The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-04 00:00:00

THE "Ef N.

capacity as arr: individual Member of the House, with
all his power. " A change, however, has come o'er
the spirit of his dream." He is now very differently
circumstanced; the duty has devolved upon him of
providing the way's and means for the payment of
the interest of cur enormous debt. and for the national
expenditure on our naval, military, and civil estab-
lishments. He has, therefore, in his new position,
adopted the argument of the Roman Emperor, "non
olet nummus "—provided he procures the neces-
sary amount, he is little solicitous as to the
:manner in which it may be obtained, or the
propriety or justice thereof. A stronger illus.
t ration could not be afforded of the dying
miser's last injunctions to his hopeful heir.
" My son get money—honestly if you can, but at all
events get money." What matters it that it is unjust—
that it is inquisitorial—that it falls most heavily upon
those who are the least able to resist the demand,
who possess no Parliamentary influence, who cannot
command a majority in the popular branch of the
Legislature. They can only claim exemption upon
grounds founded upon the equity of their cause; but,
alas ! their very weakness invites aggression—their
arguments are only those of the lamb, and the old
fable tells us how trifling was the effect thereby
produced upon the wolfish assailant.
The people do not refuse to be taxed—they are
willing to charge themselves with the sums re-
quired for the maintenance of the national honour
and the national credit ; they only demand that the
amount may be fairly collected, and that each person
should be called upon to contribute to the burden in
proportion to his means—to the stake he has in the
country—to the real value of the interests for which
he requires protection. The State secures him in
the enjoyment of his personal liberty and property
so long as he observes the laws enacted for the general
government; and, in return, it demands that he
shall bear his share of the general expenditure. The
contribution for the protection of his property mu►t,
manifestly, be in proportion to the real amount,
to the selling value, thereof. It can, however,
scarcely be argued—although liberty is equally
dear to the peasant as to the peer—that
the humble labourer, who earns a scanty and
precarious subsistence by the most arduous and un-
remitting toil, should pay as largely for protection as
the lordly inheritor of wide-spread domains, or the
possessor of funded millions. The true criterion,
therefore, for fiscal purposes, is that the value to a man
of his personal liberty is in proportion to his means of
enjoyment, to the amount of property which he pos-
sesses, and therefore in that respect,-also, a property-
tax would be the most equitable and fairest that could
be levied.

Our representatives cannot conceive that any dis-
tinction should be made on account of the sources
from whence income is derived, so far as taxa-
tion is concerned, but do they not make very
great distinctions in every other respect ?
Are the same privileges conceded to the industrious
lawyer, the skilful physician, the enterprising mer
chant, the upright manufacturer, as to the possessor
of accumulated and realised property ? No ; far
from it. Does he aspire to represent a constituency
by whom he may be respected, and looked up to, in
the Imperial Parliament ? A property qualification
is required. He must possess a fixed and certain in-
come of either 6001. or 3001. per annum before he
can be permitted to take his seat for either a county
or a borough. It is true he possesses a cultivated
mind and intellect, from the employment of which he
earns a large income, which the tax collector regards as
a full equivalent for a rent roll, or dividend upon
stock of equal amount, and he demands that with
such a qualification he may be permitted to watch
over the interests of those who have selected him.
But the Committee laugh his pretensions to scorn.
He is reported to want the necessary qualification—
the election is declared null and void, and the dis-
appointed constituency may choose some stupid and
uneducated dolt, provided he possesses the proper
amount in the rental of broad acres, or the dividend
of stock. Here it must be admitted there is some
difference—a difference which may, in some degree,
account for the otherwise inexplicable vote of last
night.
Perhaps his ambition may not soar so high. He
does not himself aspire to a place in the Legislature,
but he feels that he is at least entitled to a vote in
the selection of the Members for the district in which
he resides. He is aware of the constitutional prin-
ciple, that there should be no taxation without re-
presentation; the collector who has just departed from
his door, bearing away, perhaps, his last shilling, has
proved, beyond the possibility of doubt, that he is
considered a subject for taxation ; but the revising
barrister will tell him that such an income does not
entitle him to be entered on the register as an elector
—that he must possess some other qualification
before his claim can be admitted!!!

We might multiply similar instances ; but what
avails it ? Our chosen representatives have decided
against us, and it is only by the pressure from
without, by the instant and unceasing exertions of
the middle classes themselves, that the anomaly can be
remedied. We call upon the nation to be up and
doing. If the present opportunity shall elapse—if the
vote is passed in its present form, they may consider
themselves permanently saddled with the intolerable
and iniquitous impost.

