The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-13 00:00:00

THE StTN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENIN

ROBERT PEEL and his late colleagues; and, in his
audience of to-day, he will probably lay before her
MAJESTY the necessity of his being exactly informed
of the nature and extent of the support which will be
given him by the leading members of the late Cabinet.
'it is clear that if Sir ROBERT PEEL and the Duke
of Wszi.ntaToN could have agreed to propose a repeal
of the corn-laws themselves, they would probably
have been able to gain the consent of the House of
Lords, which, without their support, Lord JOHN
RUSSELL can never hope to do, but which, with their
support (though on this point there may be a differ-
ence of opinion), Lord Joart RussELL:tnay be even
better able to effect than they could effect it for them-
selves. Their support, however, will be necessary
to him.] Andi it will not do to trust to Sir
ROBERT PEEL'S generosity or sense of political
honour. We know, from past experience, how
lightly he holds the " responsibilities of opposition."
Place and power may have no charms for him while
he has them; but, somehow or other, when he has
them not, he acts as if their attractions were all-
powerful.

We are assured on the best authority, that the
statements of yesterday, that the late Cabinet
had never decided to repeal the corn-laws and
that Sir ROBERT PEEL was all through opposed
by a majority of his colleagues, are totallZ incorrect.
On Wednesday of last week the Duke of WELLING-
TON consented to Sir ROBERT PEEL'S views : after
the Cabinet Council [of Thursday the Duke went to
Strathfieldsaye, and on Friday " a change came o'er
the spirit of his dream." The change of intention
MS communicated to Sir ROBERT PEEL, who there-
fore on Saturday apprised her MAJESTY of his own
resignation. But for the Duke of WELLINGTON'S
revoking his consent, the object of Sir ROBERT
PEEL'S visit to Osborne House on the Saturday
would have been to take her MAJESTY'S pleasure as
to successors to the seceding members of the Cabinet
Lord STANLEY, Lord WZIARNCLIFFE, Lord RIPON,
and the Duke of BuccLEucu.

Lord JOHN RUSSEII, and his friends will return to
power ;under some of the most favourable circum-
stances that ever fell to the lot of candidates for
office, and what adds to the happy coincidence, these
circumstances arise not from accident ; they are the
results of wise and patriotic conduct on the part of
the late: Opposition, and the deliberate spon-
taneous act of the Conservatives themselves. No
men ever came with better characters from their last
places of service than RUSSELL and Co. During the
whole of the PEEL Administration, not one factious
motion, according to the best of our recollection, was
made—no party spirit was displayed, either in the
Houses of Commons or,Lords, or at any Whig meetings
throughout the country. Never had any Minister
a fairer trial than Sir ROBERT PEEL. The only
anxiety manifested on the Opposition benches was,
that his good measures might succeed ; and, with the
exception of the amended corn-law, they were all of
that character. The Liberals cared not for
the honour and glory usually accompany-
ing generous and successful plans, though
the best plans of Sir ROBERT PEEL were stolen from
them ;—they were anxious only for their success, and
with a spirit] of high principle, hitherto unknown
on the benches of :the Opposition, they preferred
the real interests of the nation, the peace of
Ireland, and the promotion of free-trade measures,
to the selfish advantages of places and pensions.
Never was any conduct more noble than theirs on
the Maynooth question. They believed it to be ail
necessary, a just, and a conciliatory Bill, and casting
to the winds their own popularity with the
Dissenting body, regardless of the hostility
of their best friends, and risking even
their seats in Parliament, they remained
steadfast in their purpose and left the consequences
to the tide of events. They looked with contempt
even on that portion of the Whig press which sup-
ported them on every other point, and which had been
advocates, too, of this very measure, but which vilely
betravpd its nrinrinlaa .7;14, tha 1”-T. -r gain, and
vainly endeavoured to drag its patrons with it

through the miry path of infamy. Such patriotic
firmness in a good cause has earned for the leaders
of the new Ministry imperishable honour, and tl-ey
now reap their just reward; for even the bitterest
Tory, rendered savage by the downfal of his
friends, cannot lay to the charge of Lord
Jour; RUSSELL or any of his party one act
of factious opposition. Need we contrast this
scene with what occurred towards the close of the
MELBOURNE Administration, when the vilest calum-
nies were propagated at Tory meetings, when the
clergy themselves, forgetting their sacred character,
their usual devotion to the Throne, and all regard
to truth, reviled their young and innocent Sovereign,
and denounced her Ministers as traitors to their
country and QUEEN. But " wisdom is justified of
her children," and the backbiters have had their re-
ward. They have not been turned out by
the Whigs—on the contrary the Whigs did every-
thing in their power to aid them in the Government
of the country, but they found themselves unequal to
the task, and gave up the helm in despair, because
they could no longer fight under false colours, and
steer the crazy vessel to a place of safety.

