The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-01-03 00:00:00

TO PROPRIETORS OF NEWSPAPERS.

A GENTLEMAN, .mversaut wiicil;LliWW);nd Me-
rl ehauical Management of Newspapers, and who has had
many years' experience in Editing or Reporting for some of
the most ,respectable and influential journals in the United
Kingdom,: is-. anxious, to form an Engagement with the Pro-
prietor of sonic Provincial Paper of sound Protestant and
Conservative • principles, as 'EDITOR, or • ASSISTANT
EDITOR and REPORTER.: • 7 .•
• -
Satisfactory references will be given, and all communica-
tions addressed, to \V., R.-13.• Standard Office, Liverpool,
immediately attended .to,-,;

Zillerpoot &"tanbarb.

FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 3, 1840.

. ,
We.,have entered upon another year since the date of
our last publication. It now. becomes us to take a
s,;glance at ,
tne present position of our country and
ualts future prospects. We have had several years of
,„,,Whig rule, and we have seen its ruinous effects upon
Our social condition, our national institutions, and
:..;; our trade and commerce. The leaven of reform has

been a long time at work, and the result has been
the bitterness of disappointment. Liberal principles
.. have had their full sway for some time, and they
''''have issued in nothing but calamity. Have we any
reason to hope for a salutary change in the affairs of
this nation ? This is a momentous question, involv-
ing not only the interests of the present generation,
but the happiness of unborn millions.
Among the most encouraging signs of the times we
reckon the growing unpopularity of the much-abused
term " reform." Those who looked forwards to the
ascendancy of liberalism in this country were wont
.to delude themselves with the hope that " reform"

'lO would prove a panacea for all the evils to which so-
dv•
Ciety has been so long subject, and that it would

elevate Great Britain into a position of unexampled
,„'''lptaSperity. These futile expectations have proved
;N-,as ‘` baseless as the fabric of a vision." The fond

hopes and the brilliant anticipations engendered by

the. mania of " reform" have vanished like a day-
,,Are.ain;_and
.now the term itself has become " a bye-
word, and a reproach." Reflecting men have disco-
•
, xered. that " reform," in the mouths of liberal agi-
-01 !Addis, 'is .but another name for revolution. Such
41Vr.• •
~,;00,ilfter yielding fora time to the popular impulse,
• 'have .felt•it necessary to make a stand in defence of
OU'r:time4everend constitution, which they now per-
ceive is the grand object of radical assault. Hence
have Spiting the numerous conversions to the ranks
of the Conservatives, among the most recent and most
conspicuous instances of which we have great pride
in enumerating hose of the Marquis of Wellesley,
Mr. Howard, and Sir George Cockburn. These,
however, are far from being solitary instances. The

progress of Conservative reaction is as universal as
it is deep and permanent in its nature. In every
• direction we see incontrovertible eyide.nce of this re_
. Every fresh election which takes place
affords additional and undeniable proofs of its ex-
istence. ,The town of Liverpool, at the last
muni-
nicipal'election, has afforded one of the most tri-

=pliant instances of this return to constitutional

~.opinions. A general election, whenever it may
"'happen, will demonstrate, more strongly than ever,
(Li
~,ibepredominance of Conservative principles. Even
"the Whig-Radicals themselves, through their lead-
!+ ing organs of the press, are constrained to acknow-
'''• ledge that another general election would prove a
....death-blow to all their hopes of future ascendancy,
The matter is too self-evident to admit of a mo-
ment's doubt. In England the Conservatives would
have an overwhelming inejority. In the counties, the
prOspects of the liberals are utterly desperate; whilst
• many of the close pocket-boroughs would be res-

cued from the degradation of having their represen-
tatives nominated by their Whig patrons. In Scot-
land the change is no less apparent. Radicalism is
there at a woful discount, and two-thirds, at least,
of the representatives for that country, at the next
election, will be Coniervatives. Wales is empliati-
:,Cally "all right," notwithstanding the recent Chartist
: ,:outbreak in the south. Even in Ireland O'Connell
and his tail are beginning tnquake. Their desperate
exertions in. the courts of 'registry indicate the con-
'-ei.o.*u4s of ' anticipated defeat. As far as the
with(qiis'eoncerned,, we may confidently assert that
the pear The Measure of -Whig-Radical
iniquity has been filled. The reign of the faction is

