The Sun.
London, England, 1848-07-04 00:00:00

isur tomb.% att)

LONDON, TUESDAY, JULY 4, 1848.

The Protectionists have succeeded, by the factious
and vexatious opposition offered to the Government
propositions, in materially damaging the interests of
those whose especial friends and advocates they pro-
fessed themselves to be—like the greedy dog in the
fable, in grasping at the shadow, they have sacrificed
a portion, at least, of the substance which was actually
within their reach. As the resolutions cannot now
possibly be reported before the sth of July, all
foreign sugar must be admitted at the rate
of duty fixed by the Act of 1846, and as the
parties interested will, undoubtedly, avail themselves
of the chance thus afforded to avoid the increased
rate, we may fairly assume that the smaller duties
will be paid on all foreign sugars in bond on
Thursday and Friday morning, on which latter day
the Committee is to resume its labours. The national
revenue will thus suffer a loss of many thousand
pounds, and the West Indians will be deprived of a
portion of the protection tendered for their accept-
ance. Well, indeed, may they on the present occa-
sion exclaim, " Save us from our friends 1"

The House was last night engaged during the en-
tire evening in discussing an amendment proposed
by the Right Honourable Baronet the Member
for Droitwich, that for six years there should
be a differential duty of 10s. per cwt. in
favour of the produce of the British colonies, which
object he proposed to effect by at onc© lowering the
duty on British colonial sugar to 103., in place 0f145.,
as it now stands, or of 125., as proposed by Ministers.
That on foreign sugar should of course be continued
during the same period at 20s. The arguments in

support of the amendment have already been repeated
usque ad nauseam during the protracted debate that
took place before the House went into Committee.
In fact, the subject has been completely exhausted;
but still the time of the House is taken up, at a period
when so much remains to be done—while the advan-
tages of monopoly are enlarged upon, and
the Legislature is called upon to retrace its former
steps, and again to impose restrictions and impedi-
ments upon trade and commerce for the advantage
of a class—to fix duties, not for the legitimate object
of obtaining a revenue for the national exigencies, but
for the sake of protection. For that purpose we are
called upon to risk a loss of nearly one million ster-
ling, at a time when the income of the country is ina-
dequate to its expenditure and there is too much reason
to fear that there will be a deficiency, if not to the
amount at first supposed, still to an extent sufficient
to impress a 'prudent man with reasonable apprehen-
sions for the consequences, and which, if con-
tinued, must lead to an increase either of
our public debt, or of our already enor-
mous taxation. The Hon. Baronet attempted to
show that the loss would not amount to so large a
sum as that estimated by the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, but we cannot say that his arguments were
by any means satisfactory on the point, or such That
the Minister of Finance would consider himself jus-
tified in acting upon and encountering the risk of so
serious a loss. The question, too, would not by any
means be settled, even if the proposition of the
Hon. Member was acceded to. Indeed, he de-
clared that "he could express no decided
opinion as to what should be done at the
end of the period for which he proposed
this duty; he would give no explanation as.to whether
he would then equalise the duties or have a descend-
ing scale." In fact, the object of the West Indians,
as we have already shown, is that a permanent pro-
tection should be obtained, all their arguments go to
that extent ; but as the proposition might appear too
startling if put forward plainly and unequivocally,
they only ask for that protection for a limited period,
when the discussions are again to be resumed, and
we are again to bear of the ruin of our colonies, and
the abandonment of the cultivation of sugar therein,
I unless the protection, which was merely tolerated for
the period of transition from an erroneous to a wiser
and snore politic system, should be perpetuated.
Nothing could possibly be more injurious than this
uncertainty to all parties concerned. It would keep
up that feverish and excited state which is so very
prejudicial, and consumers would be compelled to
pay higher prices without any actual or real benefit
to the producers. Whatever may be done, let it at
least have the appearance of finality. If it should
appear to be based on incorrect principles, the Legis-
lature may review its decision, but do not render the
renewal of the discussion a matter of necessity.
The amendment of the Hon. Baronet found 169
supporters last night, there being a majority of 62 fur
MiListers. On the division which took place on
Thursday last, 245 Members opposed going into
Committee, but, as we then showed, the minority on
that occasion were actuated by the most conflicting
and opposite views, and would not again be found
going into the same lobby on a division. The Go-
vernment resolutions will therefore be carried, al-
though the business of the country may be retarded,
and serious injury inflicted upon the very parties
they desire to serve, by the stubborn and pertina-
cious resistance offered by the Protectionists.

