The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-06 00:00:00

11.1
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LONDON!
FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 6, 1842.

Mr. lioEnucit last night gave notice, and, in giving
it, was loudly cheered by both sides, that he would
ask this evening, Lord CHELSEA, Mr. ltussELL, Captain
PLCIIIRIDGE, Sir J. C. ilosHousE, Sir G. H. DE LAE-
PE:s:T, Mr. ELPHINSTONE, Mr. JOHN ATTWOOD, and
Major BEIIF.SFORD, if any one of them was cognisant of,
or a party to, any arrangement by which he is to vacate
his scat, notwithstanding a Committee has declared him
duly elected. The lion. Member is also to move for a
Select Committee to inquire whether certain parties con-
nected with the trial of election petitions have not been
guilty of a breach of the privileges of the House. We
regard this as a spirited, a proper, and an independent,
though, perhaps, not a delicate proceeding, and we have
no doubt that Mr. ROEBUCK will make out such a case
as %lin astonish the public.
He will show, if we are not misinformed, that in nu-
merous cases the judgments of the Committees, though
according to the evidence brought before them, have
been dictated by the parties to the contest, settling
amongst themselves who shall have the seats. He will
show that gentlemen have entered into bargains to retire
from the House after short periods, to make way for their
opponents, and if he can get at the facts he will probably
prove that in these cases money to pay costs has been an
ingredient of the corrupt bartering. We earnestly hope

- -
that the Hon. Member will unveil the whole of the
roguery, and place the legislation of this empire before
the public in its proper character. What that is, it may
not be prudent for us to say; but Mr. ROEBUCK'S motion
properly carried out, will.prove whether it deserve the
public confidence, or whether it be as corrupt a body as
ever presumed to usurp the great and solemn function
of Jaw-making.

We will say no more, preferring to wait till Mr. ROE-
has stated the facts in the House of Commons ;
we shall merely observe that the mode of leading evi-
dence, by which the Committee is compelled to come to
any decision on which the parties have agreed, will not
be remedied by any other mode of forming Election
Committees. Against this species of corruption even
Mr. O'CONNELL'S plan to make the Judges of Westmin-
ster Hall the Presidents of the Committees, would be of
no avail. They could only decide according to the evi-
dence, and the parties would place before them such
evidence as would produce the decision they 'wished.
An officer appointed by the House of Commons to carry
on the proceedings and arrange the evidence, indepen-
dently of the parties, will be required to give efficacy
to the scheme. The electors may, in some degree, pro-
'Wet themselves, by invariably defeating the objects pro-
posed by those who enter into such compromises.

A great Whig-Tory, or Tory-Whig philosopher, we

know not which, has found out that the people are not
to be entrusted with political power, because " they
think in herds." The argument seems applied on the old
principle, that any stick is good enough to beat a dog ;
the people are to be denied political power at all hazards,
and any kind of argument will bolster up the foregone
conclusion. One more inappropriate, and, at the same
time, more correct in statement, is difficult to find.

Individuals of the lower classes, middle classes,
up-
per classes—the clergy, the military, the navy—men of
different trades, do think alike or in herds, and so thinking,
each class follows some corresponding line of action, and is,
by its thoughts and conduct, separated and distinguished
from every other class. To. think in herds, therefore, is
common to all mankind, and to draw an inference from that
against intrus Ling some portion of them with political
power, is like dooming them to exclusion because they
have two hands and two legs, which they do not use in
precisely the same manner as the aristocracy use their

hands and legs.
What, too, is the process of thinking, that it should
be made, as it were, a matter of reproach to the lo er
classes that.they follow it in herds? In all cases, thinking
is tt,e result of the action of the external world on
man. The test of truth is always an outward and ma-
terial otject. That is the link between all minds, and
there is no other. We cannot see each others thoughts,
but we each suggest. something to the minds of others,
by referring to the universal external standard. The
most profound philosopher—a. BACON or a NEWTON, and
the humblest workman, equally appeal to some external
fact, in the last resort, as the test of the accuracy
or truth of the thoughts he communicates to
others. If the standard and source of the thoughts
of all men be one type common to all,
though it affects individuals differently, men not
only must think in herds, but in proportion as they
all agree, so will their thoughts be accurate. Not
to think in herds, is to be a crotchety person, a person
destitute of common sense, a madman; whence it follows,
on the sublime theory of the Tory-Whig writer, that
only the crotchety or the insane are qualified to form
the constituency and the Legislature.

