The Sun.
London, England, 1842-06-24 00:00:00

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LONDON.
FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE 24, 1842.

The House of Commons was last night almost ex-.
elusively occupied with the affairs of Alfghanistan
Mi. H. C. BAILIE, in moving for fin iher papers on
the subject, condemned the policy of the late Ministry
for invading that countiy. His views were seconded
by :11r. D'lsßAErn, who did not suffer the oppor-
tunity of attacking Lord PALMERSTON and his
foreign policy to escape. The task of defending
the Whigs naturally fell' to Sir JOHN HonnousE,
who, in their Administration, presided over the
affairs of India; It was the general opinion
that he executed this task successfully, and
made out a far better case for the Indian Govern-
ment—relying on the authority of its agents, and
supposing their representations to be the fitting
guide of its pol Ly—than was supposed possible.
Lord JocrnAN followed Sir J. HOBHOUSE without
replying to him, and then :Mr. HoGG made a fervent
and energetic speech against the Affghan war, while
be declared that he.regretted the motion was brought
foi and at a time when there should be no indulgence
it declamation, but when the energies of the country
should be put fiiftlt to punish the foulest perfidy, and
avenge tir:! most atrocious murder. Sir R. PEEL
objected to producing the papers moved for ;
they referred to several unpleasant matters in
which Russian agents had .been involved, and
as we are at present on the bes t of terms with Russia
it would be wrong. to run the risk of reviving past dif-
ferences. Lord PALMERSTON defended the policy of
the late Government, and concluded an able speech by
expressing an opinion that we had now regained our
superiority in Afghanistan, and by declaring that he
should hear with reluctance of our troops spreading
the ravages of war over that country, if we were
not to keep it as a barrier for our Indian empire. The
debate was on the whole satisfactory, as evincing in
all our statesmen a proud conviction that great Britain
has nothing to fear for her supremacy in India, as well
as a determination to maintain it. Sir _ROBERT
PEEL said England could, he believed, retain that em-
pire, though Russia and Prussia were not in alliance
with her, and in despite of all efforts to wrest it from
her hands. He drew hope and energy from the pa-
tient endurance of Sir ROBERT SALE and. from the
heroism of Sir ROBERT SALE'S lady. To her it seemed
beautifully complimentary to hear the Prime Minister
of England, at the distance of 10,000 miles, drawing
from her letter and her energy his hopes of the pre7-
servation of our Indian empire. Her courage inspired
our statesmen with energy. It is melancholy, indeed,
to refie.:t that Lady SALE may never hear of the ho-
nour conferred on her, but should she have been pre-
served, it will he a rich reward of which she could
never dream. In the end Mr. BAILIE withdrew his
motion.

It cannot be for one moment doubted or denied that
the law in England, generally speaking, is fairly and
impartially adininistered. Justice is tempered with
mercy. It is very rare that undue severity, not pre-
scribed by the law, is complained of. More frequently-
the complaint is- that criminals receive too much
leniency, and the laW is not rigidly enough enforced.
This is a truth which ought now to be remembered.
Neither is the Government, in respect to political
opinions, or political opponents, severe. We speak
not of the Tory Administration, or the Whig_ Admi-
irstraion, but of the general character latterly of the
Administration in the hands -of both parties. The
Press, though it have not lost its audacity, nor much
abated of personalities, is suffered, unprosecuted, to
pursue its own mrse ; and public meetings, even
midnight meetings,- with rare exceptions, have been
freely held. Partisans may complain that one
is de-
serving.
man not, and another undeserving man is,
rewarded ; the distribution of patronage cannot
please the disappointed; but when
that is nearly
all that ever is or can be urged, we are bound to con-.
elude that the Exe9ttive Government is mild, honest,

and impartial.
Nor is there much to complain of in the adminis-
tration of affairs in other respects, in Which: perhaps,
the la►v lays down no rules. Peace has latterly been
pr..served under difficult circumstances, both at *nue