The Sun.
London, England, 1850-02-14 00:00:00

elteniag .-4)ITIL

LONDON, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1830.

llsewhere, in our impression of this evening,
will be found extracted an article from the TIMM
against, and another from the Dail, News in
favour of, the abolition of the system of taxation
upon knowledge. Yesterday, we ourselves,
in commenting on the postponed motion of
Mr. MILNER Gipson, and on the admirable pamphlet
of Mr. CHARLES KNIGHT, adverted to the subject
upon which public discussion is now being revived.
Yet, without those recent expressions of our opinion,
it would have been by no means difficult for.the readers
of The Sun to conjecture the nature of the principles
advocated by us in reference to a matter of such
paramount importance—even had not our sen-
timents in this regard been already for a
very long time upon record. Our views, in-
deed, respecting the pernicious influence exercised
over the intellect and the morality of the community
by the imposts upon paper and the unequal tax upon
advertisements, are sufficiently well known to render
apparent at a glance the direction of our coincidence
between the conflicting arguments of our two morn-
ing contemporaries. On turning to those arguments,
it will be seen that the Times, before adventuring
upon the delicate and brittle ground of the discus-
sion, premises that, at any rate, it is absolutely in-
cumbent upon us to wait until the national debt be
paid off before we attempt to remit this, among
other descriptions of taxation. Such a postpone-
ment, it must surely be manifest, would
prove somewhat about equivalent to the Greek
Kalends. Or, at the very least, a procrastination so
understood would be nothing less than tantamount to
the indefinite period comprehended in the phrase
aine die ; for certainly the day of such reform would,
in truth, be altogether delayed sine die, unless indeed
the day meant in the reservation is doomsday. We
are told, moreover, simultaneously with this assurance,
by the Times, that our national debt is the result of
our " redundant heroism," the attestation of our
glory the token of those honourable scars and
gashes which the last two generations received in the
hour of their victories. For these reasons it is as-
serted that the interest, if not the principal of that
debt, must continue to be paid with all possible
punctuality. That interest we are reminded can
only be obtained from the nation through the medium
of taxation : and hence for the national credit, if not
in consideration of our past heroism, glory, and
victories, that taxation must be maintained, those
creditors upon the State must be paid even to the
uttermost farthing—what though it be at the expense
of the national intellect, and of the national morality,
though the required " pound of flesh" be in dangerous
vicinage to the
_popular heart, though the men of
England be reduced to the necessity of " dropping
their blood for drachmas Now, with all submis-
sion, we conceive it compatible with the
closest adherence to truth to give a very
different version indeed of the nature and
origin of this same incubus 'yclept the National
Debt. That Debt, we are bold to aver, was a debt i
incurred to save the property of the aristocracy, the
poor being ever since then ground down for the pe-
riodical payment of its interest. That is the root of
it. that is the poisonous seed out of which this de-
structive and desolating Upas of England has grown
up to such colossal magnitude. To preserve the
wealth of Indolence a debt was created, which has
ever since then drained away the best part cf the
wages of Industry. And, talk as they may about the
advantage of ultimately paying off this enormous
Debt, the annuitants upon the Public Funds are the'
very last who would really wish to witness its liquida-
tion—and why ? because they are the very last per-
sons who could at all hope to obtain employment.
Turning, therefore, at once from this visionary
postponement of the projected reform, to an indefinite,
we had almost said an impossible, period ; and look-
ing directly into the nature of the arguments brought
forward by our contemporaries in this disputation,
grizt are forcibly struck with the anomaly of the

course pursued in this matter by the Times, an
anomaly apparent throughout its arguments. To
us, in brief, it is a matter of astonishment
how it, of all the journals in England—how the
Time. the able advocate of Free-trade as a system,
can a hitliso
ate
principles of unrestricted commerce as
applied to rn, and yet withhold the application of
those same principles from money and from know-
ledge I Towards the close of its observations, our
contemporary denies altogether that it is actuated in
this matter by any selfish motive whatsoever. For
our own parts, however, we are ready to
acknowledge that it needed not the assurances of
the Times itself to convince us that the proposed
abolition could not in any way damage its
interests. Without the declaration of our contempo-
rary to that effect, we are certain that that abolition
of the taxes on knowledge can in no way hurt the
power, or the circulation, or the profitableness of the
Times. Nothing, in fact, can injure the Times but
its own misconduct. Why, then, is our contemporary
so violently averse to the desired innovation ? Why ?
Not because it can itself be harmed by the change,
but simply and solely, as far as we can at all com-
prehend the matter, because so many ethers would
thereby become benefited. .A. great deal of ostenta-
tion is betrayed by our contemporary in the enume-
ration of its annual contributions to the Exchequer,
so many thousands for paper (which it should be
remembered is paid for at the mills), so many thou-
sands for stamps, so many thousands for adver-
tisements, total, so much, 95,0001. sterling. It should
not have forgotten, however, that in the contribution
of these moneys to the gross receipts by way of
taxation, it is acting simply in the ebaracter of a
political exciseman, paying into the Exchequer not his
own moneys, but the moneys collected from the public
generally.

