The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-10 00:00:00

THE S.O N,

himself with saying he should consider it utterly un-
worthy of himself, were he to display any feelings of a
personal or vindictive character, by which the Right
Hon. Gentleman had supposed he might be influenced.—
(Hear, hear.) But he must also distinctly declare that
he could not admit that there was any wrong committed
which the Government was called on to repair. He
distinctly denied that the trial -of Mr. O'Connell was
other than a fair trial.—(Hear, hear.) But as he said
before, considering the circumstances under which these
persons were placed, considering their absence from that
House, and the fact that they were fulfilling the sentence
of the law, ho would not be provoked into any discussion
with respect to the proceedings in Ireland that would
render any vindication of the course of the Government
necessary with respect to them. The Right Hon. Gen-
tleman had premised that the sole cause of adjourning the
House, instead of proroguing it, was the state of the
appeal on the Irish trials. He could not say that this
was the whole truth. There were circumstances to which

I he need not refer, which would, under any circumstances,
have rendered an adjournment necessary.—(Hear, hear.)
But this he would not hesitate to say, that, seein the
judges could not pronounce their decision on the points
which had been referred to them until the latter end of
August, being necessarily absent on their circuits,
and it being possible that the decision to be
pronounced by the highest tribunal—the Court
of' Appeal, might be in favour of those who were suffer-
ing the sentence of the law, he should certainly have
regretted if any course had been taken which svoulkt
have prevented those parties from having the full bene-
fit of that possibility. The adjournment, however, was
not solely caused by the state of the proceedings in the
Irish State Trials, though he would not deny that it would
be a sufficient cause for resorting to an adjournment in-
stead of a prorogation. The Noble Lord stated that
the Government had done nothing for Ireland. Now,
with respect to that point, he had last year stated that
the Government had adopted a most important step in
the appointment of the Landlord and Tenant Commission.
He h3d then stated the circumstances under which the
Government had preferred full inquiry to precipate
legislation. The Hon. Member for Bolton had last
year introduced a measure for the regulation of the rela-
tions of landlord and tenant. The Government might
have relieved themselves from all responsibility for the
tame by passing that Bill ; but the course they took was
to appoint a Commission, composed of gentlemen in
whom the country reposed confidence, for the
purpose of making full inquiry. on the subject.
He thought that was a wiser course than
proceeding at once to legislate upon imperfect
information, and although no enactment had taken place
during the present session, yet, inquiry was proceeding,
on the report of which some legislative enactment might
be grounded for the remedy of these grievances.—
(Cheers.) He thought the general course which the
Government had pursued with regard to Ireland was
sufficient to demonstrate that recent events had not in-
fluenced the spirit of their legislation. With respect to
the Charitable Trusts Bill, he had stated in the debate on
that subject theintentions of the Government; he had also
stated that it was the intention of the Government to take
into consideration during the recess the question of educa-
tion, for the purpose of devising means to supply the
deficiency which, he admitted, existed more in the south
and west of Ireland in lay academical education. The
condition of Maynooth had not escaped the attention of
the Government. He did not consider that the condition
of that college was satisfactory, and he should apply
himself to the consideration of that subject, in the hope o'
remedying those defects and removing those objections
which existed to the course of education there. Al-
though the measure respectiag the franchise had not met
with the approval of the House, yet the Government had
been actuated by the feeling that Great Britain
and Ireland ought, as far as possible, to be placed upon
a footing of equality as regarded their civil rights. In
the Municipal Bill they had carried out that principle,
by placing the municipal franchise in Ireland on the
same footing on which it was placed in this country. He
trusted that what he had said had not been tinctured
with party spirit—(Hear, hear)—for he should be sorry
if it should lead to a party discussion. No man admitted
or regretted more than he did the existence of a feeling
of jealousy in Ireland with regard to this country, and
that unfortunate feeling of jealousy, no doubt, tended to
weaken the strength of the country. But he was not
the less confident, although he trusted that no case
might arise which would render an appeal to the
people of Ireland necessary.—(Cheers.) But should
such a case arise—should a necessity occur for such an
appeal being made—he did not doubt but that the peo-
ple of Ireland would unite cordially with the people of
Great Britain in the support of the Sovereign and her
interests.—(Loud cheers.) The Noble Lord had not
contrasted the condition of the country at former
periods with its condition at present ; but if they care-
fully considered what was the condition of the country
en that day, when they were about to separate for the
recess, with the condition of the country in 1841—
if they considered what had recently occurred in
Europe, what was the state of trade and industry—the
House could not but come to the conclusion that such
a contrast would be favourable, and would show at all
events that the strength of the country had increased.—
(Cheers.) He did not wish to draw that contrast; he
only wished to show that which he believed to be true—
that with respect to trade, with respect to employment,
with respect to the general condition of the people, they
might, in separating, entertain feelings of cordial satis-
faction at the material improvement which bad taken
place in their condition, and at the prospect which was
held out to them that that improvement would continue
to advance.—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. BELLEW was rejoiced to find that the Govern-
ment intended to legislate on the subject of landlord and
tenant. He also rejoiced to bear the Right Hon. Ba-
ronet repeat that night the sentiments to which he had
before given utterance on the subject of education. he
was anxious that measures on both subjects should be
carried; but any measure, however good, would lose a
great portion of its effect in Ireland so long as Mr.
O'Connell continued in prison. The people of Ireland
were deeply attached to him—(Cheers)—and were dis-
gusted by the manner in which he was treated.—
(Cheers.) The state of Ireland at the present momeut
was one of feverish excitement, and the most trifling oc-
currence must involve them in a state of servile war, and
lead to spoliation and bloodshed. He believed the Right
Hon. Gentleman would be glad if circumstances arose
to afford him an opportunity of liberating Mr. O'Connell.
Lord J. RUSSELL rose to explain. •He had not said
they could, by legislation ,give to the labouring man a
fair day's wages for a fair day's work directly, but they
would be affording the best means of doing so by re-
moving restrictions which pressed on his means.
Mr. HUME said he did not think there was a
man who could say he was satisfied with the state of the
country, whether he considered the state of the agricul-
turists, miners, or any other class of men. The greatest
injury was produced bythe pressure of unequal taxation.
He thought that this could be ameliorated by legislation.
He was of opinion that the condition of the people might
be improved by removing the restrictions which pressed
upon industry. If the Right Hon. Baronet would only
follow out his own principle, and take off the duties on
all raw material, the country would soon be placed in a
state of prosperity. He was never more surprised than
when he heard the Right Hon. Baronet say that Mr.
O'Connell had had a fair trial. He believed that not only
in this country, but Wall other countries to which the ac-
count had been carried, a different opinion prevailed, and
that the conviction was, that he had not had a fair trial.—
(Hear, hear.) He gave the Right lion. Baronet all cre-
dit for the spirit by which his legislation towards Ireland
had been directed for the last six weeks.—(Hear.) It was
altogether different from that which had been manifested
at the beginning of the session. He hoped that the Right
Hon. Gentleman would not depart from the spirit which
he had exhibited, and he was sure he would himself be
the first to perceive the benefits of his altered legislation
for Ireland

Mr. COCHRANE regretted that the Right Hnn.
Baronet had held out no hopes of any further alteration
in the New Yvor•law Bill. The Right Hon. Baronet had
been successful in his commercial measures, but he (Mr.
Cochrane) would remind him of the sentiment of the
poet—