occasion, in
celebthion of such a victory, in honour of such a
_noliticil champion—let us not haggle about certain
additional guineas and shillings. Another twenty
thousatid, and the testimonial will be a hundred
thousa:;:d pounds. Surely we will not tender our
hero lo is than a plum ? Another twenty thousand.
1 and to oin ring indicative of the love which England
bears t ) RICHARD COBDEN will be complete.
Mr. COBDEN is now travelling through Continental
Europe for the renovation of his health, but his fame
has pre ceded him everywhere. In Paris he has re-
ceived i the welcome of a liberator ; in Bordeaux he
has met with the enthusiasm of the agriculturists ;
in Ali:Arid, in Seville, and in Cadiz, Spain
has received him with more than merely idle
acclam: 'dons. Mr. COBDEN will be speedily
returnii ag homewards : what better opportunity
for the presentation of the testimonial of English
gratitude ? Let him, fellow-countrymen, be thus
welcomed on his arrival ! We call upon you, as
you price the blessings conferred upon you, and your
children, and your children's children by the eman-
cipation: of commerce, we call upon you, as
you appreciate its importance and revere the
hand by which you have been thus nobly endowed,
to welcome RICHARD COBDEN with that most appro-
priate welcome—to realise at once the comparative
trifle by which the hundred thousand pounds will be
completed—and at some fitting banquet (say in the
scene of so many free-trade demonstrations, Covent-

garden Theatre, or elsewhere), to present that testi-
mony to one of the greatest of our national bene-
factors. Remember, our success is no common one,
and, beyond all, remember that RICHARD COBDEN
merits no ordinary reception on his return from his
European pilgrimage !

We trust that Lord PALMERSTON, to whose energy
and decision we are indebted for the possession of the
island of Lubuan, will not permit the affairs of Spain

and of Cracow entirely to engross his attention. It
is in the East we must seek for a counterpoise to
redress the balance of power, and we must seek for that
counterpoise not by the triumphs of war or diplomacy,
but ley the peaceful triumphs of commerce. The

Eastern Archipelago consists of 12,000 islands, ac,

cording to the Arabian authors (and there i 3 no reason
to believe that their account 3 are in this respect at
all exaggerated), inhabited by an industrious
and essentially commercial people, who are anxious
to exchange the rich produce of their islands--gold
camphor,' gums, spices, and, though last not least,
birds'-nests, for articles of British manufacture.
Some of our readers may be inclined to smile when
we mention birds'-nests as articles of traffic, but
these birds'-nests form a most important article of
commerce in the trade with China, where they are con-
sidered as the greatest delicacy, and where birds'-nest
soup is held in even higher estimation than turtle soup
is among the nations of the west. These birds' nests,
which in China fetch immense prices, would be wil-
lingly exchanged by the natives of the islands for
British manufactures, and thus, through our trade with
the Celestial Empire, might be made the means of
opening to us an immense market for British
manufactures among the islands of the
Archipelago of the Indian Ocean. In addition
to cultivating friendly and commercial relations
with the inhabitants of these islands, and
in enabling us to do so, the possession of
Lubuan as a naval station and a commercial empo-
rium, and more especially (abounding as it does in
the richest :coal-mines), as a steam-packet sta-
tion, will be invaluable, every effort should
be used to open a communication with the
Japanese empire. An embassy, cn a scale of
magnificence worthy of the great empire from which
it is sent, should be at once dispatched to the Court
of Jeddo. A mission of this nature should have
been dispatched by Lord ABERDEEN at the close of
the Chinese war. That opportunity having been
neglected, we hope Lord l'amasusToN will now take
advantage of one equally valuable, namely, the giving
up of Chusan, notwithstanding the non-fulfilment
by the Chinese of all the articles of the
treaty they had entered into with us.
This fact, so honourable to us, is well known to the
Court of Jeddo, and cannot but produce a deep im-
pression in our favour, and render the Japanese far
from averse to enter into a treaty with a mighty and
powerful nation, which so scrupulously observes

its engagements. That such favourable dispositions
towards England exist in Japan there can be little
doubt. Still less doubt can there be that Lord
PALMERSTON is both able and willing to take advan-
tage of them. _

The St. Petersburgh Gazette announces that the
Russian troops, on the 16th of October, defeated
SCHAMYL, killing 800 of his followers, and taking
four pieces of cannon, 21 caissons, several colours, 300
prisoners, and the axe which was always carried
before him.