During the last three or four months, in our politi-
cal world, as in our theatrical world, the home in-
terest has been eclipsed by the foreign. When
abroad revolutions were of daily and almost hourly
occurrence, when every succeeding bulletin an-
nounced some new marvel, was it possible that
public attention should keep its Argus eyes rivetted
upon homely matters ? When, in other countries,
republics started up to-day, kings were dethroned
yesterday, and emperors might be to-morrow, do-
mestic affairs dwindled into insignificance,
and " motions made and questions put,"
in the House of Commons, seemed unworthy of
consideration. The patriotism of Chartism, indeed,
endeavoured to render England as politically conspi-
cuous as her neighbours, but those magnanimous
efforts, as Lord BEAUMONT said in speaking of
the theatres, only presented us with indiffe-
rent translations of French pieces, than which
it were preferable to see the originals. So
thought the public on the 10th of April and
the 12th of June, and the Chartists retired from
their too-ambitious position, like the Theatre Hiato-
rive from the boards of Drury-lane. But, added
Lord BEAUMONT in the observations just referred to,
were national talent adequately displayed, the
British drama would again become a rallying
'point of attraction. Some such consideration
as this has, apparently, suggested itself to our
political actors. The Liberal party, at least, have be-
stirred themselves to afford a correct representation
of the spirit and sentiment of the country. They
have been so far successful inasmuch as the pro-
ceedings of the House of Commons are now again in-
vested with their due importance, and regarded with
more than ordinary public interest. Thanks to Mr.
HOME'S motion we are no longer producing bad
copies of French pieces—we are now perfectly
original. While the continental nations are rough-
hewing constitutions modelled after the pattern of
our own, we can afford to occupy ourselves with
the perfecting and improving of that admirable but,
as yet, in some respects faulty and unfinished struc-
ture. While the great question of Reform is under
the consideration of the House of Commons, the
House of Commons will be again the focus of public
attention. It will be again, as it should be, the
paramount object of interest to the inhabitants of
these kingdoms—the paramount, but assuredly not
the sole object of their interest. The political
affairs of foreign nations are now of too important a
character, and the well• being of those nations is too
immediately connected with our own, and moreover
the bond of sympathy which knits nation to nation is
now become infinitely too powerful, to render it
possible that the English people should feel indifferent
to events occurring abroad. It is impossible but that
we should still continue to regard with anxious
interest the struggle of the young Republic across
the water—the fabrication of the new French Consti-
tution will still arrest our scrupulous attention, the
memory of the late Executive Government which
was inspired by the glorious moderation of LAMAR-
TINE will still elicit our most cordial eulogium,
notwithstanding the slanders of the now domi-
nant faction, and the designs of the Socialists
will still excite our indignation and apprehen-
sion. It is impossible, likewise, but that Spain,
with its unhappy SOVEREIGN, with its Ministerial
tyrants, and with its generous but ill-used people—
Spain, more especially with whom recent events have
placed this country in a peculiar and ominous posi-
tion—it is impossible but that the Iberian peninsula
will be the source of very considerable interest
to the English people. Italy, in like manner, '
will arrest their regard, and their warmest sympa-
thies must inevitably follow the Italian patriots in
their protracted struggles. The kingdoms of the
North—Austria with its self-exiled Emperor, Hun •
gary, Prussia, and Germany, newly animated with
the spirit of nationality—will each in their turn claim
a share of English sympathy ; nor will the buried
glories of Poland be forgotten ; her coming resurrec-
tion will be watched for with unceasing hope. Ne-
vertheless, with all these claims, these peculiar and
important claims on our attention, with all these en-
thralling subjects of interest soliciting our re-
gard, it must not be forgotten, that, as we
have already said, the Parliament of England
should be the paramount object of observation to
Englishmen. By the decisions of our Parliament
it is that we have obtained those liberal institutions
and those great reforms in which we glory, and by
the decisions of our Parliament it is that we look to
receive those yet mere liberal institutions and those
yet greater reforms which the people of this country
so much require. Their immediate and zealous at-
tention to these necessary and much desired mea-
sures, is a duty the Parliament undoubtedly owes
to the people, and their unceasing interest and cordial
co-operation the people owe to the Parliament. It is
a consideration of these mutual duties which induces
us to regard with so great a sense of satisfaction the
popular course recently adopted by a large body of
our representatives, and the earnest sympathy testi-
fied by the people in the deliberations now
taking place at Westminster. No subject could pos-

sibly be bets ;er calculated to call these relative duties
into existenc e than one which so nearly and so pecu-
liarly concer is both people and Parliament as the
question of i•eforming our system of representa-
tion. That great question, on its first intro-
duction, gave occasion to one of the most inter-
esting and elc )quent debates which has taken place
this session. To every succeeding debate upon this
important su,b;iect the public will look with eager in-
terest. The i nanner in which the matter progresses
will inevitably. excite their interest and anxiety, but,
as to its -ultimate result, we ars confident that, like
ourselves, the people of the country entertain no
doubt whatsoever.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

