The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LON DON, SATURDAY F, v,E% G, MARCH 7, ii4b7

at this moment, to stand in the way of our fitting
out an adequate and properly organised Expe-
dition. The Empire, by whose representative
and citizanr, at the other extremity of the globe,
our flag has been wantonly insulted, our property
has been flagitiously destroyed, our fellow-citizens
have been cruelly murdered, is one having a popula-
tion of no less than 300,000,000 in the aggre-
gate. Against such an Empire as the Chinese
Empire such an Empire as the British Em-
pire cannot possibly wage a Little War—a
Litt!e War against which, in the abstract,
this nation was solemnly and most memorably
warned not many years ago by the Duke
of WELLINGTON. If we are to act at all
against the Chinese, we must act against them
thoroughly. This time there must be no mis-
take whatever. The struggle, when it is closed,
must be closed by a Treaty more stringent and
more explicit than that of Nankin, and that new
Treaty must be fulfi led to the very letter.
As early as upon Wednesday last we took occa-
sion to remark, in the matter of this Chinese Diffi-
culty, that the sudden close at this moment of the
Persian War by means of the Paris negotiations,
ought to be regarded as in a very peculiar man-
ner opportune. We suggested there and then,
that we should at once avail ourselves of so very
tempting an opportunity. Nal:11,1y, by concen-
trating upon the coast of China the naval and mili-
tary forces recently despatched to the Persian Gulf
from Bombay. We are rejoiced to observe that
this suggestion has been already adopted in its
impression of to-day by the chief of our morning
contemporaries. We said in The Sun of Wednesday
last, the 4th inst., speaking of the close of the Persian
War—" Nothing could surely be more happily
well-timed ! Here is our opportunity. Let the
squadron under Admiral Sir M. SEYMOUR bo at
once enhanced by the combination with it of
the military and maritime forces recently de-
spatched against Bushire under the joint command
of Admiral LEEKE and General OUTRAM." The
Times of this morning, the 7th instant, enforces
this suggestion almost in the same identical words,
where it observes—" The conclusion of the war
with Persia is the most opportune occurrence of
the hour. By the peace signed three days since
two fine bodies of troops, that which garrisons
Bushire and that which has probably by this time
sailed from Bombay to join the former, will soon
be free for service in China." Be it so. The
emergency in the Chinese Seas is one requiring
promptitude, and this promptitude we have every
reliance upon witnessing under the auspices of the
PALMERSTON Administration.

A Pacificator, at the same time, is to be sent
out to the seat of war in the person of a duly
authorised and a judiciously-selected Plenipoten-
tiary. Not, as some individuals had erroneously
imagined, for the purpose of superseding Sir JOHN
BOWRING, but for the very purpose of co-operating
with Sir JOHN BOWRING, of availing himself of
Sir JOHN BOWRING'S sagacity, patriotism, and
experience. Warlike measures all the while
potently enforcing the arguments of our negotia-
tors. It is thus, and thus only, that a great
Asiatic race like the Chinese, a race full of dupli-
city, of cruelty, and of cunning, can be effectually
dealt with. History, Reason, Humanity alike de-
inoustrate that the most merciful war is, after all,
thtt war that is conducted, at the outset, the most
promptly, the most boldly, and the most energe-
tically. A course all the more incumbent upon
England, with her late experience, and possessing
a perfect knowledge, as she does, of the sinister
ambition ever lurking at the heart of the great
Northern Autocracy.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has succeeded
for the time being in his crusade against the
tea-caddy, the tea-cup, and the pie-dish. He has
obstinately persevered in the retrograde policy
against which he was solemnly and emphatically
warned, and obtained a majority of 62, for " the
introduction of the sharp end of the wedge !"
The moribund Parliament, the very days whereof
are numbered, has reversed the system in opera-
tion for the last 16 years, and set the ex ample
in futuro of replenishing the Exchequer by in-
direct taxation on articles which have become
almost necessaries of life. It may be that the
addition of 2d. per lb. on tea, which he now
estimates to produce half a million sterling,
(although in his Financial Statement he cal-
culate,' the loss by the surrender of 2d.
to be but 369,0001.) is of comparatively
trivial importance, more especially as the
reduction which actually takes place will admit of
an alteration in the cost price from which the
consumers will derive practical benefit. But it is
01 j.etionable on principle, inasmuch as it is
founded on a direct breach of faith with the im-
p:lt-Ts and dealers in te3, and also because it IL-
troduces an element of uncertainty that must
operate very prejudicially to the general interest.
No man can now form a sound opinion as to what
will take place next year, or what may be the
future rate of duty. It is obvious that Sir G. C.
LEWIS intends ta continue the rate of ls. sd. per
lb. up to 1860, if not for a much longer period.
It is the mean proportional between the various
sums of Is. ls. 5d., and ls. 3d. which he
originally proposed. Indeed a larger sum will
be thereby levied, inasmuch as he will gain
the duty on the additional consumption, which
may reasonably be anticipated under the reduced
tariff. Taking this latest estimate that each penny
of duty will realist a quarter of a million sterling,
he asks from tea no less than three millions ster-
ling during the next three years ; that is to say,
in the year ending April,
1858 2d. per lb., or £500,000
1859 sd. per lb., or 1,250,000
1860 sd. per lb., or 1,250,000