Madrid papers of the 22d have arrived. They
confirm the intelligence, which appeared exclusively:in
The Sun of Thursday, of the defeat of SA DA BAN-
DEIRA, by CAZAL, near Chaves. They also publish a
letter from Lisbon, which states that Colonel WYLDE
had gone to Oporto to mediate between the Junta and
the QUEEN, and that there was every prospect of his
efforts being crowned with success.
The Clamor Publico publishes a letter from Man-
resa of the 13th, stating that a Carlist band of two
hundred men had appeared in Catalonia. Their war
cry is—

" Carlos VI.! The Constitution of 1837! Death to
the tributary system !"

The Carlists are persuaded, adds the same epistle—

"That in a few days they will dispose of a formidable
force, seeing what the feelings of the neighbouring
country people are. It is probable that we shall be-
hold a renewal of the melancholy scenes of the last
civil war."

Mr. HENDERSON, the agent of the Spanish bond-
holders, had bad several interviews with Senor Mori
the Finance Minister, and was well pleased with bis
reception.

We have received the Paris papers of Friday and
Saturday.
The Journal des Debuts copies from the Austrian
Observer, of the 20th, an article of enormous length,
which is evidently put forth by the three Powers as
an official justification of their conduct in destroying
the independence of Cracow. This article is only an
amplification of the manifesto of the Emperor of
AUSTRIA, which has been already published, and is,
to use the words of the Journal des Dihats," a mere
piece of special pleading in favour of the worst cause
ever known."
The National of the same day contains an address
from the Democracy of France to the Democracy of
Europe, in the name of the Committee of the National
and the Reforme. This address, which is signed by
the Abbe LAMENNAIS, MM. DE COURTAIS, LEDRU
ROLLIN, GUINARD, GOUDCHAUX, FERDINAND FLO-
CON, and ARMAND MARRAST, and which is drawn
up by the Abbe LAMENNAIS, is to be translated into
every European language, and 500,000 copies of it
circulated in every country of Europe. After pro-
testing against the extinction of the nationality of
Poland, it calls upon the democracies of all nations to
rise, and thus addresses her oppressors and tyrants :
"We thank you. By tearing the last veil that con-
cealed you, you have dissipated the last illusion of minds
too confiding, removed the last pretext for cowardly in-
action from the timid and feeble, and hastened your ruin
and the downfal of 3 our detested sway. There existed
similar compacts, denominated treaties by you, which
covered your conspiracies against the human family,
doomed by you to eternal slavery. You have torn those
treaties. You have abolished all positive right; you
proclaim the natural right, the imprescriptible right,
which guarantees an existence to every nation, as well
as to every individual, to be null and void in your eyes;
the right of force is the only right you recognise. Let
force, then, decide between you and us! In the insane
rride inspired to you by your material power, which we
dread not, because we believe in another power
—in the power of real right, in the power of duty—you
declare war against all Lations, against society itself,
which only lives by duty and right. Well, we accept that
war. War on those conditions becomes a holy war, and is
to us synonymous with victory, otherwise God would
not be God. It will no doubt produce martyrs, but, after
the struggle, you will appear humble, not before a Szela
and his sanguinary instrument, but before social justice,
which is both upright and inexorable. There will be
walling and gnashing of teeth; there also will be the pure
joy elicited in the hearts of nations by the assurance
of a better fate. Democrats of all countries, brethren
united by the same faith and the same hope, combine
your efforts in one common and unrelenting action.
Hoist amidst enslaved Europe the standard of emanci-
pation. Let nations startle at its sight, and, by an unani-
mous exertion, burst asunder their fetters. The heur
has come for everybody to perform his duty as a man.
To-day the combat—to-morrow the triumph Rise,
then!"
In the National of Saturday there appears a reply
to this energetic appeal, signed by the Central Polish
Committee of the Democratic Society, on behalf of
1,462 of their countrymen, which concludes thus :
" You have seen Poland protest, arms in hand, on a
hundred fields of battle ; you will again see her do
SA 7 oho is propn rine fa?' Prop.'s strugs-lco, and the last
crime perpetrated will hasten the hour of her freedom.
The Vienna treaties no longer exist. That compact
of spoliation, which never bound Poland, has been
destroyed by those who made it. Instead of it, arises
the alliance of nations; and it arises more powerful
than ever. None can break it up."
The Moniteur publishes a royal ordinance, autho-
rising the Minister for Foreign Affairs to open an
extraordinary credit of 290,000 francs, to defray the
expense of extraordinary missions.
The same official journal contains a notice of the
Minister of Marine, announcing that a supply of
4,000,000 kilogrammes of coal will be adjudicated at
Rochfort on the 19th of December, 1846, and that a
lot of 00,000 kilogrammes of coal for coke, another
of 4,000 hectolitres of slack for forges, a third of
500,000 kilogrammes of Welsh coal, and a fourth of
4,000,000 kilogrammes of sea coal, and 400,000 kilo-
grammes of new English cast iron, will be likewise
adjudicated at Nantes on the 26th of the same month.