Notwithstanding the antagonism of the Times, and
of th• rest of the opponents of the projected improve-
ment, we are, nevertheless, sanguine that the change
we have so long aspired to witness—the change advo-
cated with much ability by the Daily News, the
change Mr. CHARLES KNIGHT is now striving to
force upon the attention of the Cabinet—may be
effected with the cordial consent of Parliament. To
this end we look with interest for Mr. EWART'S motion
respecting the duties upon advertisements, a motion
fixed for this evening in the Commons, and ulti-
mately for that other (postponed) motion which we
have previously adverted to, as promised by the Right
Hon. Gentleman the Representative of Manchester.

We shall to-night have the first opportunity which
has been afforded us during the present session of
testing the sincerity of the Members who, at the
hustings or on the platform, have at any times pro-
fessed themselves the advocates of a reform in the
representation of the people. Sir Da Lacy EVANS
has given notice of his intention to move as a reso-
lution, this evening, in the House of Commons, that
payment of a direct tax, governmental or parochial,
shall qualify to vote for Members of Parliament. Al-
though we are inclined ourselves to go much further
as regards the extension of the franchise, yet we are
willing to accept this resolution as an instalment; and
we consider that Sir Di LACY EVANS has exercised
a judicious discretion in wording his resolution in
the manner in which he has worded it. An extension
of the suffrage of a more cautious character it would
be impossible to propose ; it would still confine the
possession of the suffrage to persons possessed of
property—to those who, according to the aristocrati-
cal cant of the opponents of all reform, " have
a stake in the couatry " and its only
effect would be to make the famous constitutional
maxim—" Taxation and representation should always
go together '—somewhat leis of a mockery than it is
at present. A more moderate modicum of reform, as
regards extension of the suffrage, it would be
impossible to propose. It is not so much a doing of
justice that Sir Di LACY EVANS proposes to effect
as a cessation of what, even according to the theory
of the Anti-Reformers themselves, is a gross injustice,
viz., " Taxation without-representation." Those who
vote against this motion of iir DE LACY' EVANS)
however they may verbally repudiate the doctrine of
" finality," are indeed, and in truth, disciples of that
doctrine, for if the Reform measure of 1832 is not
to be regarded as final, if any attempt at
improving that most defective measure is
even to be tolerated, surely such a very moderate pro-
posal as that of Sir Di LACY IiYANS cannot be re-
fused ; it is to be regarded as, in fact, rather
a perfecting of the measure of 1832—rather as a
carrying out of the principle upon which that
measure was based, than as an innovation.
The division lists of to-night will furnish, therefore,
a test by which to judge of the sincerity of the pro-
fessions of those who declare themselves to be friends
of " moderate and progressive reform." If any such
vote against the motion, if any such stay away
without pairing, let their constituencies mark
such men, and treat them henceforth as the opponents
of all reform, for if this proposition goes too
far, then the alteration they desiderate is
of so very moderate a character as to be tan-
tamount to no reform at all, whilst even a
tortoise would, according to their ideas, progress too
rapidly. We trust we shall not have on this occa-
sion, as we have had on some others, the pain of ob-
serving some soi-disant ultra-Reformers speak
and vote against the measure, or, what is
more damning still, reprobating it in speech although
voting for it, on the ground that it does not go far
enough, and tally with their peculiar crotchets. An
open enemy is infinitely preferable to one who, while
affecting friendship, will yet

" Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer,

And though not sneering, teach tho rest to sneer."

Such a course of policy is suicidal if sincere, and
we therefore hope that every Reformer of every shade
and variety of opinion will be in his place in the
House this evening and will give his hearty, earnest,
and sincere support to the motion of Sir DE LACY
EVANS. Again we call upon the constituents to
watch the division lists, and to mark the backsliders.