We have received the Paris papers of yesterday.

The ltitouiteur publishes the following handsome
testinratiy to the loyalty of the proceedings of the
English Government, which, during the days of the
insurrection in France, M. FLOCON had thought proper
to calumniate before the Assembly. The insinuations
directed at the tribune of the National Assembly
against a neighbouring country by one of the mem-
bers of the late Government having justly moved
the Ambassador of England, his Excellency thought
it his duty to protest energetically, by a note, ad-
dressed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, dated the
27th ult., against the possible application of these words
to the English people or English Government, whose
good faith and character are of themselves a suffi-
cient reply to such attacks. The Minister for
Foreign Affairs, appreciating the noble suscepti-
bility of Lord lioamaNnr, replied as follows :

" THE MINISTER! OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO HIS EXCEL-

LENCY THE AMBASSADOR OF ENGLAND.

" My Lord,—My opinion, and that of my Govern-
ment, is, that the Government of her Majesty the Queen
is too loyal to have taken any part i❑ exciting the
frightful scenes in Paris. I see no impropriety in your
giving to this declaration, as well as to your own note,
such publicity as you may deem proper. I sh ould see
you do so with the more pleasure, as it would afford a
new proof of the reciprocal sentiments of good friend-
ship which animate both our Governments.
" I have the honour to be, my Lord,
" Your most devoted,
" JULES BASTIDE."
The Moniteur also gives Lord PALMERSTON'S reply
to Mr. WYLD in most conspicuous form.

The process of disarmament still goes on with
energy. On Sunday a force of 500 men surrounded
the village of Puteaux, near Neuilly, and disarmed
the inhabitants. Puteaux was the bead-quarters of
the Socialists. The imprisonment of M. EMILE DE
GIRARDIN still continues. He is guarded au secret,
and although Madame GIRARDIN has offered bail for
him in 100,000 francs, it has been refused. The
cause of his arrest and detention is the discovery of
certain correspondence implicating him in treason-
able practices against the Republic, and not the pub-
lication of articles in his newspapers.

The attempts at incendiarisin and assassination
still continue. A few nights since an attempt was
made to set fire to the Chateau de Beaumont, near
Blois, belonging to M. DE La'roux. It was neces-
sary to send for a body of troops, who succeeded in
extinguishing the fire, but the incendiaries have
escaped.
We have before alluded to the connexion of the
Legitiinatists with the insurrection, and to the
fraternization which is going on everywhere betwee❑
the Aristocrats and the Communists. The following
is an additional proof of the connexion of the Legiti-
matists with the outbreak of the 23d June :—Count
DE FOUCHICOURT and his son, a young man twenty.
four years of age, both residing at No. 7, Rue St.
Anastase, near the Rue St. Louis, distinguished
themselves for their resistance at the barricades, of
which they were the chiefs, in their quarters. The
COUNT planted a white flag on the barricades at which
he fought. He was recognised by M. IsAMBERT,
lieutenant in the 6th Legion, and that gentleman,
assisted by some comrades and mobiles, arrested him
at his own house on Sunday evening. "It is true,"
said M. DE FOUCHICOURT, " that I fought at the
barricade, and I did so in the name of order ; for, in
my opinion, order cannot be re-established in France
without the restoration of legitimate royalty."
BARBES, and the prisoners arrested on account of
the affair of the 15th Diay, have been transferred
from Vincennes to Ham.

The following report of the proceedings of the Na-
tional Assembly yesterday will be found most im-
portant. General CAVAIGNAC, it will be seen, an-
nounced the dissolution of the Ateliers Nationat,
and M. GOUDCHAUX made a financial exposition of
so satisfactory a nature that there was a great rise in
the funds immediately after.