Among the many affecting and romantic incidents
which have illustrated the progress of the recent
revolution in Paris, one of the most beautiful was
assuredly the demonstration of the love and reverence
entertained by the new-born Republic for the me-
mory of ARMAND CARREL / Amidst the tumults of
this glorious and memorable movement the genius
and the valour of ARMAND CARREL have not been
forgotten—his noble services in the cause of freedom
have been acknowledged by the spontaneous enthu-
siasm of his countrymen. Yes : after the lapse of
twelve years, since that melancholy day, in 1836,
when the young journalist was shot dead in a duel
with EMILE GIRARDIN—after the lapse of twelve
years since that lamentable catastrophe, the Pa-
risians have re-conquered their liberties, without
crime, or bloodshed, or spoliation, they have
re-conquered their liberties, and now, in the
very moment of their victory, they have
hurried to the little churchyard of St. Maur to pay
a solemn and touching tribute to the dust of their
champion. A 3 the gifted son of Lord STRANGFORD
has sung so eloquently—
" We weep not, we mourn not, Armand Carrel,
Though we knew, though we loved, though we
prized him well,
For he died in his youth, as the brave should die,
And his soul still burning with chivalry!"
It was with feelings of this character—with feelings
of mingled sorrow and admiration—that many of the
inhabitants of the French capital proceeded to the
tomb of citizen CARREL (the late editor of the
National), on Thursday, the 2d inst., for the
purpose of testifying their homage to patriotism
and misfortune. Among those who participated in
this half-mournful and half-exultant ceremony
was one of the most distinguished Members of the
Provisional Government, a namesake of the deceased
author, and his successor in the editorship of the
National; we mean, of course, ARMAND MARRAST.
But the individual who, of all others, attracted the
most observation in the heart of that vast concourse
of Republicans was EMILE GIRARDIN, the editor of
La Presse, the man who, but for his prolonged and
genuine lamentation for the demise of his illustrious
antagonist, might have been called with perfect accu-
racy the assassin of CARREL; for it was the pistol
bullet of EMILE GIRARDIN that in 1836 felled
ARMAND CARREL. Bearing this in recollection, it
is scarcely surprising that the spectators were
at first disposed to receive with disdain,
and some of them even with abhorrence,
the man who had alone occasioned their cala-
mity. Immediately, however, that the repentant
duelist had spoken over the ashes of his rival the
distrust of the multitude was changed to approbation.
The words spoken by citizen GIRARDIN were
these :

Citizens," said he, " coming here to take part
"
in this grave and mournful solemnity, none of you
will mistake the sentiment which induces me to be
present. I respond to a noble appeal that was ad-
dressed to me.

" Such an appeal could not but do me honour,
since it assuredly was not; to treat my heart as a
vulgar one. It was to tell me that no one doubted
either of the sincerity or• of the duration of the

mourning which, in another circurnitance, I had not
hesitated to render public.
"If the regret which I experience for the fatal and
premature loss of the eminent citizen who had given
to his republican belief the double eclat of a rare
talent and of a tried courage, if this regret could
have been increased, it would have just taken place.

" TO say that the citizen ARMAND CARREL is
wanting to these events, is to render to his memory
the homage most worthy of it.
" But I am wrong—there is an homage still more
worthy, and which we can render to it, namely, to
demand from the Provisional Government, which has
just covered itself with glory in abolishing the
punishment of death, to complete its work by also
proscribing duels."
We have transcribed the address uttered by the
editor of La Presse, not so much as a compliment to
a brother journalist under very unusual circum-
stances, as because we recognise in it the expiation of
a crime that is one of the most dismal in the annals
of a struggling people, and because, above all, the
peroration of that simple address was the declaration
of an august and holy principle. Citiz-n GIRARDIN
calls upon the ProvisiJnel Government—upon that
Governmert which has just covered itself with glory
in abolishing the punishment of death—citizen
GIRARDIN, we say, calls upon that Government to
complete its humane innovations by the proscription
of duelling. EMILE GIRARDIN does this—a man
notorious as a duellist. He, with his hands still
blackened by the explosion of gunpowder, with his
finger still seamed by the pressure of the trigger—in
the churchyard of St. Akur—over the grave of that
young and noble heart which twelve years before he
had stilled for ever—at the foot of the pedestal of
the majestic statue of ARMAND CARREL—Iie, the
veteran duellist of the Buis de Boulogne, demanded
of the newly-inaugurated Republic of France the
proscription of duelling. After an appeal so forcible
—so eloquent at once in place, in person, and in
occasion—wp cannot but think that that devilfish
system will be prohibited which might correctly be
designated a system of fashionable assassination.
Thanks to the odium which has been latterly
showered upon duellists, this evil habit has been
gradually abating in frequency. But as yet all that
is requisite in its regard has not been accomplished.
It is essential that the Legislature of some great coun-
try should formally brand the crime with its stigma,
and what Legislature could more appropriately pro-
nounce its decision upon this point, with more
honour to itself and more influence in its example,
than that which has just emerged, like the Apotheosis
of Liberty, from the storm of a tremendous but
unbloody revolution ? It will be w:211 that at such
ate epoch the proximate cause of a social advancement
of this memorable description should arise, as it
were, from the death dust of ARMAND CARREL—of
that young and unsullied Republican who has been well
named the Chevalier of the P,ople