The brief interregnum which succeeds the resig-
nation of a Min try, is a period fraught with interest
to all. A universal excitement pervades the vast
community ; each individual seems electrified by the
sudden shock. Every passing rumour becomes
matter of importance ; all are on the qui v;ve to ob-
tain the earliest information. Setting aside the flies
which gather round the honey, the numerous par•

tisans who seek for place, who watch every turn and
movement of the new Minister, as though life and
death depended upon him—setting these aside, there
is a party which looks on with deep and earnest atten-
tion, which scans each act and weighs each decision
with an impartial mind. The great body of the
people look to the new Ministry with anxiety.
To whom is a Government of such interest
as to those whom it is to govern ? Few
changes of Administration have aroused public
attention like the present ; all feel that this is no
common change, there is more in it than meets the
eye. Those who have watched the signs of the times
have long felt that a new era of government was at
hand. England is not now what she was a hundred
years back ; intelligence has progressed at railway
speed ; the minds of the multitude are no longer the
same, yet their short-sighted rulers have preserved
old restrictions, and sought to confine the energy and
industry of the present day in the narrow limits of
bygone times. The dissensions of Whigs and Tories
have prevented either from benefiting the people,
while all who have had the opportunity have bene-
fited themselves. It was evident that all this
could not continue long; a change has been
for some time gradually progressing, and
now the climax is at hand. Last session we
saw, not the fusion of parties for their common
benefit, but the co-operation of opponents for the in-
terest of the country. The close of the year brings
a new Ministry, whose advent is regarded with
anxiety and with hope.

If the Tories could preach conciliation to Ireland,
and mitigate taxes, and set an example of toleration,
what shall we not expect from the Liberal party,
who are to succeed them in office ? These conside-
rations increase the general excitement, and the
anxiety to learn the names of the new Ministers.

" There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune."

Mr. COBDEN' remarked ata recent free-trade meet-
ing, that Sir H. Nil. had missed the flood-tide that
would have led him on to fortune—that he had lost
the golden opportunity„ by neglecting to repeal the

corn-laws while there was yet time. It is now evi-
dent that Sir R. PEEL was not to blame. Like an

experienced pilot, he bided his time, and was prepared
to seize his advantage, but found himself unable to
manage his vessel ; it would no longer answer the
helm, Sir ROBERT was defeated and resigned, because
he was unable to repeal the corn .laws ! Truly his
brightest moments were his last The same
opportunity is now offered to Lord JOHN
RUSSELL ; the flood-tide is ready to bear
him on to fortune, if he seize the flood-
tide. The old days of party restrictions are gone
by ; it is not enough to send alone for those who
once formed a Cabinet of Whigs. If Lord Joule
would indeed be Minister, and a Minister worthy of
the age, he must act in accordance with the desires
of the people, and act in a free and impartial
spirit. On this principle he must choose his col-
leagues. 1841 beheld the downfal of the Whigs ;
1845 saw the destruction of the Tories ; may 1846
witness a Ministry, call itself by what name it will,
free from the trammels of party prejudice, and de-
termined to follow a bold, vigorous, and liberal
policy. Called to rule over all, may it act not for a
class but for the nation. If last session Lord Joan
supported his opponents in legislating for the good of
Ireland, will he not this year go further and ad-
minister entire justice to the sister country. She de-
mands no more. One of the first measures of the
new Government must be to repeal the corn-laws, to
unloose the bonds of industry, and give full scope to
free trade next session. One of the Tory papers ob-
serves, " the work of ruin will commence." It will
be glorious ruin in truth, the destruction of monopoly
and class legislation.

A QUARTER OF A MILLION FOR
THE LEAGUE.

We are delighted to hear, from a quarter upon
which we place the utmost reliance, that the Anti-
Corn-law League, so far from relaxing in its efforts
by the probably near consummation of the triumph
of free-trade principles, is determined to make assur-
ance doubly sure by re-doubling its exertions, its
means, and its diligence. With this object, the
Council of the League have determined to raise

A QUARTBR OF A MILLION-TWO HUNDRBD AND FIFTY
THOUSAND rouNus—to be applied in furtherance
of the grand object of free-trade. Th• Council have
determined wisely. Under the guidance of such men
as COBDEN, money entrusted to them will be faith •
fully, usefully, and honestly expended ; whilst by
providing for every possible contingency, and
holding their proud position, alike undaunted by
difficulty or intoxicated by success, they render it
out of the power of any. Ministry to avoid granting
full and entire freedom of trade, and abolition of all
restrictions upon the food of the people.

