The Sun.
London, England, 1826-02-07 00:00:00

brightest produce of it own acquirements, then
neither the late Members nor either of the pre-
sent candidates is fit for a moment to aspire to
such a distinction. We know that we speak the
sentiments of a great body of the first men both
in and out of the University, when we repeat, that
Mr. Canning is the only person on whom, by
common consent, this honour should devolve. We
would ask then if these sentiments are, as we know
them to be,' so generally entertained, why they
"have not found utterance kti an authentic form, and
in a tone which would call forth the illustrious
object of them ? That Mr. Canning courts this
distinction we have his own authority for know-
ing ; but that he has, upon the present occasion,
taken no one step to obtain it, is equally cer-
tain. Had he done so, or were still to de-
clare himself, we should trust, -for the honour of
Oxford, that. his success would ,;be undoubted ;
and we regret, therefore, that he has not been
called upon to assume the mantle which, of
right, belongs to him. In addition to the futile
reasons we have before assigned for his not
being so called upon, we have since heard it
said that some of the heads of houses, and of the
flamiri High Church People at Oxford, are not
a little incensed against him. The way in which
he treated their consubstantiation, in the last de-
bate on the Catholic Question, was sinning past
forgives, sin the eyes of those who think that:
religious truth, as well as practice, centers in
unintelligible dogmas, and in dark, obscure, and
mysterious nothings, which every rational man is
persuaded that it would be better were we to
see exploded from every Church and every Creed.
And will the University of Oxford suffer its fame
and judgment to be tarnished by such solemn
trifling as this ; or will they suffer an everlasting
stigma to be affixed to their names by suffering
this opportunity of honouring themselves to pass
by ? Certainly, whether they elect Mr. Noodle
or Mr. Doodle, if they pass by Mr. Canning,
matters very little. At any rate we should like
to' see the feeling which we know exists upon
the subject preclaimed to the world by those
among the electors who entertain it; that if the
opportunity is lost of their distinguishing them-
selves, as well as the accomplished Statesman
and scholar we allude to, posterity may at least
had upon record something like a protest, which
will rescue Some of those in whom the elective
franchise exists from the contempt which a tacit
acquiescence in such vandalism could not fail to
entail upon them, among enlightened men of all
countries and persuasions.

cw It Es.]
The Treaties with France, the Republic of
Colombia, and the llauseatic Republics, were
yesterday laid before Parliament. The one
great leading feature of all these treaties is Com-
mercial Reciprocity. If all nations and all men
could trade on terms of reciprth:al fairness and
equality, it is most obvious that the general
result would be their common benefit. Various
causes prevent- this Floppy consequence in most
instances: and the superior talent of a Statesman
is never more clearly evinced than in overcoming
such obstacles. This is one of the chief points
which characterise the present administration of
our foreign policy: and it is remarkable
how skilfully the same general principle has
been applied by our Goveremeet to cases
widely different in their circumstances. The
first document to which we shall advert is the
" Convention of Commerce between his Majesty
and the King of France." Its object is to sim-
plify and equalize the regulations which are now
in force relative to the navigation of both king-
dorms by the reciprocal abrogation of all discri-
minating duties levied upon the vessels of either
of the two nations in the ports of the other, whe-
ther under the head of duties of tonnage, har-
bour, light-house, pilotage, &C., or in the shape
of increased duties upon goods, on account
of their being imported or exported in other
than national vessels. "Mth this view, the Ist
article stipulates that from the sth of next
April, French vessels from France, with car-
goes, or from any port, if in ballast, shall
not be subject to higher duties than British
ships, and the same is to be observed vice versa.
he next article provides that goods which can
be legally imported in French ships, shall be
subjected ectedto no higher duties if so imported,than
if in British ships, arid rice versa. The roduce
of Asia, Africa, and America, form on bopth sides
exceptions to the general principle, unless for
warehousing and're-exportation. European corn-
modities ere not to be imported in British ships
into France unless laden in British ports,
and vice versa ; but both parties may re-
principles of exportation : the 4th
lax this article. The 3d article applies
the same
provides that no other nations shall re-
ceive more favourable terms. The sth applies
to fishing-boats ; the Pith extends the Convention
to all the possessions of each Crown in Europe ;
the 7th fixes the continuance of the Treaty at
ten years, and the last article merely fixes the
truce of ratification. The Convention with the
Rause Towns is very nearly similar in purport
to the preceding. The Treaty with Colombia
is one of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation.
It is more comprehensive in its scope and
tendency than the two former, but proceeds
like them on the great principle of reciprocity,
One article (the 13th) we cannot but. notice with
especial praise. It stipulates for the co-opera.
tion of Colombia with Great Britain iii a total
abolition of the Slave Trade ; thus vigilant is the
British Government to seize every opportunity o/
promoting the great cause of humanity.