The Sun.
London, England, 1844-04-09 00:00:00

are we to change our principles because a Tory Govern-
ment is in power ? Are we to veer about like weather-
cocks with the Ministerial gale, and call that right
under the guidance of Peel which we protested against
under Melbourne ?' All this is very tine in the way of
clap-trap eloquence, and will go down with many as
irresistible argumentation. But let declamation sleep
for a moment, while reason speaks. Of course, prin-
ciple cannot change with, or be the least affected
the ruling Ministers ; but practical conduct must and
ought to admit of modifications from such considera-
tions. . . • • • • • . • •
What was politic and wise then (under the Whigs) is
not so now. Every motive of prudence loudly suggests
that it is only common sense to endeavour to make the
best use of an institution, now that it is impossible to
alter or suppress it, which it would have been most in-
expedient and impolitic to take any part in, as long
as holding off seemed likely to produce such effects."
Such is the advice which the Government, by the
mouth of its servant, the Dublin Packet, addresses to
the clerical opponents of the National Board of Edu-
cation. Is it not passing strange—assuming that there
has been no change of purpose, from infirmity to de-
cision on the part of the Government in this matter—
that simultaneous with a statement that a decisive,
course was henceforth to be adopted—which statement
had nofoundation in fact—there should be all this
waste of argument by the Government organ to recon-
cile the clergy to a state of things which had really
no existence ? On the supposition that the Govern-
ment means henceforth to give efficiency to its own
system of education in Ireland, by removing obstacles
which have hitherto retarded and counteracted its
success, all is plain. On the contrary hypothesis,
everything is confused and contradictory. Will the
Standard undertake to reconcile the discrepancies.
In the meantime, the-High Churchmen in this coun-
try see, in the ecclesiastical measures of Sir Robert
Peel, everything to alarm their fears. The system of
exclusive privileges, civil and religious, of which they
are by education and habit the advocates, they con-
sider as perilled by his policy. The Church and State
Gazette has for several weeks poured forth its anathemas
on the Government, and especially on Sir Robert Peel.
In consistency with the distrust of the Premier which
that influential organ of the Ultras in this country has
long inculcated, upon all who desire to preserve
, Protestantism in both countries from threatened ex-
tirpation, w e find in its leading articles of Saturday
last, the tocsin of alarm sounded in the loudest notes.
In one article we read :—" The Church, the House
of Lords, the Monarchy, must all abide the furious
trial. They may yet be saved ; but not by the
policy adopted by Sir R. Peel. That is certain de-
struction to all ! Under it the House of Commons
will become omnipotent, and, as in times past, will
break down and trample upon the other forms of the
Constitution."

rHE, LONDON GAZETTE.

(THIS EVENING.)

FORFIGN-OFFICE, APRIL 9.

The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint
Patrick Walker, Esq., to be her Majesty's Agent and
Consul-General in the Mosquito te-ritory.
The Queen has also been graciously pleased to appoint
John Lindegren, Esq., to be her Majesty's Consul in the
island of Porto Rico.

Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire.
Herts Yeomanry Cavalry, Cashio Troop--Cornet J.
Branton to be Lieutenant, vice Oddie, resigned ; T. Kin-
der, Gent., to be Cornet, vice Branton, promoted,
March 20.

The Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury
having certified to the Commissioners for the Reduction
of the National Debt, in pursuance of the Act, 10th
George IV., e. 27, sec. 1, that the actual surplus revenue
iif the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
beyond the actual expenditure thereof, for the year
ended the sth day of January, 1844, amounted to 'the
sum .of one million four hundred and forty-three
thousand- three hundred and two pounds, eighteen
shillings, and eightpence halfpenny ;
The Commissioners for the Reduction of the
National Debt hereby give notice, that the sum of
three hundred and sixty thousand eight hun-
dred. and twenty-five .pounds, fourteen shillings,
and eight pence (being one-fourth part of the said sur-
plus of one million four ,hundred and forty-three thou-
sand three hundred and two pounds; eighteen shillings,
and eight pence half-penny) will be applied, under the
provisions'of the said Act, between the 7th day of April.
1844, and the sth day of July, 1844, to the following
purposes,. viz.:— £. s. d.
To be applied to the purchase of Stock 60,825 14 8
To be applied to .the purchase of Ex-
-chequer-bills, made out in pursuance .
of the Act of 57th Geo. 111., cap 48 ... 300,000 0 0

360,825 14 8

Add interest receivable on account of
donations and bequests, to be applied
to the purchase of Stock