The Sun.
London, England, 1827-01-01 00:00:00

mitted an act of injustice, is to reap its fruits in perpetuity,
because England is called upon by her ally to perform an
act of friendship and justice. But though he deprecates war,
he smiles at its trilling consequence to France; " the proba-
ble loss of two or three rocks in the ocean, while 150 armed
vessels dispersed over the seas of the globe would do more
harm to the commerce of England than all her fleets
could do to that of France." And as to our armies, what
chance have they against " a million of young Frenchmen,
who throw their impa►ient eyes upon the vast field of
battle," where glory awaits them as a matter of course.
But " there is in France," says this Statesman, " a super-
abundant population, which it is more difficult to restrain
than to let loose," not for the honour of France, we pre-
sume, but to regain "what France has lost." This is
speaking out in a high strain;- but one who can speak
thus should not take such umbrage at Mr. CANNING'S
speech. Much should be allowed for the freedom of de-
bate—much more for the indignant spirit of an eloquent
speaker, naturally roused while denouncing the perfidious
conduct of Spain—that Spain which owes so much to the
mercy, and more to the generous valour of England. But
let these ultra Royalists boast, they cannot raise our
opinion of France. They may talk of the integrity of
nations, and remember the invasion of Spain—they may
speak of letting people enjoy their own Constitu-
tions, and think of this crusade against the liberties
of Portugal—they may preach about virtuous feeling
—sublime patriotism, and look at Ferdinand' of Spain—
they may vaunt of national honour, and glance at the occu-
pation of Cadiz—they may invoke the shades of depart-
ed worthies, and think of TtIEGO, and the victims to
priestly hatethey may exult in the destinies of the great
nation, and her chivalrous warriors, hut let- them not hope
that the energies of England are less mighty, because they
fancy those of France greater. Let them 'not sup-
pose that we are divided by dissension, and therefore
weak—some popular bursts .cf feeling, like the murmuring
waves against the stedfast rock, only confirm England's
strength the tnore., But .we do not wish for war—the sen-
sible portion (by far the greater) of the French nation,
her King and most enlightened,Ministers, unite with us
in feeling . that peace .is the common interest of
mankind. But should unfortunately the trump of
war be sounded, we need not fear. We need not boast
our triumphs—they are recorded in our annals
;
we need not recount the glories of our armies—they are
fresh in the recollection of our foes ;--we need not blazon
the deeds of our navy, they are attested by the shadows of
their greatness, reposing on the ruins of rival fleets, till our
gallant seamen, like ALEXANDER, weep over the excess of
their heroism, that there are no more navies to conquer.
Let others.boast the success of their treachery—the fruits
of broken faith, and the triumph of crooked policy; but
let it be England's pride, like the lordly Lion in the desert
—that her path is clear and straightforward, because no
rival dare dispute her course—that where she has pitched
her camp, there is security, because she has nothing to
fear. The banner of England waves over the home of the
free—the lustre of her sword is dimmed, not ,tarnished
by the blood of the oppressor, and its repose is sacred, be-
cause its vengeance is almighty.