The Sun.
London, England, 1842-11-08 00:00:00

difference at the great struggles which the Suf-
fragists, the Socialists, the Free-traders, the
Chartists, the bulk of the people, under different
denominations, are making to improve their social
condition.

We may be asked what would we have the
Whigs do? We will answer. They were de-
eated on a series of measures which they said,

in 1841, and their partisans say now, would have
sustained the revenue, and prevented the irn-

position of an Income-tax. The measures of
their opponents are decided failures, and the
Tories are becoming unpopular with all classes.
Now is the time, then, if the Whig measures
would have been so beneficial—if those who pro-

posed them, being the Ministers, and a great
political party, have still faith in their own wis-
dom, for them to call public meetings, and pro-
voke, as the Chartists with their small means
are doing, a serious public discussion on their old
policy. Let them, if they have faith in it, at
once declare that it shall be the basis of their
operations in the ensuing Parliamentary cam-
paign. Let them write pamphlets and articles
in newspapers, which is more worthy of them as
statesmen than writing ballads about the Ro..
man Mythe, and let them at once appeal to the
country for support, on the ground that their
measures would save and serve it. They have
money to spare for such objects, and, if they
win, they will be rewarded by large salaries and
patronage. Not one public meeting, however,
have they convened—not one public demonstra-
tion have they attempted. Nor will they do
anything of the kind. In fact, they have no
faith in their own policy. They know that it is
quite inadequate to the exigencies of the coun-
try ; and they know, moreover, that it would ob-
tain no support from auy class. If the Whigs,
then, cannot possibly rally the public round the
standard of their past measures, what are they
to do still to remain leaders of the people ?
They must frame a new system of policy.
They must be aware that their old scheme failed,
and they must give it up. What that sys-
tem should be is for them to consider. To
frame it is their business, not ours. They know
the diseased condition of the country, and they
ought to know what will cure it. How to pro-
mote the national happiness has, we suppose,
been the study of their lives, and, having framed
such a scheme of policy, they ought to bring it
before the public. In the present state of the
representation, the influence of public opinion
over a sitting and septennial Parliament is very
great, and if the Whigs wish to obtain power
they must begin by gaining public opinion. It
is now their business, therefore, as their oppo-
nents have failed, to lay before the public a large
and comprehensive scheme of policy which shall
be superior to that of the Tories—which shall
give us reform and keep away revolution ;
which shall restore prosperity and contentment ;
which shall shadow forth at least the principles
if not the details of measures, which shall gradu-
ally, through a course of years, bring and keep
our institutions in harmony with the continued
progress of society. A few fine phrases about
free trade, such as Lord PALMERSTON sported
and Mr. MACAULAY hammered out, will not
satisfy the yearnings of the nation. They will
cure no poverty, and lessen no discontent. The
nation requires a well defined scheme of policy,
which shall be as its guiding pillar of flame
for years to come. If the Whigs cannot
or will not lay down such a scheme, and will not
appeal to the public to rally round it, what claim
can they possibly have to the character of leaders
of the nation ?
If they will not or cannot do this, with what
right can they or their organs complain of pub-
lic men being distrusted? Why should the peo-
ple trust those who have deceived them, and
who do not now show them the way out of their
difficulties? Whigs and Tories have all promised
us prosperity and• peace, and they have all de-
ceived us. The people will put faith in men no
more, whatever they might do in well defined
measures. Let the Whigs show us how we may
hope to prevent revolution and secure the pro-
gress of civilisation—how we can give perfect
freedom to industry with the least possible in-
jury to monopolists—how punishments can be
made to prevent crime without being murderous
to the criminal—how the lower classes may be
elevated and ennobled without the higher classes
being depressed—how religion may be promoted
and priestly arrogance held in check—in fine)
how all, having one common interest,
may be made freer, wiser, better, and hap-
pier than we now are, and the ND hio.s
will soon rally round such a standard the
bulk of those who now aspire after improve-
ment by isolated or conflicting efforts. If the
Whigs can sketch no such system of policy,
and want ability to make it the common creed
of all reflecting men, what right have they, we
ask again, to put themselves up for national lead-
ers, or pout and sulk because their mere exclu-
sion from ofikee is not considered a recommenda-
ion to unbounded popularity ?