We believe it is no longer a secret that it is her
Majesty's gracious intention to create Mr. Jones
Loyd a Peer, by the title of Baron Overstone.—
Times. [What has Mr. Loyd done for this
honour ? Made some millions for his own benefit?
This is no secret.—En. Sun.]

THE CIIANCHLLOR OF THE EXCIIMCEN.—We are
happy to announce that Sir Charles Wood was con-
sidered rather better yesterday by Dr. Bright and
Mr. Sampson, who are attending on the Right Hon.
Baronet. It is now said that the illness of Sir
Charles has arisen from suppressed gout. The Right
Hon. Baronet suffers from great weakness, and at
present it is not thought he will be able to resume
his public duties before the end of next week. Sir
Robert Peel and a great number of Members of the
House of Commons, as well as the whole of the Ca-
binet Ministers, called to inquire after Sir Charles's
health, at his official residence in Downing-street,
yesterday, and on the previous day the calls were
exceedingly numerous. Last evening the answer
given was that " Sir Charles Wood is better," and we
further learn that he is gradually mending, although
very slowly.
DISPATCHES TO ATHENS.—A special messenger was
sent off last night from the Foreign-office, to Athens,
with dispatches to Sir T. Wyse and Sir W.
Parker, with reference to the misunderstanding with
Greece.

that the government have IPIEDITION.—We understand
TRH NORTII-WBST li
pedtion of Captain
etasielected for service in the
l sorrectwicsetex i
am
-vessels Free Trade and Eider," the two
belong.n Austin, Cl 3
ing to a London company,
andof excellent
Green, of Blackwell. They good, oo
built by Mr. R.
d,
strong,audaiay.
whole-
some vessels, with good stowage,
machinery, each of 60-horse power, by m
The Free Trade is daily expected from the Medi-
terranean.
ELIZA Coos's loncßAL.—Eliza Cook is always
fresh and clever in her writings, and her skill and
judgment are perceptible in all she manages. This is
an excellent monthly part. Of the editor's poetry we
have a beautiful specimen in some lines headed, There's
a silver lining to every cloud." Should any one out of
spirits wish to indulge in a good laugh, let the melan-
choly individual read "Dlr=. Peck's Pudding, a
Christmas Romance," and dulness will avaunt. May
this little journal meet with every success, say we.—
Chronicle.