In the sitting Y' the Chamber of Deputies of BA
gium on Thursday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs
stated that Belgium had received no commu-
nication from the Provisional Government of France,
but that the Prince DE LIG N E had forwarded a letter
addressed to M. DE LAMARTINE to him in common
with the other Ambassadors at Paris, and announcing
that he acted as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Ile
then read a letter (a copy of which has, no doubt,
been forwarded from Paris), and stated that the
Belgian Government had directed the Prince Dr
LIG NE to declare to M. DB LIMARTINII the satisfac-
tion with which Belgium had received intelligence
of the views that animated France towards those
Powers, which, in common with herself, desired the
independence of nations and the peace of the world
—sentiments which accorded so well with these of
Belgium. The military preparations, he said, were
simply measures of precaution, taken to strengthen
all the fortresses on the different frontiers ; and he
concluded by asserting that the sole end the Belgian
Government had in view was to maintain the
national independence, to preserve the territory and
political neutrality inviolate, and to keep intact those
liberal institutions which Belgium had so gloriously
obtained.

The KING is very popular, and the great majority
of the people are in favour of a monarchical form of
government.

Accounts from Malta of the 25:h ult. bring further
intelligence from Naples urd Sicily .
At Naples and Palertno all was quiet on the 20:h,
but hostilities commenced at Mossina on the 22 1, at
seven A.M.

Nothing could equal the heroic courage of the
people. They were well provided with all the ne-
cessary materiel of war. Their guns were heavy,
well-directed, and well manned ; and although the
Neapolitans fired well, the overwh-lming force of the
people rendered their exertions useless. Many of
the former were killed; of the litter the loss was
not so great. At eight o'clock Fort Reale fell by
assault. At ten the Arsenal was taken, and an hour
after Terra Nova. All the outworks of the other
forts, except that of San Salvadore, were taken.
The tricolour flag had been hoisted at Constance.

MEHEMET Am arrived at Multa on the I9ch. lle
had been suffering from dybentery, and bad been
recommended change of air by his medical advisers.

The King of PRUSSIA, on hearing of the events
which had occurred in Paris assembled his Ciuncil.
After several consultations it was determined to
energetically oppose every attempt at an aggression
from France, as also every attempt at disturbing the
peace of Europe.
Orders were issued the same day to four regiments
to advance by forced marches to the Rhonish fron-
tier, and two cavalry regiments were ordered from
Pomerania.

The greatest anxiety prevailed as to the future steps
of the French Republic.

Business was almost at a stand still.

The fall in every species of public security was
most heavy, and offers were rejected below quota-
tions. Bank Shares fell to 101 ; Cologne-Mindon
Railway Shares to 87, and these were only nominal
price. Staats. Sch. Sch. Three•and-a.llalf par
Cents., 98f.

FRANKFORT' FEB. 29.—To•day, AS yesterday, no
business was done.

VIENNA, FEB. 26.—Five per Cents., 971 ; Fuur
per Cents., 82; Bank Shares, 1,500.

The Council of State of Vault met at Lausanne
on the 27th ult., and adopted the following resolu-
tion :

" The Council of State having learned that subse-
quently to the important events which took place at
Paris, the people of the capital of France, not satisfied
with the abdication of King Load; Philippe 1., pro-
claimed the Republic and appointed a Provisional Go-
vernment; considering that that event must be attended
with the most beneficial results fur Switzerland, the
maintenance and development of her democratic institu-
tions; considering that the French people has always
sympathised with all nations, and particularly with the
Swiss people; and whereas the citizens of Vaud must be
anxious to make a public manifestation in favour Qf the
French people, in which the Council of State will most
heartily concur; decrees that a salute of 101 guns shall
be fired to-day at Lausanne. To that affect the In-
spector-General of the Militia will send to the arsenal
of Morges for two 12-pounders, with the ammunition
necessary, and call out the cannonoers of the section of
Lausanne, who will commence firing at five o'clock P . ."
This decision was officially communicated to the
French Provisional Government.

The Madrid journals of the 26th ult. bring no
news.

The Three per Cents. were done at 281, at 50
dap; the Four per Cents. at IGI fur cash; and the
Five per Cents. at 17k.

TO FRANCE.
France! thou dolt give
Fresh hopes! the nations live
I❑ thy great &eds. O'er the glad, sounding sea
England, uprising, clasps her handy to Oise.
The world is young again in her great joy;
Build up the brotherhood, no more destroy ;
Time brings a new evangel; we await
Our promised eEtrance to a fairer state,
Where men shall be
heroes supremely tree!
HENRY LESTAR HAIZaISON.

ARRIVAL AT COSSIER OF LORD IIAItDING
The Overland Mail, just arrived, announces the arrival
at Cossier, on the 14:h of February, of the Right lion.
Viscount Hardinge, accompanied by the Honourable C.
H. and A. Harding e, Lieutenant-Colonel Hare, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Wood, and Lieutenant Astel, in the: Moc-
zuffer, which loft Calcutta on the 18th of January. His
Lordship expected to reach Alexandria (where the Sidon
steam-frig:lto awaits him) on the 28th of February.