The Sun.
London, England, 1842-07-23 00:00:00

L4tl ,Atn.

LONDON :
SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 23, 1842.

Early last evening, on the motion for a Committee
of Supply, Mr. M. GIBSON moved, as an amendment,
that the House resolve itself into a Committee to in-
quire into the public distress, and supported his mo-
tion by a speech distinguished by ability and a con-
siderable number of new and startling facts. He
was followed by Mr. Humn and several gen-
tlemen on the same side, and to twelve o'clock
no person on the Ministerial side spoke
on this most interesting and important ques-
tion, but Sir CHARLES BITRRELL. At twelve o'clock,
therefore, Mr. ConnEs moved that the debate be ad-
journed ; the House divided, and the adjournment was
negatived by 188 to 33. Mr. HINDLEY, on the ques-
tion being again put, moved that the House do ad-
journ, and complained of the disrespect shown by
Sir ROBERT PEEL and the Ministers to the
country. Mr. EWART and Mr. HAwEs, on the
Liberal side, recommended the withdrawal of the
motion for adjournment, and the latter gentleman said
he could be no party to opposing the declared will of
the majority. Mr. FIELDEN, however, in a speech
distinguished for its plain good sense,' and not unen-
livened by wit, boldly stated that the Government
ought to be obstructed ; that it was only taxing and
robbing the people ; and he asked what did Govern-
ment exist for P Nobody could give him any answer
In the House of Commons the whole Government
was branded as a useless plunderer of the people,
which ought to be obstructed, and no person gain-
said the important and homely remark. Finally,
Mr. HINDLEr withdrew his amendment, and Mr.
COBDEN made an excellent speech in favour of Mr.
GIBSON'S motion, mentioning the recent conduct
of the French and American Governments as new
facts, which changed the whole aspect of affairs,'
awl required from us a prompt and a new policy.
At a late hour Mr. COBDEN, who spoke under,
many disadvantages, was listened to with much atten-
tion, though not a few of the gentlemen, who after-
wards decided not to inquire into the public distress,
preferred sleep to the information he gave them. The
country, however, will judge the House of Commons
and the Government as they deserve, and the bodies,
which, as Mr. FIELDEN said, can only plunder and
only tax the people, and can give them neither em-
ployment, relief, nor food, will be assuredly despised
and contemned, and in the end cast aside as worth-
less. The house of Commons, by the direction of
Sir ROBERT PEEL, decided that it would not inquire
into the public distress, and that it will continue to
tax and starve the people.

Though there can be no doubt that allowing the
corn which is now in bond to be taken into consump-
tion free of duty, would be a great temporary relief,
it should not be, in our opinion, except as a step to-
wards the abolition of the Corn-laws, vehemently
urged or strenuously recommended. Not only pre-
sent and immediate relief is needed, but permanent
improvement. We not only require abundance now,
but to be secured abundance hereafter. Present
alms may save a man from destruction, but per.
manent independence can alone make him free and
happy. Admitting the corn in bond for consumption
free of duty will not extend nor continue our trade
with the United States ; it will not immediately en-
large
our market, nor provide for its continued ex-
tension.
What we want is a present and an ever-
growing market; which can only be secured by per-
manent free trade. . •
We are inclined also to think that the free admission
of the foreign corn now in bond, by affording a tem-
porary relief, might fix the disease on the system.
It would skin over a foul ulcer, wad make it