The Siecle in commenting on the extraordinary
credit again opened to the Minister for Foreign Affairs
asks, "And what have we bought with all this mo-
ey ? The contempt of England, and outrages from
the Northern Powers, which our diplomacy has not
foreseen, and against which it has not had the courage
to protest."

The Presse of Friday contradicts the rumour that
had appeared in some of the other papers, to the effect
that Count MOLE had had an interview with the
ICING in the early part of the week, and says that
Count MoLzhas not been in Paris, and will not be

there until December 10. On Saturday, however,
Count MOLE, who, according to the Presse, was to
have remained at Champlatreaux until the 10th De-
cember, arrived in the capital, and immediately after-
wards had a long interview with Count MONTALITET,
he head of the Civil List Department, the confidential
agent of LOUIS PHILIPPE in all political affairs, and
who was a member of the Cabinet in the last MOLE
Ministry. Count MONTALIVET, before seeing Count
MOLE, had a long interview with M. DUCHATEL, the
Minister of the Interior, between whom and 111
GUIZOT differences are known to exist. Should

Count Mots form a Ministry, he will, it is said
have the support of M. TRIERS and his party.
BOURSE—PAsm, SATURDAY, Nov. 28.
THEME O'CLOCK.—The market was rather weak at first,
but after a little hesitation Fives improved. The Threes
opened at 81f. 60c., and after going up to 82f., closed at 811.
85c. After the Bourse they were done in the Coulisse at the
same price. Railway Shares were firm, and show a slight
improvement. For the Account, the Irench Three per
Cents. have risen 10c.; Five per Cents. 40c. ; Loan not
quoted. For Money, the Three per Cents. are unchanged ;
Five per Cents. have risen 40c. ; Loan not quoted. Bank of
France Shares, Ganneron Bank Shares, and Belgian Bank
Shares are unaltered. Gonin Bank I,ooof. Shares have risen
5f.; Roman, 1A ; and Rothschild's Receipts, 15c., being
quoted at 1021 25c. Neapolitan Bonds and Portuguese Five
per Cents. not quoted. Exchange on London (30 days),
25f. 47%c. ; ditto (90 days), 25f. 35c. Railway Shares for
the Account, settling of December 3 :—Rouen, Avignon to
Marseilles, and Orleans to Vierzon, have risen sf. each ; Or-
leans to Bordeaux, and Rouen to Havre, 2f. 50c. each ; Stras-
burg to Basle and Nantes, if. 25c. each; Paris to Strasburg
and Lyons are unvaried. For Money, Paris to Orleans have
risen 7f. 50c. ; Orleans to Vierzon, 5f.; Northern and Nantes,
2f. 50c. each; Paris to Strasburg and Lyons, If. 25c. ; Or-
leans to Bordeaux are unchanged; Rouen and Rouen to
llavre are not quoted.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, NOVXMBER 28.
Boulogne and Amiens, 131/2—Direct Bombay and Madras,
%—Dutch Rhenish, 4%—East Indian, lA—Jamaica South
Midland Junction, 15x—Luxembourg, %—Paris and Lyons
Constituted, 43/I—Paris and Rouen, 34514—Rouen and Havre,
25%.

CURIOUS RELIC OF ANTIQUITY.—Within the last
two months, as the workmen who were forming the lino
on the new railway at Beverly were digging about nine
feet deep, near the old Friary, in order In fix a gate post,
k came in contact with a large Co ie, which, when got
out, proved to be an antique quern, and is supposed to
have been one of the domestic utensils used by the
ancient Britons for grinding, or rather powdering their
corn to separate it from the husks or chaff. It is of rude
and simple construction, the centre being hollowed out,
of a circular shape, and somewhat resembling an in-
verted punch bowl. It is conjectured to be nearly 2,000
years old, and is now in the possession of Mr. George
Emsley.— Yorkshireman.

A DAY OP HUMILIATION.—Thursday is to be ob-
served throughout Scotland, by the various denomina-
tions of Presbyterian Evangelical Dissenters, as a day of
humiliation, on account of the afflictive visitation of Pro-
vidence in the potato failure.