A special meeting of the Essex Agricultural Pro-
tection Society was held yesterday at Chelmsford, is
a room at the Saracen's Head Hotel. As might have
been expected, the speakers vied with each other in
their denunciations of Sir ROBERT PEEL, and Sir
JOHN TYRRELL announced that the future leaders of
the monopolists would be the Duke of IVEnnisoToN,
Lord STANLEY, Lord WHARNCLIFFE, Lord GRAN..
VILLE SOMERSET, and Mr. S. HERBERT. Resolutions
pledging the meeting to maintain the present system
of protection, and placing a sum of 2,0001. at the dis-
posal of the committee were agreed to, and after
giving three groans for Sir R. PBBL the meeting sepa-
rated. We rejoice rather than otherwise at seeing
the Protection Societies coming out in this way ; these
meetings act as drains to " the great, agri-
cultural mind," enabling it to get rid of a vast
quantity of its "nonsense ;" and immense was
the quantity of "nonsense" drained off at Chelms-
ford yesterday. For instance, a Mr COPLAND,
in moving the first resolution, made use of
the following expressions—" What did the manu-
facturers say ? That free trade would reduce corn
to such a price that the English producer would not
be able to grow it." Now, pray you. grand Ur•
1- nliat, year of our LORD did all
this happen ? When and where did any
manufacturer (meaning thereby, as you evidently
mean a free-trader),: when and where did any ad-
vocate for free trade say that free trade would reduce
corn to such a price that the English producer would
not be able to grow it? Again, the Rev. Mr. SMITLIERS,
quoting from Mr. CAPLET, said, thLt "So far from
the landed proprietors being the originators of the
corn-laws for the support of their rents, those laws
had been originated by the opponents of the
agricultural interest that more than 800
years ago the first corn-law was established to
prevent farmers exporting to the Continent, where
they could obtain a higher price for their pro-
duce than at home. That law continued in force
for nearly 350 years. The next law was made to

prevent farmers exporting wool, and that was for
the benefit of the manufacturers at home. Some
time afterwards the population having considerably
increased, and the cultivation of the land having gone
on, there was a greater demand for wheat in Eng-
land than on the Continent, and a great quantity of
it began to pour into the country, to the injury of
the agriculturists, and they in consequence requested
protection from its influx, for the purpose of giving
them compensation for the loss they sustained in not
being allowed to export wool." Now, we should be
glad to know who, 800 years ago, were the
opponents of the "I ended proprietors," who esta-
blished the first corn law accordingv to Mr.
SAIITHERS, and how they came to be able to
make these laws, seeing that 800 years ago
the landed aristocracy monopolised all the power
of the country. We are obliged, however, to
Mr. SMITHERS for the imformation that the
protection against the influx of foreign corn was
accorded to the agriculturists for the purpose
of giving them compensation for the loss they sus-
tained in not being allowed to export wool, because,
as they now possess the right to export wool, it is but
fair that they should give up the compensation. The Rev.
Gentleman, in the course of his speech, repeated the fal-
lacy—that the corn-laws were beneficial to the la•
bourer by keeping up his wages; and in the same breath
gave as one of the grounds entitling the farmer
to protection that he had to contend, if he could,
in the labour market with the railroad contractor,
who gave as wages 15s. a-week. We have it, there-
fore, on the authority of the Rev. Mr. SMITHERS, that
in the county of Essex the labourer cannot earn 15s.
a-week as an agricultural labourer, because the pro-
tected farmer cannot afford to give such high
wages which the unprotected railway contractor
can and does. What then becomes of the theory of
protection raising wages ? We hope that these Protec •
. .

tion Societies will hold public meetings in every
county in England. The speakers at them cannot
open their mouths withcut making some admissions
fatal to the cause of monopoly. They are the
most useful allies the League has ever had, and were
the Rev. Mr. SMITHERS and his coadjutors paid anti-
corn-law lecturers, they could not do the League
work more effectually.

Madrid journals of the sth have been received, but
we find nothing in them of any interest to the Eng-
lish reader.

On the Bourse the Three per Cents. were some-
what lower on the sth, closing at 36b at 60 days ;
twelve millions done. Five per Cents., 241, at 60
days ; four millions done. Exchange on London, 361.