The same fact is true of the passions. Men pursua

the same objects, as well as think in herds. To say
nothing of the common appetites, which we all share and
seek to gratify much after the same manner, the pur-
suit of wealth, of political power, or ambition is a very
gregarious propensity. But far from looking at the
universal truth, that men think and act in herds, as a
reason for excluding any portion of the people front po-
litical power, it seems to us the very element of political
stability. It is because people do think in herds, because
one generation hands down its trains of thought to
another, and because peculiar trains of thought are
common to the bulk of the English, the French, or any
other people, that the national existence of each, and
the national institutions of each, are maintained separa to
and independent.
That the multitude may, in so thinking, follow one
mind, is a true, but not a disabling fact. Every truth
dawns first on some individual mind, and the multitude
are no more to be censured for following Mr. FEARGUS
O'CONNOR, if he expound political truth, than for follow-
ing NEWTON after he had expounded the principle of
gravity.
The great object of politics should be to guide and
govern society at every moment by the sum of ALL THE
KNOWLEDGE extant—an end which can never be reached
by excluding from all power, as far as the Constitution
and the law can exclude them, five-sixths of the mature
males in existence.

It is customary, we allow, for certain classes to assume
that their peculiar knowledge should alone be the guide
of society. They call themselves the authors or heralds
of civilization. We differ from them. The civilization
of society in one age does not take its hue from the poli-
tical or religious leaders of the preceding age. WAL-
POLE, CHATHAM, NORTH, and Fox, had little or nothing
to do with the invention of the steam-engine, and the
development of that manufacturing system which is
the peculiar feature of the civilisation of this age. It
was not by the will of the priesthood, prior to 1780,
that Dissent has become formidable.

Thus, we take leave to say that the political leaders
leave little or no impression on the civilization of the
next age. It is not their peculiar knowledge, but the
general knowledge of their age, which is the parent of
the civilization of the next age. It ought also to be the
guide of the national policy, which it never can be, as
long as the bulk of the nation is excluded, by the vain
and selfish few, from all direct and immediate control
over the Legislature.

Ample details of the news brought by the over-land
mail from India and China will be found in another part
of The Sun. We have perused all the accounts which
have yet come to hand, with attention, and it affords us
pleasure to have to repeat what we stated in our edition of
this morning, as to their being more favourable than, under
all the circumstances, we were warranted in expecting.
The Caubul massacre was nut quite so conclusive as Dr.
BRYDON reported it. There is no longer a doubt that
many officers and men escaped who were supposed to
have fallen, and such as were made prisoners by the
Affghans were kindly and humanely treated. We have
little doubt that hundreds will be be found to have escaped
who are now numbered with the dead. As we sus-
pected from the first the real traitor was the Shah
SooJan, who was jealous of British influence, and who
plotted their utter destruction. The discovery of the
Shah's treachery was made in a singular manner. The
inhabitants of Nissar, in Kohistan, have given shelter to
the Caubul rebels, and refused tribute to the Shah ; the
British Envoy sent a message to their chiefs, threatening
them with destruction unless they submitted to the Royal
authority. They, in answer, enclosed to him private
letters from the Shah, of undoubted authenticity, in
which the King informed them that he detested the
English infidels, and that he only awaited the ar-
rival of the Royal family at Loodiana, to destroy
them, or drive them out of his country. He- also
sent the Chaoos Basha, an officer of his Court,
to Candahar, to advise the chiefs there to fall
upon the English and destroy them. This fact was
authenticated by Major RAWLINSON, the political chief,
and directly communicated to Sir WILLIAiu M‘NAGH-
TEN. The SHAH of course denied everything, and the
Envoy was weak enough to believe him, although the
Shah's seal was affixed to letters before him, and his
very Ministers dared not pronounce them forgeries,
against the testimony of so many chiefs. This fatal
credulity cost the Envoy his life, and Great Britain the
loss of an army. There is little doubt, however, that
the summer campaign will reverse all our misfortunes,in
Affghanistan.

We have nothing to acid today to the opinion already
expressed of the news from China. So far as yet
developed, we cordially approve of Sir H. POTTINGER'S
policy.

There is no news of the slightest interest in the
French rapers, save the little contained in the subjoined
extracts :

The Moniteur of the 3d publishes :the remainder of the
Addresses made to tha King on the Ist of May, and his Ma-
jesty's answers. _ . . _ _

The official journal does not publish this morning his Ma-
jesty's answer to the speech of the Archbishop of Paris.
The Memorial Bordelais of the Ist of May says—" The ac •
counts from Spain give reason to conjecture a speedy change in
the Cabinet.

" The Regent Espartero seems to be at present inclined to
this expedient, and does not wish to arouse political passions by
new elections. It it said that he has declared that he intends
to letthis legislation sit its proper time.
" According to the Constitution the duration of the Cortes
is three years, and the present Chamber was elected in 1841. .
"It is said that the Government will be confided to M.
Olezaja, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and President of the
Council. This nomination would be more favourable to a good
understanding between Spain and France, than the present ad-
ministration of M. Gunzalez ; in this case M. Costina would
have the department of the Interior.— Constitutionnel.
M. Briten, of Nantes, asked the following question, to which,
probably no answer will be given :—" Why is the produce of
the English Newfoundland fishing admitted into our Colonies,
while the produce of the French fisheries is prohibited in the
British possessions ?" Commerce.
BOUESE—PARIS, TUESDAY, MAY 3.

