Star.
London, England, 1831-03-08 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE JOURN.ILS._

Times.—We ate in a position front which we hardly know how to
relieve ourselves. Our tables are crowded—are loaded—with notices
of meetings, petitions, resolutions, addresses, in support of the Bill for
a Ilefonn of Parliament. We could not have conceived it possible that
such a vit:miens of public will could have been hitherto compressed.
'But
no all England is in motion ; and most happy we think it,
that it is for a definite and precise object that the nation is thus in
action. Nay, what do we talk of meetings and addresses ?
Canvasses, on the one hand, are already begun for the places now
to be represented • and the, patrons of boroughs, who have foully lived
by the periodical ;ale of this illegal article of traffie, are beginning to
curtail their expenses. Our advice to the people of England is—
" MILDLY, but rtastLy." The reform is sure ! Reason, common
sense, justice, and prudence also, support the measure; and against
these what forces can be put in array ? Simply one—corruption !
This is to thrive, whatever rights be violated—whatever principles
be overturned. No, no • this will never do ! The rotten boroughs
are for ever cast out of ;he Constitution; and as to the subsequent
parts of the measure, we know not, we repeat, to whom the elective
franchise can with more security be extended, than to that great mass
of people who are not mere servants, but persons having property to
defend, and an interest in the preservation of tranquillity.
CHaoiritiz.—The union of the people will prevent all necessity of
bloodshed ; for though, according to Colonel Jones (at the Mary-la.
bonne meeting yesterday), some of the Boroughmongery openly declare
they will fight sooner than give up their usurpations, we do not exactly
see bow a -handful of individuals, however brave, can fight against
an united nation. A book was once written to prove that a
general could not gain a battle without the aid of soldiers ;
but it is hardly necessary now to prove that Borouglimon-
gem derive all their power from the people. and that of them.
selves they are nothing. The people, however. sensible of the
value of order and tranquility, knowing that it was declared in the out-
set by his Majesty's ministers that the time was now come when it was
necessary to choose between Reform and Revolution, many will be ex-
cused for the indignation they feel at attempts to deprive them of the for.
tner, and to precipitate them on the latter. We know that a little
before the present Ministry took office, it was declared in a company of
Tory Members of Parliament, that it would be necessary to plunge the
country into a war, to escape from Reform. No wonder that the people
should wish to see an end put to a state of things which gives power to
men who are so strongly tempted to abuse it to the ruin of the
country.
Tines.—Some converaation having arisen last night on the pro.
posed reduction of the tax on Newspapers and Advertisements, in
which it was indicated that the proprietors of Newspapers felt no gra-
titude for the boon tendered to them by the EHANCELLOs of
the EXCHEQUER, we beg to state that we are of course scn.
sible of any reduction in etiher branch—on the stamp, or on
advertisements; but that the latter is rendered less available, from
the inconvenience which two different duties will engender. The noble
Chancellor of the Exchequer would charge advertisements under ten
lines, Is ; and above, 2s. 6d. Now it is impossible to tell a customer
with any certainty, in the majority of instances, how many lines his
advertisement will occupy • and, in doubtful cases, the printer, to pro.
tect himself, must charge die higher duty. This will lead to continual
squabbles, and the perplexity will hardly be compensated by the relief
afforded. His Lordship's best course will be, to make a fixed duty.
With regard to the reduced stamp on newspapers, proposed in his
speech, we think It will be beneficial to the public, and not detrimental
to the revenue.

rCHROXicLc—On Lord Althorp's declaring that he intended to pro.
pose that the second reading of the reform bill should take place on
next Monday se`nnight, the Marquis of Chandos said, if the noble lord
persisted in putting off the second reading to so long a period, he should
take that course which, at a Member of Parliament, he had a tight to
do. On Lord Ebrington asking what that course was, the noble marquis
arswered, that if the 2d reading of the bill was delayed longer than that
day week, he should, when the Mutiny Bill and Supplies were brought
forward, use that privilege which he had the power of doing. On this Sir
James Graham observed. " I think, Sir, that after the threat of the
Noble Nlarquls, I cannot do better than avail myself of the present op-
portunity of moving the third reading of the Mutiny Bill—(continued
cheering)." However it was agreed to postpone the third reading to
this day. This is indeed attempting to carry matters with a high hand.
So, because the Noble Marquis cannot be indulged in every wish, the
army is to be taken from the King ! What will follow ?—All this will
only strengthen the determination of the people to proceed in such a
manner as to prevent this faction from doing mischief. There is evi-
dently no disinclination in some quarters to hazard the peace of' the
country.
HERALD.—Thank GOD ! we are a more phlegmatic, or, rather. a
more staid people than our neighbours. We know and fee\ that the
band of cavaliers is but small, and we do not pay them the compliment
of saying
Exigui numero zed hello vivide virtue.
Ir is only within the last few weeks of restored internal tranquillity
that the fire of their daring has blazed forth. The successful firmness
of Ministers, in applying the strong arm of the law, to put down the
incendiaries of agricultural stock and produce, has emboldened
the ill-advised Owners of Boroughs, and their Nominees, to
treat the People of England with the greatest contempt.—
The opinion which the opponents of reform entertain of the moral and
intellectual condition of the people of England would lead us to doubt
whether they could own a common country—
" That Chatham's language was their mother tongue,
Or Wolfe's great name compatriot with their own.
For what is their assertion (we cannot call it argument)? " Extend the
elective franchise, and make it independent of individual authority and
illegal purchase—place it in the hands of a numerous body of small
proprietors, and such is the ignorance, such the malignity, and such the
madness of the English nation, that the House of Commons must be-
come the laughing stock of Europe, from the Members being selected