Star.
London, England, 1831-03-18 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE JOURNALS.

Tiara.—Though the party for internal order and external peace,
seems now to have got the ascendancy in the King's councils, there
appears rather to be an increase than an abatement of this disaffected,
revolutionary, and warlike spirit. On pretence that the constituted au-
thorities of the country, and the powers of the general Government are
not directed with sufficient seal or energy to maintain the national sove-
reignty of July, or to repel foreign aggression, an association has been
formed to resist the Bourbons and the stranger. The members of
this society give their names, and 2d • month to insure the inde-
pendence of France, and the perpetual exclusion of the fallen dynasty !
In addition to this liberal subscription they pledge their lives and
honour in the same glorious cause. But though the apparent means
may be insignificant--even including the life and honour of the sub-
scribers—for the great end proposed, the association, as • focus of po-
litical agitation, or as a kind of complemen tto the power of the ultra.
liberal press, must be of extreme importance. The class of' persons who
will enter it, the increased impulse which it will give to ultra-liberal
projects in the capital, and the dangerous action which it will exert,
by affiliated coteries, all over France may; be inferred from the
places to which the subscribers are invited to send their signatures,
and the organs which they will be able to employ in disseminating their
principles. The offices of the Constieutionnel of the Cowries
Francais, of the National of the Journal du Commerce, and of the
Tribune, are fixed upon as the subscription-rooms for this new
universal club. The other ultra liberal journals will follow the ex-
ample. The muster-roll will become nearly co-extensive with the
number of readers whose passions are inflamed, or whose opinions
are directed by the liberal press ; circulars, addresses, and manifestoes,
will multiply and find a ready means of extensive propagation ; and in
a shot time, if the club is not checked at its commencement, it will
command public opinion, direct the electorial colleges, domineer
over the Chambers, and possess more power than the Legislature
and the Crown put together. As the first intimation of this in-
tended soeiety appeared only in the papers of Tuesday, which
arrived last night, we do not know how the proposal will be
fie:iced by the public, or be treated by the government. Its objects
being legal and laudable, it is only the probable perversion of its power
that can excite alarm or justify interference. Journalism was considered
under the Villele and Polignac ministry as a new species of government,
or rather as an antagonist authority in the state, and, following out the
same idea, we may say that this universal club will compose the army
of the new sovereignty. It is easy to see that it will be directed, in the
first instance, against the Perier Cabinet, just formed. This Cabinet
is already branded with disgrace by the ultra-liberal press. We
have not witnessed such an unanimous chorus of condemnation
of any political change since the appointment of the Polignaz
ministry on the Bth of August, 1829, as that which has wel-
csmed M. Cassimir Perier and his Mends to office. The Constitution.
reel " hints at faults, and hesitates dislikes ;" the Cotrrrier Francais
boldly announces its distrust and aversion ; the Journal du Commerce
declares open hostilities ; and the Revolution, the Tribune, the Na-
tional, and the Globe, foam with absolute rage. 31. Cassimir Periet is
calumniated as the friend of the fallen dynasty, and the enemy of the
late revolution. Baron Louis supplies as many weepons against himself
as he has exhibited inconsistencies in politics. M. d'Argout is denounced
as the negotiator between Charles X. and the Hotel de Ville • Al. Sebes-
tiani is declared as the enemy of liberty, because he has refused to declare
sar against Russia on account of the invasion of Poland ; and Admiral
(le Rigny is only pardoned for becoming Minister of Marine on account
of the laurels of Navarino. We are not addicted to political prophecy,
bat, atom a knowledge of the power of the French press, and the re-
collection of the causes which have within the last few years given so
many changes of ministry to France, we should predict, that the
Ilea Cabinet will even be more short lived than the last, unless it
changes its principles, and yields to the popular current. In order to
put its system to the test, it will be immediately called upon to decide
on the affairs of Italy. The notices in the German papers leave little
doubt that Austrian troops have already passed the Milanese frontier,
and have entered the duchy of Modena.