We understand Mr. Balfe has just returned from
Berlin, where he went to produce his opera the Bond-
man, which was received with the most enthusiastic
applause by a public noted fur its coldness. All the
critics are unanimous in their praises of Mr. Belle's
music, which they say is at once dramatic, original, and
beautiful. The King of Prussia has presented Mr.
Balfe with a splendid diamond ring.
Tun EXTREME or PROTECTION.—There is a great
fitness of things in Lord John Manners' standing for
Colchester; for his Lordship is so thorough a Protece
tionist, that no doubt he is prepared to rote for proteo%
tion to native oysters.—Punch.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
The illoniteur publishes a decree of the PRESIDENT
of the Republic, appointing General CASTELLANE
Commander-in-Chief of the 12th, 14th, and 15th
military divisions, of which Bordeaux, Nantes, and
Rennes are the chief towns. General ROSTOLA.N is
appointed to the command of the Bth, 9th, and 10th
divisions, of which Montpellier, Perpignan, and Tou-
louse are the chief towns. General GEMEAU, Com-
mander-in-Chief of the 6th military division, is to have,
moreover the command of the sth military division, of
which the chief town is Besanqon.
This, according to the National, is the first step
towards carrying out the plan of dividing the whole
of France into five military districts, the com-
mander of each of which will have the power of at
an 7 time declaring his district ina state of siege.
The discussion on the liducation Bill was continued
on Tuesday, and so elated was M. DE MONTALEMBERT
by the success of his efforts to reduce the whole of
France to obedience to priestly despotism that he
was incapable of longer maintaining the Jesuitical
disguise of liberty of instruction, which he has
hitherto put forward as his reason for supporting the
measure, and declared that he supported it because it
would place the superintendence of education i❑ each
department under the control of the bishops,who would
substitute the study of the dead languages for that of
the sciences, and in the teaching of the dead languages
would substitute as books to be studied the works of
St. AUGUSTINE and St. BERNARD for tho3e Of CICERO.
This barbarism was received with shouts of derisive
laughter even by the supporters of the Bill. It was
in vain that the Minister for Public Instruction at-
tempted to defend the Bill upon other grounds.
The admissions of M. DE MONTALEMBERT were
too damaging not to be at once laid hold of by
the adversaries of the " clerical party," and M.
BARTHELEMY ST. HILAIRE, in a speech as remark-
able for its logical argument as for its impressive
eloquence, refuted most triumphantly the calumnies
of M. DE MONTALEMBERT against the University,
and inflicted on the apostle of clerical mis-instruction
a well-merited castigation, exciting great amusement,
by admitting, with M. DE MONTALEMBERT, that of
late years literary taste had degenerated in France,
but attributing it to the fact of the prevalence of Neo-
Catholicism, to which M. DE MONTALEMEERT had
brought the aid of, perhaps, not the purest taste in the
world. The speech of M. BARTHILEACY ST. HILAIRB
produced such an effect that M. THIEBS, rushing to
the tribune, besought the President not to put the
question, but to adjourn the debate till the next day,
which was done accordingly.
It is rumoured that the Prince DE JOINVILLE has
recently visited Paris, and that it is the intention
of the Orleanists to start him as a candidate at the
approaching elections for Paris. This rumour has
excited the ire of :the Legitimatists, and, to judge
from the expressions used by their organ, the Gazette
de France, it would appear that the differences be-
tween the Legitimatists and the Orleanists have
become more embittered than ever. The Orleanists
are denounced by this parti-pretre journal as
" Royalists without a king, Catholics without faith,
and lawyers without law." This is but a poor return
for the vast amount of " dirt-eating" performed by
M. THIRRS and his clique during the last eighteen
months, in the vain hope of conciliating the clerical
party, who are at present to the full as much the
party of disorder as the Reds ever were.
The Republican leaders have determined to start
as candidates at the approaching elections the nearest
relations of the expelled Members whenever they
choose to stand. The candidates of Paris are (sub-
' ject to ulterior arrangements with the electors of the
departments) GOUDCLIAUX, MADIER DE MONTJAU,
and ESQUIROZ. Should the latter prefer starting:for
Lyons, MALARMET will be started for Paris in
his place.
There has been a strike of workmen at Tours, but
the public tranquillity has not been disturbed in con-
sequence.
Letters from Toulon of the 9th mention that the
staff, the colours, and the band of the 3d Regiment of
the Marine Infantry, a company of the same corps,
and a company of the Marine Artillery, embarked on
the 7th on board the screw-frigate Pomone and the
steamer Prony. The bad weather prevented them
from leaving the port, but it was hoped that in the
course of the day (the 9th) they would be able to
quit the port. The rest of the force was to be em-
barked on board the Zenobie on the 11th. These
vessels are destined for La Plata.

Toulon was visited by a dreadful hurricane on
the Bth.

Accounts from Rouen mention that the Seine had
risen to an alarming height, and fears were enter-
tained of its rising still higher. A good deal of
damage has been already done in the town. From
Bordeaux the intelligence is nearly to the same effect,
the Garonne having inundated the quays.
Preparations are making in Paris for a grand illu-
mination on the 24th February, the anniversary of
the proclamatiou of the Republic.
PARIS BOURSE, iEB. 13. Closing Prices :
Rentes, Jive per Cents., 95f. 80c.; ditto, Three per
Cents. 57f. 80c. ; Bank of France, 2,350 f.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK-KXCHANGE, F. 13.

Boulogne and Amiens, 714—Dutch Rhenish, I--Paris and
Orleans, 31N.

SPAIN.

Madrid journals of the 7th have arrived.
_ _ _ _

The Naeion of Madrid having mentioned that a
rumour was current that, in consequence of her
MAJESTY'S interesting situation, a Regency would
be established, the Herald* of the following day says
that the rumour is unfounded, and that the Constitu-
tion never contemplated the appointment of a Regency
in such a case. The QUEEN had entirely recovered
from a slight indisposition which she had had. The
Senate, on the Bth, proceeded with the discussion of
the Bill for authorising the Ministry to levy the
taxes. M. FORBIN•JANSON had arrived in Madrid to
discharge, ad interim, the duties of Secretary to the
French Embassy. Placards denouncing the Govern-
ment continued to be published, but no attention was
paid to them by the public.
MADRID BOLSA, FEB. B.—The Three per Cents.
were done at 29f for paper ; the Four per Cents, at
12i ; the Five per Cents.,
.at 121 ; the Debt with-
out Interest at 3 15.16 ; and the Coupons at 7A.

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