The Sun.
London, England, 1842-09-13 00:00:00

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

W were asked some time ago whether the " Society for
the Protection of Religions Liberty" were still in ex-
.' istence We have to reply that it is, and that Mr.
Conder, of the Patriot, will answer any applications.

.11011 W TEL AT LONDON BRIDGE THIS DAY.
corning :,7 minutes after 71 Evening ..... 40 minutes after 8.

nufacturing districts, to represent it as an evil of
the manufacturing system. It is not exclusively
connected with manufactures. Its origin is the
monopoly of the soil. In fact, the truck system,
or the payment of wages in goods, is more gene-
ral in the agricultural than the manufacturing
districts; and probably as great an advantage is
taken of the labourers in the one as in the
other. The presumption is against the agricul-
..
tural districts, for the peasantry are much worse
off than the artisans.

There is nothing morally wrong, however, or
unjust in paying wages in goods, if both parties
agree to that mode of payment. What is mo-
rally wrong, what is unjust, and is very injurious,
is the power possessed by the employers of
labour over the labourers. That does not belong
exclusively to the manufacturing system ; on
the contrary, it is now possessed by master mg- ,
nufacturers, because it was previously possessed',
by landlords. It is derived rather from the right
of property than from any system of agricultural
or manufacturing industry, and those who would
remedy it must take other steps than railing
against the payment of wages in goods. Our
Tory Contemporaries betray on this subject a
great deal of juvenile sensibility. Like ignorant,
well-meaning lads, they are eager to redress a
great wrong, but they know neither its origin
nor how to cure it. The best, and perhaps only,
remedy for it, is perfectly free trade, which
would cause such a demand for the service of
labourers, that they might, within certain limits,
make their own terms, better their condition,
and be gradually restored to independence.

The manner in which the trial of the rioters
at York was conducted by the Judges, and the
prosecutors for the Crown, and the amount o
punishment inflicted on those convicted, has,
we believe, given general satisfaction, and, as
far as we are aware, no complaints have been
made on any of these points even by the
friends of the unfortunate suflerers. Lord DEN-
MAN and Mr. Justice MAULE gave a careful con-
sideration to every circumstance of palliation ;
the Counsel for the Crown showed great for-
bearance; and the Jury, much to their credit, in
every case where they could interfere with pro-
priety, recommended the prisoners to mercy.
Only one severe sentence was passed, but look-
ing at the nature of the offence, robbing a soldier
while senseless and bleeding from an assault
committed by one of the rioters, no other result
could be expected. The prisoner convicted of
this crime was nut, like the other prisoners, en-
gaged in a novel and unfortunate experi-

meat to obtain better wages and better treat-
ment from their masters, but had joined
them probably for the purpose of plun-
der, and thereby not only brought his
punishment justly on himself, but also
did great injury to those operatives with
whom he became associated. He was sentenced
to banishment for ten years. The more conspi-
cuous of the other offenders, and chiefly those
who had tyrannically attempted to control the
freedom of labour by stopping mills and vio-
lently compelling the hands to leave off work,
were sentenced to various periods of imprison-
ment, from eighteen to three months; several
were sent to prison for only fourteen days, com-
puted from the time of their arrest; and a great
number were discharged, with a simple admoni-
tion. The results, therefore, as far as relates to
the trials at York, are more favourable than
many persons anticipated ; and it is only due to
the Judges and Jury to state, that the country is
under great obligations to them for thus exhibit-
ing a merciful disposition, which not only has
benefited the unfortunate prisoners brought be-
fore them, but has served as a precedent
fur the Judges and Magistrates in other districts.
At the Salford Sessions the Bench of Magistrates
imitated this example, and, unlike County
Magistrates in general, seemed to feel for the
misguided men, and mitigated the puu:shments
as tar as they could consistently with a due
regard to the rights of property, and the peace
of the country. It is fortunate, therefore, that
such Judges presided on• the occasion, and that
a tone was not given to these prosecutions by
renegade Whigs, who are blind to the crimes of
the rich, cruel and unforgiving to the poor, and
ever anxious to confirm the sincerity of their
apostacy by deeds which even the party
who has adopted them are ashamed to acknow-
ledge. had two Judges that we could name
presided at the York trials, the whole charac-
ter of these proceedings might have been
changed, and the spirit of discontent and irrita-
tion, which the humanity of Lord DENMAN and
Mr. Justice MAULS will tend to allay, would have
broken forth with tenfold fury. Some men have
no idea of the blessed effects of lenity ; they
vainly believe that the law, independent of public
opinion, is all powerful ; and, blind to the dic-
tates of common sense, and led astray
by their high notions of absolute power, never
discover their errors till, by some serious resist-
ance, they find that the law, when administered.
in opposition to the feelings of the community,
is only useless and dangerous in proportion to its
violence. Happily these absurd and mischievous
notions are now losing ground. The public mind
revolts against unnecessary severity; and instead
of concurring in the decisions of Judges that have
no idea of leaning to the side of mercy, invaria-
bly sympathises with the guilty sufferer. If
even more lenity had been shown to some
of these rioters, the ends of justice would
have been, fully answered. Where violence
was resorted to, and industrious men driven from
their employment, and compelled to join the
crowd, contrary to their own convictions, the
offenders have little claim to leniency. But it
ought to be borne in mind that some of these
persons had been suffering for years under great
deprivations, and probably were driven to
these lawless deeds, not only by want, but
by a foolish impression that a general strike
would ultimately raise the price of labour.
They have now seen their folly,. and it
remains, therefore, for the Executive to con-
sider whether, in all cases where the offenders
I had previously been men of good character, the
term of imprisonment might not be shortened.
Perhaps there is not an instance on record of
such a general rising accompanied with so little
injury to property. " The failure of the late
attempt," says Lord BROUGHAM in a letter on
the subject, " to make the distress so prevalent a

means of disturbing the peace, is most creditable

to the people. Even in the few instances of sot ne
misguided persons for a moment forgetting their
duty, they showed a distrust of themselves and
of each other, the result of that habitual respect
for the law, and aversion to illegal proceedings,
which so honourably marks the character of
Englishmen. This great merit should not be
forgotten by their rulers:" In these just and hu-
mane sentiments we fervently hope the rulers of
the people will concur, for they may rest assured
that by a merciful administration of justice the
Executive acquires public respect, and the law
additional authority and strength.

Our Portuguese news is of the sth inst. A
of 66 votes to 14 carried the vote of
majoy
confidence,rit so that the Ministers will-hang toge-
ther for a few weeks longer. Lord ABERDEEN'S
new proposal for tariff reductions had been re-
ceived by the Lisbon Cabinet. His Lordship
offered to give up the 20 per cent. additional ad
valorem duty on-Portuguese wines, and to sub-
stitute a duty of 3s. per gallon. He further con-
sented to a heavy import duty on British wool -
lens exported to Portugal, for the purpose of
protecting the cloth manufactures of Portugal.

From Madrid we have news of the 3d instant.
The capital continued
,tranquil, and a rumour
prevailed that the Cortes would meet for the
despatch of business on the 20th inst. M.
OLOZAGA WaS about to proceed on a commercial
trade mission to Belgium and Holland, between
which nations and Spain the most amicable rela•L
tions at present exist. Our Ambassador, Mr.
ASTON, had obtained the liberation of Prince
LICHNOWSRI, arrested at Barcelona for boasting
of having served in the army of . DON CARLOS.
and for having insulted the Government and the
local authorities.

The Patriota contradicts an assertion of several

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