Posv.—The efforts made by our Revolutionary Government to de-
cit e the public, both with respect to the sentiments of the king and
the great majority of the Members of the House of Commons, on the
-uhjsct of Reform, are unceasing. They tend, however, to prove the
alarm of the Government rather than their confidence of success. It is
perfectly well ascertained that his Majesty has given his consent to the
measures of the Ministers with reluctance, and that in his family circle
his apprehensions of the result have been stated without disguise.
The efforts of the Courier last night to make the public believe
that the mcetiug at Lord Althorp's house was most numerously at-
tended ate made in the same spirit of delusion. We ran state that the
numbers did not exceed 180—a small number compared with the Mem-
Lees of the whole House ; and we are well assured that very great doubt
wu expressed as to the result of the division on the second reading of
the Itetorm Bill. We hare no doubt ; and we have the most sanguine
expectations of being able, before this day week, of congratulating the
country upon the defeat of this iniquitous and revolutionary measure.
HERALD —There was • numerous meeting yesterday at the Chan-
i:hor of the Exchequer's, in Downing.street, of Members of the
House of Commons friendly to the plan of reform brought forward
by Lord John Russell. Lord Althorp stated that his object in re.
prating their attendance was, to request thit they, as friends of the
eleasure, would, out of the house, make known to his Majesty's
Government, through himself Lord John Russell, or any Cabinet
Minister, their views as to any modifications iu the details, com-
patible with the strict maintenance of the principle of the Bill,
of which they might think it susceptible. Lord Althorp further
rointed out the danger that the whole measure might run of being de-
teatlxl, if the friends of the measure were to bring forward alterations in
,letail, while the opponents were contending against the principle itself;
the other hand, that, by private communication, every reasonable
modification might receive consideration, without disturbing that unani-
tr•ny in the Ilnuse, both at the second reading and when the bill was
Committee, which could alone ensure triumphant success. The feel-
•ne among the members present at the meeting was unanimous in adopt-
•-i; the view taken by Lord Althorp;more than one declared hisdetermina-
.'"nto support the whole measure,rather than press modifications tricorn-
7'atihle with the principle, although, by so doing, they might incur the
• of displeasing constituents before whom they should have again
•1 offer themselves. One country member declared that, so convinced
A as he of the necessity of supporting ministers in this great and patriotic
eAsure, that he should, for the first time, act with the thoroughgoing
,cal of a party man. Lord Althorp expressed his confidence in the
lasing of the bill, and, in reply to an enquiry as to the day of its being
ommitted, said that, reference being had to the importance of the men-
...re, he did not think that an earlier day than the tint open day after
Eatter recess could possibly be fixed.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, MAUCH 17.
The LORD CH ANCELLOR this day gave judgment, confirming
the decision of the Court of Session, which disfranchised the borough of
Dundee, thereby proving the necessity for the committee in the House
of Compton* to sit on Tuesday next, upon a petition spinet the return
of the Lord Advocate.

The Earl of RADNOR presented a petition from the West Riding
work, for Parliamentary Reform. Also a petition to the same effect
Rarnsgate.
Lord CALTHORPR presented a petition from Bristol, for revision
of the powers given to the commissioners under the church building act.
The Bishop of BRISTOL and Lord KENYON defended the pro-
ceedings of the said commissioners.
The Marquis of Lt)NDONDERRY presented a petition from the
Chamber of Commerce of Londonderry, complaining of a gross misap-
plication of certain funds in the hands of the corporation of London-
The noble marquis thought the subject more lit for the consi.
deration of the government of Ireland than that house, but presented
the petition because it was respectfully worded.

BREACH OP PRIVILEGE.
On the motion of Earl GREY, Lieut. Thomas Woodcot was called
to the Bar, pursuant to an order of the House, to answer for a breach
of privilege in sending a letter to a noble lord (Farnham) complaining
of something said by that noble lord in the discharge of his Parlia.
mentary duty.
Mr. Woodcott acknowledged himself to be the author of the letter,
which was read to the House.
The writer complained that the Noble Lord, in a speech made the
21st of February, in the House of Lords, had said that an half pay
officer of the 4th Dragoons, meaning the writer, had been active in
promoting disturbance in Ireland on the subject of tithes. So far from
instigating persons to commit excesses, he had been active in prevent-
ing disturbance, and he therefor: charged the Nobl: bond with uttering
calumny.
The LORD CHANCELLOR asked whether the person at the
bar had any thing to say in justification, or any contrition to express.
Mr. Woodcott.—l cannot justly the act, because it admits of no
justification. It was written In the moment of irritation, and I have
since apologised to the noble loql.
He was then ordered to withdraw.

Lord FARNHAM said, so far as he was concerned, he was satisfied
with the apology. With respect to their lordships• privileges they, were
in their own hands.

Earl OREY propoaed to follow the precedent found in the case of
Messrs. Ross and Ashwood, called to their bar under similar circum-
stances, in 1812. The house in that instance declared sending of a
letter to be a breach of privilege, and upon the parties expressing their
sorrow for the offence they were reprimanded and discharged.
The question having been put for following the said precedent, the
house agreed to take the same course.
The letter sent by Lieutenant Woodcot was declared to be a breach
of the privileges of that house, and Lieutenant Woodcot was called
again to the bar to receive a reprimand.
The LORD CHANCELLOR, in suitable terms, informed 11r.
Woodcot that his letter to the noble lord, as a Peer of Perlis-
ment, was a breach of privilege. The privileges of parlia-
ment were justified by the constitution, and were intended for the
benefit of the people. They were not more the privileges of parliament
than the privileges of the subjects of the realm ; and if the noble lord
to whom the letter was addressed had failed to take notice of it, he would
not have discharged his duty to that b-anch of the constitution of
which he was a member. That house, e >midterm that no attempt had
been made to justify the circlet, and that Lieutenant Woodeot had in.
tuned expense in coming front Ireland, had been satisfied with ordering
him to be reprimanded and discharged from further attendance.
Mr. Woodcot then withdrew.