The Sun.
London, England, 1829-09-19 00:00:00

which is the land of federation, no sooner saw the
danger, than every thing was put in motion to pro-
vide a remedy. The citizens entered into an en-
gagement, and we have our covenant for the refusal
of the taxes, as the Scotch formerly had their cove-
nant for religion, The model of it, when shown to
the Ministry (still trembling with the acclamations
of Lyons) acted like a cannon-shot, and, irritated to
the quick, it seized the papers which spread the
news, but not in time to prevent the circulation of
more than 20,000, and all France is now informed
of it.

We declare that it is the duty of the citizens to
bethink thettse.lves seriously of their situation ; the
method adopted by theßretons is the only one which
can lead to the overthrow of the Ministry, without
risking the destruction of the dynasty and the hor-
rors of civil war. It forces Ministers to remain within
the bounds of the law, or compels them to propose
measures to the Prince beyond the law. In such a
case, it will be impossible that a sense of his duty
and of his situation, the remembrance of his oaths,
and the advice of his friends, should not enlighten
the King upon the danger into which they would
hurry him. He knows the limit of his prerogative,
and he knows that he cannot exceed it without de-
stroying the contract which has also prescribed the
bounds of popularpower,and circumscribed its action.

The vote of the taxes is the popular prerogative,
if we may use the expression, in opposition to Royal
prerogative; and it is upon this prerogative that the
existence and the rights of the House of Commons
repose. If the people did not possess it, they
would have no control over the Government, and
they could neither correct a t abuse, nor procure any
amelioration. By means of the vote of the taxes,
the equilibrium, which the initiative of the laws and
the absolute veto, the supreme power of the admi-
nistration, the command of the forces by land and by
sea, the right of peace and war, serve to make the
balance incline so much to the King's side, would
be, if not re-established, at least its tendency would
be averted. The power of the Chamber to refuse
subsidies has been an insurmountable obstacle to
every Ministry.
• • • • • • •

No one will affirm that in history an example may
not be found of a great people and a King placed
in such a position as to render some violent blow
necessary. The Representative Government is a
piece of mechanism, and the vote of the taxes is
one of its principal springs.
•

Questions of finance might arise, and there might
be circumstances when they might involve the vital
principle of power ; and then, though there might
be injustice, and even great errors, yet there would
he no ground to refuse the taxes. The Bretons
have not asserted the contrary, but the fear of sinis-
ter names and of perverse doctrines, of an attempt
against the charter, the electoral laws, and the inde-
pendence of the Chamber of Deputies, forced them
to adopt some precaution.
• • • • •

We have read the Charter, and it has taught us
not only what are the powers of the Prince, but what
is our duty. If in its name he should alone impose
a tax, or dictate a )air, on that day would the crime
of high treason have been committed and the Con-
stitution violated; and popular justice would seek
for reparation at the foot of the throne. His sacred
prerogative would not shield him,anil indeed it would
be fortunate if it escaped the wreck in which France
and the Charter would have been overwhelmed. We
believe the Charter to be a gift which cannot be
withdrawn. You know what we were when the
Bourbons returned, and how that compact was
formed, in which we buried the animosities of 25
years, as they buried theirs. Recollect the 31st of
March; when, under the smoke of foreign camps,
amid the dust of the ruins of the empire, at the
single cry of peace, all our life, since 89, returned
to us. The Emperor of Russia proclaimed our
right as the passport end absolution of his victory ;
the emancipated Senate declared them; and a pro-
visionary Government guaranteed them.
.

You see, that at the bare mention of your names,
at the very sound of your insensate declarations, the
country prepares itself. Will you go farther? You
say no. So much the better. You will condemn
yourself beforehand if you lie; you will fall if you
tell the truth.