The Faris papers are chiefly occupied with the
dismissal of M. BAUDON, the Receiver-General of
the Seine-Inferiure, and a royal ordonnance for re-
modelling the Council of the University. M. BAu-
DON is President of the company formed to offer for
the Paris and Lyons Railway, and has been dismissed
from his lucrative situation, according to report, for
having amalgamated with other companies, in place of
making a separate tender, as became a servant of the
Crown, and thereby creating a fair competition for
the benefit of the State. The Opposition journals
blame the Government for what they consider an act
of great severity, while it cannot be denied that by this
wholesale fusion, patronised by the Receiver-General,
the expense of the work will be greatly increased.

M. HUM ANN, Receiver-General of the Bas Rhine,
succeeds him. The object of the ordonnance for the
re-organization of the University is to place the
system of education more immediately under the
influence of the Government, and prevent such
crotchety men as M. QUINET from quarrelling with
the Minister of Public Instruction. The royal de-
cree orders—" That the Council of the Uni-
versity shall resume its constitution, as established by
the organic decree of March 17, 1808 ; that it shall
take the title of Royal Council of the University ;
that the Vice-President of the said Council shall unite
to that title that of Chancellor of the University ; the
Councillor whoexercises provisionally the functions of
the secretary of the Council shall assume definitively the
title of Secretary-General of the Royal Council of the
University ; the Inspectors-General of Studies shall
resume the title of Inspector's• General of the Univer-
sity ; the branch of primary instruction shall be
directly represented in the Royal Council of the
University." Baron THENARD, Peer of France, and
Vice-President of the Council of the University, has
been appointed Chancellor.
The Journal des Debats contains an article on the
reform made in the English Tariff by Sir ROBERT
PEEL, and expresses a hope that the French Ministry
will imitate the good example. This probably is a
feeler put forth by the Government for a discussion
of the question in the ensuing session, with a view to
abate the evils of prohibitive duties in France. The
Government journal thus concludes its remarks on the
subject :

'• Far be it from us to al for so general a reform of
our tariffs, and to pretend to apply at once such a prin-
ciple of absolute freedom to analogous articles amongst
us. The interests of our agriculture and of our home
market are justly too predominant, and are entitled to
too much consideration, to allow such a measure to be
precipitately introduced. It would be still more rash to
extend it to tropical produce, such as sugar, coffee, and
tobacco, articles essentially taxable from their very nature,
and which afford to the Treasury most precious resources.
Here the question of political economy is mixed up with
that of financial interest, and the first law of the for-
mer is never to deprive the State of a branch of revenue be-
fore it has provided for its replacement from the other re-
sources at its disposal. But if those articles, the con-
sumption of which throw the duty on the wealthier
classes only, are not to be thought of, it is easy to compre-
hend that it is indispensablefor the future prosrects of our
manufactures that the raw material should as rapidly as
possible reach the hand of the fabricator at a cheap rate,
that is, exempt of all charge. This truth, exceedingly
simp!e in appearance, and yet which has been only prat•
tised of late, ought to enter into the spirit of our tariffs.
That would be, besides, to remain faithful to our pre-
vious acts—to be consistent, for if the present state of
our customs' regulations be compared with what they
were twenty years back, it will be seen that great im-
provement has be en made in alleviating the tariffs.
Much, however, still remains to be effected."

The King came to Paris on Wednesday, and held a
Council of Ministers, at which he presided.
The session of the States of Bavaria was opened on
the 6th with a speech from the throne, in which the
King expressed his great satisfaction at the calm and
prudent conduct of his subjects in a time of excitement
and agitation, and declared his warm attachment to
them, and his confidence that the relltions between the
throne and the nation would be indissoluble.

The market both for Stock and Railway Shares was
greatly depressed on Thursday. The Three per Cents. fell
40c. ; the Fives, 25c. ; Orleans Shares fell 20f. ; Rouen,
25f. ; Havre, 10f. ; Vierzon, 25f. ; Bordeaux, 10i. ; Nor-
thern Shares, 214 f.
The Three per Cents., closed at 81f. 70c. ; the Five per
Cents., 118 f. 15c. ; the Orleans Railroad Shares, 1,150 f. ;
Rouen, 945 f.; Northern, 707 f. 50c. ; Havre, 7601. ; Avignon,
870 f. ; Vierzon, 625 f. ; Bordeaux, 600 f. ; Boulogne, 5001.;
Troyes and Montereau, 425 f. ; Basle, 2351. ; Belgian Two-
and•a-Half per Cents., 5614 ; Spanish Actives, 36; Spanish
Three per Cents, 3814 ; ditto Domestic Debt, 35 ; ditto,
Passives, 61/2.