The Sun.
London, England, 1850-12-16 00:00:00

MONDAY

afford to disregard the opinions and feelings of their
constituents.

Now, again, a golden opportunity will arise. The
infamous, oppressive, and inquisitorial impost to
which we have alluded will cease to exist in 1851.
Parliament has attained its middle age, and the
wishes of the people must now be respected. If there
be a combined and energetic movement, it must be
successful, but sloth and apathy, if exhibited, will meet
their just reward, in the perpetuation of the iniqui-
tous system. It is for the people to choose for them-
selves, and they may rest assured that they will
have deep cause to rejoice at or deplore their
conduct before many months have expired. We
at least have the consolation of knowing that we have
not shrunk from our duty, but that we have placed
the topic in its naked enormity before our friends and
the public. ‘Ve shall not relinquish our exertions;
and we trust that we may at length elicit a fitting
response from the oppressed and ill-treated people.
We cannot conclude without calling attention to
an excellent communication from " Au Old Annui-
tant," which will be found in another part of our im-
pression, and which will well repay perusal. Our
correspondent only touches on one part of the evil ,
hut he does so clearly and well, rather understating
his case than otherwise. There is certainly no ex-
aggeration, no straining after effect, but a plain e,id
simple narration of unquestionable facts.
Wo rejoice to say, too, that others are bestir-
ring themselves. A tried and consistent reformer has
announced his intention of delivering an address at
the Theatre, Lincoln, on Friday evening, the 20th
instant, on the subject of " Taxation as it is, and as it
ought to be." This is as it should be ; if every town
and district possessed a JOHN NORTON to arouse
the dormant energies of the inhabitants, and to en-
lighten them on subjects of pressing interest, we
should not despair of speedily obtaining a full measure
of justice for the oppressed and impoverished people.
Most heartily and sincerely do we wish all success to
" honest Jourr NORTON" in his laudable effort. Let
others who have the ability " go and do like wise."

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC

We have received the Paris journals of Saturday.
The Constitutionnel publishes a long article, ex-
tending over nearly a page, the object of which is to
show that the Republic, with the renewed Presi-
dency of Lours NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, is at the
present moment the only possible Government for
France. It is addressed principally to the Legitimatists
and Orleanists, advising them to cooperate in the
establishment of a reasonable and acceptable Repub-
lic, which should have the effect of inculcating
a love of order in the public mind, and that respect
for good institutions, without which neither branch of
the Bourbous, if it were to recover power, could long
retain it. The writer does not believe that either the
Count DE CHAMBORD or the Count DE PARIS has
much chance of a throne at present; but he does not
wish to fill them utterly with discouragement. What
he desires is, that, for their own sake and for the
good of France, both branches should conform to
circumstances, and think of society before they occupy
themselves with questions of personal ambition.
The Assembly, on Friday, rejected the first clause
of the Usury Bill by a majority of 336 to 293. The
clause w as as follows :

" Any stipulation, which, in a loan at interest, has
for its object to exceed the amount fixed by law, con-
stitutes the offence (Mit) of usury, no ma:ter what
may be th,4 combinalons employed tor the sake of dis-
guising ii." _ _

M. DE ST. PRIEST announced that, notwithstanding
the main feature of the 13111 was destroyed, he should
still proceed with the other clauses.

The Committee on the Western Railway Bill are
nearly unanimous in support of the Government pro-
posal to give the line on a 99 years' let se, with alt the
works now made. The guarantee of 4 per cent. to
the company alone excites some doubt. The follow-
ing are the names of the committee :—MM. Saint
Beure de Beaumont, Comba►rel de Leyval, Lacrosse,
Berryer, Yanin de Mouchy, Dupre, Chazelles de Tal-
houet, Daru, Gustave de Beaumont, Freney, Gouin,
and Cursal.

M. MARTIN D'Aucn, the only surviving Member
of the first Constituent Assembly, and the only one
who, at the oath of the Jstu de Paume, refused to
sign the declaration of the tiers-parti, has just died at
Castelnaudary. In DAVID'S well-known picture, M.
MARTIN D'Aucu is represented with his arms folded
on his breast, and refusing to join his colleagues.
The Vote Universel was seized yesterday for the
publication of an article entitled " La Loi de l'Usure,"
anal of a feuilleton called " Les Coutrats Sociaux, au
XIX. Siecle. Les Petits Enfans." The responsible
editor is to be prosecuted under the double charge of
attacks on property and of exciting hatred between
the different classes of citizens.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREAGN RAILWAYS AT TLIE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, DEC. 14.
Anglo-Italian (late Italian and Austrian), 2%—Boulogne
and Amiens, 84—Central of France (Orleans and
erzon), 16i,—East Indian, 12 —Great Indian Peninsula, 2
Luxembourg, 1— Ditto, 24—Namur and Liege, —North-
ern of France, 15—Orleans and Bourdeaux, 2% Paris and
Strasbourg, i,9l4—Rouen and Havre, 10A—Sambre and
Meuse, 3.