It is unnecessary to say that this is on the as-
gumption that he will—if re-elected—ask the new
Parliament to continue the same duty until 1860.

It was a daring experiment to ask the expiring
Parliament to take such a step ; and still stranger
that the demand should be conceded. It will,
however, be competent for the popular represen-
tatives to reverse this decision ; and we sincerely
hope that it will be one of its first acts to do so. It
cannot for a moment be considered as a
settlement for a single year, or anything more
than a provisional arrangement, which may be
altered at any moment.. Indeed Sir G. C. LEwis
based his demand on that very. ground. The
matter will form, then, one of the string of in-
terrogatories that must be exhibited to every
candidate, and to which explicit and unequivocal
answers must be returned. The fiscal reformers
must take care that the real importance of the
question
is thoroughly understood, and that
Honourable Gentlemen who aspire to seats in
Parliament may clearly know what is expected
at their hands. It is very unfortunate that the
problem t) be solved by the different constitu-
encies should be thus complicated. But still it
will be practicable to find eligible candidates pre-
pared to
support the foreign policy of Lord
PALMERSTON, and yet to oppose the fiscal hobbies
of his Chancellor of the Exchequer, although
the recently resuscitated Anrnua YOUNG may
thereby be again consigned to his original obscurity.
The people require cheap [tea and cheap sugar,

and that they will insist on from any administra-
tion that may be placed in office.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL, as usual, exhibited the
degree of vacillation for which he has become so
painfully notorious. He gave notice of proposing
the one-and-fourpenny compromise, but withdrew
his amendment at the last moment, having voted
against that of Mr. GLADSTONE. The alleged
reason was that there was but Id. between that
which the Chancellor of the Exchequer asked and
what he (Lord JOHN) proposed to give. But
there was only the same difference with Mr.
GLADSTONE, who offered is. 3d., and if this pro-
position had been accepted, it could not have
been referred to as a precedent, or regarded as
the recognition by the expiring Parliament of a
new financial policy, which may be carried to far
greater lengths than at present contemplated or
deemed possible. It is difficult to understand the
motives by which the Noble Lord was actuated.
We fancy, however, that there is still a vague
expectation that by not identifying himself with
either party he may once more be placed in the
coveted position of First Lord of the Treasury.
The small statesman may, however, rest assured
that such a consummation, however devoutly
wished for by himself and the insignificant clique
that stall recognise him as leader, is simply and
literally impossible.
The Sugar Duties shared the same fate as those
on Tea. Mr. GLADSTONE, after the majority of
62, declined again to divide the House, and Sir
G. C. LEWIS carried his original proposition. The
question will, however, be submitted to the new
Parliament, and we trust that the several con-
stituencies will take care that such decision shall
be in accordance with the wish'es and intere4ts of
'the community.

LATEST NE WS.

native than to bend its head and withdraw before this
condemnation."

The following is from the Debats :

"It is impossible to disiniWa'e en the serious nattlr,
of the check experienced ty the Cabinet of Lord Palmer-
ston. After such a check everybody will understand,
and Lori Palmerston will certainly himself understand,
that he cannot appear again bef( I'o the present 110u5.3 of
Parliament. The only question that can arise is to
know whether ho will abandon his position to the chiefs
of the•coalition, who have dealt him this terrible blow,
or whether he will decide on dissolving the house, and
will appeal to the country."
_

BOTIRSE, March 6.—The following were the last
quotations

Cash. fr. c. End of Month.
4i per Cents -

3..-p-er Cents 7O 20

New Loan

70 65

Bank Shares 4,200 Roman
Credit Mobilier 1 392 50 Austrian
Belgian Five 5......... 99i Spanish Threes
Pied montese (5) 9l 25 Home Debt