First Highest Lowest Last
Price Price. Prie.. Price.
French 5 per Cent 5........... 119 95 ... 120 ... 1.9 90 119 90
4% per Cents lO7 80 .. 107 80 ... 107 80 ... 107 110
4.per Cents. 102 15 ... 102 15 ... 102 15 ... 102 15
S per Cents Bl 95 ....' 82 10 ... 81 95 ... 62 5
Loan
Rank of nance ?.%5 ...?:.915 —3365 —3305
Lattitte bank 1,0001. Shares 1037 se ...1040 ...1037 50 —lO4O
5,000 f. St.arcs 5052 50 ...5052 50 —.50)2 5,1 ...SOY? 51)
Selaian Bank
_ _ _ _

11111
Belgian 5 per Cents.
a i..r Cent:., 1840 10556 ... 105% ... 105% .. 105%
,psnish Ac,,ve 26 ... S 6 ... 25% ... 25%
Passive 4X ... 4% ... 4A, ... 4%
Portuguese 5 per Cents. l'2)4 ... fiN ... 3256 ... 32
Neapolitan
Roman

RAILWAY SHARER.
St. Germain . ....... ............. 842 50 ... 655 ... 812 50 ... 855

...
Vex' s'
L.B 2i.5 DI 50 ... 205 ... 207
ftwen ........ 560 .... 560 .... 557 50 •••
Orleans

St' asburg to Bale 235

... 2

... 233 ... 23.5

A FRAUDULENT LEGISLATURE:-011 April 5, Sir Ro-
bert Peel gava the definition of fraud—a " combination,
for the purpose of influencing the market."_ He was
speaking on the Corn-law averages, while he was carry-
ing a Bill, by a combination of nearly all the landlords
in Parliament, to influence the market. We appeal to
Sir Robert Peel, therefore, whether ours be not a frau-
dulent Legislature ?
Mr. Simpson, of Bucklersbury, as will be seed-from
the advertisements in The Sun of this day, has received
directions to sell some valuable estates in Ireland, as
well as in different parts of England. Some of these
have an annual rental of from 50eI. to 10,0001. a year ;
and, when Money is so plentiful, there is every probabi•
lity that there will be a keen competition for the pro-
perty. Mr. Simpson has long been employed as the
principal agent for the sale of Irish estates ; and from
the faithful description which he generally gives of their
value, his estimates have been received with implicit
confidence. Gentlemen who wish to purchase can judge
for themselves ; and will, therefore, naturally consult
their own interest, by making personal inquiry of Mr.
Simpson, who will give them every information.
The Non-Intrusion Bill, which has been postponed for
six weeks, will no doubt form an important subject of
debate in the next General Assembly, which meets
on the 19th instant. The majority in the Scotch
Church have become alarmed, and some of their
leaders, in consequence, have entered into a com-
munication with the Government, as they evidently have
no hopes from any other quarter. It will certainly be a
singular result if, after all their noise and fury, they ac-
cept Lord Aberdeen's Bill, which they denounced as a
wicked attempt to dethrone the Head of the Church.
The following was posted at Lloyd's yesterday :—" A
communication has been received id Liverpool from the
Neapolitan authorities in London, requesting the Consul
there to caution the Captains of Neapolitan vessels
against the pending danger of reprisals, in consequence
of disputes that have arisen between the Neapolitan and
Dutch Governments."

CORN AVERA GEN
GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN,
Fort the Weelt ended April 29, IS-12, made up from the Ileturcs f
the Inspectorsin the uifferent Cities and Towns in Englan•t and
Wales, per Imperial Quarter.

Wheat 6ls. Od. [Oats
Barlev 271 7.i. Rye

AVERAGES OF THE LAST SIX WEEKS.

Week ending WHEAT. BARLEY.! OATS. 1 RYE. BEANS. MASK.
...-.--...—..-- .--.--- ....-- I
Mar. 25 56 4 b... 6 6 17 4 33 4 s 9 9 22 0
April 1
8 53 2 16 2 19 11 33 10 ;20 7 19 4
15
'22
29.., 6l :0' 27 6 19 1j 31 71 31 6I 3i I
IMPERIAL AGORROATZ AVEItACPs OF THE SIX WFi.K
Wheat......... 595. 3d. I Oats ......... 18c. 9.1.1 Beans.... .. ... :'11,:- s'.
Bade!.
20. gd, 1 Rye ..,...... 35.1Cd.1 Pease. .... ....305.10d
DUTISS ON FOREIGN CORN.
Wheat l3s. Od. I Oats
Barley los. WI. I 21. Ye

TILE A RKETS=-YESTERDAY.
COLONIAL MARKET.
There was little business transacted. Holders were firm,
and refrained from pressing much produce for sale. The im-
ports have commenced to come in more freely from all quarters.
Raw Sugar scarce and wanted, and prices rule high. -R kJe less
in request, but prices keep up. Saltpetre in good demand at
265. to 295. per cwt.
TEA MARKET.
The market was dull, and few purchases were made. Is.
914 d. was the nearest price of Company's Congou cash.