The President took the chair at a quarter past two.
The President read a letter from the members of the
committee of inquiry
,appointed to investigate the cir-
cumstances connected with the late insurrection, de-
claring, as they generally held two sittings!e. day, of from
four to five hours each, they begged leave to be dis-
pensed with for a short time from attending the ordinary
sittings of the Assembly .
General Cavaignac, President of the Council, ascended
the tribune amidst the deepest silence, and said that he
came there to redeem the promise which he had given to
the Assembly in the course of the past week relative to the
national workshops. The organization of that body had
reached a most critical point ; the original idea had been
good, but in the course of time it bad become altogether
dangerous; it had, in fact, been turned away from the
first intention, of giving aid to the poorer classes, and
had been converted into a powerful instrument to assail
the Republic and public liberty. He should not enter
into an examination of the details connected with these
establishments, but he must declare that it was evident
that most decisive measures were demanded respecting
them. Now that the Republic was relieved from the
danger which had of late so seriously threatened it, he
had thought it useful to ask the opinion of many as to
the number of workmen engaged in the late insurrection,
and the estimates given were of the most diverse charac-
ter. The highest number which he had heard men-
tioned was 50,000, and as there had been from 105,000
to 106,000 inscribe 1, it was evident that less than one-
half at most had been engaged. A great number of
the men hail in fact continued well disposed ; still a
terrible attempt had been made, and the Government
had come to the resolution to dissolve at once the estab-
lishments in question. As to the support to be given to
the persons of
good conduct thus thrown out of bread,
he had given orders to the mayors to continue, for the
present, such assistance as might appear suitable under
the circumstances, and which should be withdrawn
according as the revival of work would permit it. Aid
was at present regularly given, and would be continued
until further orders. He had now, therefore, to announce
that the national workshops were dissolved, but
the Assembly would easily comprehend that the
Government must be prepared to bring forward
measures to supply the place of the assistance
previously given. That had already much occupied
the attention of the Minister of Finance, and he would
continue to do everything in his power to restore con-
fidence. He had to announce, in the first place, that
the State was resolved to fulfil all its engagements.—
(Hear, hear.) For the present moment, the measure
vc hich the Government should propose, as more particu-
larly affecting the working classes, was a Bill demanding
a credit of 5,000,000 f. to be advanced to the persons
engaged in building. This would not only give em-
ployment to a considerable number of men directly,
but would be advantageous to the various trades con-
nected with building. He should leave to the Minister
of Finance to state what financial measures he intended
bringing forward. The National Assembly would, be
doubted not, give them such support as would soon
restore manufactures and general business.—(Hear.)
M. Goudchaux, Minister of Finance, said that the
reports presented in the name of the Finance Committee
had shown the Assembly that the large amount of the
floating debt bequeathed by the Monarchy to the Re•
public had imposed on them the sad necessity of adjourn- '
ing the payment in cash of the sums due to the savings'
banks and to the holders of Bons du Trfior. This ad-
journment had produced the very worst effects on credit,
public and private. He determined in consequence to
pay off immediately the persons interested in these two
matters. The Bons du Tresor should be consolidated
in three per cent. at the price of 48f. for a sum total of
246,835,464 f., of which 126,458,562 f. were issued before
Feb. 24, and 120,376,895 f. renewed by the decree of
March 16, The depositors of the sums placed in the
savings' banks, amounting to 330,608,134 f., should
be paid in Five per Cents. at 70f. As to the loan men-
tioned by his predecessor in his financial statement, of
150,000,000 from the Bank of France, he could not but
approve of such a measure, and did not intend to inter-
fere with so happy an arrangement. His predecessor
had also spoken of 100,000,000 as likely to come from
demands for rentes from the provinces, but he considered
that though the idea was good, the sum to be yielded
would not be anything like what was estimated—at the
most, owing to the shock given to credit, not more than
twenty-five millions could be looked for. As to the 100
millions arising from cutting down of the State woods, he
was obliged to consider such an amount as exceedingly
doubtful; it was, in fact, impossible to fix any sum with
exactitude for such matters; but the Government would
do all they could to render the idea of his hon. predecessor
a productive one. He might, however, observe that the
sum fixed appeared altogether too high. His prede-
cessor had also set down 45,000,000 f. as the sum held by
the railway companies. The Government considered
that to continue that plan would, from the large issue
which it would require of rente to pay for the lines, pro-
duce a great depreciation in the public funds, and would
tend to still further injure the state of public credit. In
consequence the Government intended to abandon the
measure in question.—(Loud cries of "Hear, hear.")