"' at an end:
e.44.Mlttie pausos.of.the Cnnseryative reaction now
'u°.:trilirdit46llll- Thig is easily disposed of.
19.
Tile -people of Great Britain have discovered that
the Whip are hollow pretenders to political wisdom,

and that 'all their measures are fraught with ruin to the
best interests of the country. The insolent and ty-
rannical career of those turbulent agitators who have
obtained a temporary ascendancy in our Town Coun-
cils has done much to open the eyes of the public to
the real character of those who have so impudently
arrogated to themselves the name of liberals. The
reckless proceedings of the traitorous Chartists, which
have afforded such a pregnant illustration of the
Wilma ratio of "reform," have also caused the ranks
of Conservatism to he crowded with converts. As
far as the counties are 'concerned, the anti-corn-law
agitators have decided the fate of every Whig-Radi-
cal candidate at the next eledion. In addition to
these causes, we might enumerate the general de-
pression under which the trade and commerce of the
country are labouring—tie misery and distress en-
dured by the working classes—the impunity' with
which foreign encroachments on our trade are per-
mitted to escape—and the general decline of our
colonial prosperity—all of which are attributable to
the miserable, truckling, and ruinous policy of the
present Government, and all of which contribute to
increase their unpopularity and to hasten their
downfall.

is not, however, to be expected that the Whigs will
quit office without a desperate 'struggle : but all their
efforts to retain place and power will be in vain.
may again prostitute the Queen's name as a
party watchword : but the trick is too stale to ren-
der them any service. It has been tried once too
often to succeed. The expedient is too transparently
dishonest any longer to deceive the public. They
may make common cause with the selfish agitators
of the anti-Corn-law league, and endeavour to work
upon the feelings of the masses by raising the cry
of " cheap bread." This will do them no good.
The people of England are too sensible not to per-
ceive that the cry of " cheap bred" is synonymous
With " low wages." It is even possible that the
Whig- Radicals, in their extremity, may identify
themselves with the Chartists : but, we would ask,
are they so mad as to suppose that the great mass
of the electors are favourable to the revolutionary
doctrines of Chartism ? An approximation to the
Chartists would only still more irrevocably seal their
fate.

When we say that the people of this country are dis-
gusted with the very name of " reform," we do not
wish to be understood that they are averse to such
temperate changes in our institutions as are calcu-
lated to insure their stability and their permanency.
The Conservatives are the only true reformers, as
they are the only real liberals. They would wish to
see removed from the glorious fabric of our consti-
tution those incrustations with which the lapse of
time may have caused it to be disfigured. They
would wish to see the splendid temple reared by the
wisdom of our forefathers stand forth in all its pris-
tine grandeur : but this is a very different thing

. - . i roni wishing to ran it to the very foundation, and

to erect upon its foundation the flimsy fabric of a
republic. The latter is tht, object contemplated by
what is designated " radical reform." Such reform
we are bound to denounce, and such reform the

patriotism of Englishmen will never permit to be
accomplished.
It is our firm conviction that the advent of Sir Robert
Peel to office would be the prelude to a succession
of useful, practical reforms, such as we have indi-
cated under the general term " improvements." He
has already signalised himself by the introduction of
several reforms in our criminal code, and he has
always evinced his readiness to co-operate in the
removal of all proved grievances and abuses.
But is Sir Robert Peel's speedy advent to power pro-
bable ? We unhesitatingly answer, Yes ! Owing
to the defections from the Ministerial camp, we
believe that Sir Robert Peel can command a nume-
rical majority even in the present House of Com-
mons—a majority which will be still further in-
creased by the nine elections which must shortly
take place.
This country now wants a strong administration—an
administration strong in the personal character of
its members—strong in talent and aptitude for pub-
lic business—strong in the sympathy, confidence,
and support of the public—and firm in its resolution
-to put 'down all disturbersof the,peaCe. -Chartiiim
must be put down. Our cities and towns must no
longer be the .suer midnight terror and ineen,
diarism. Socialism must be put down. Our do-
mestic circles must no longer be invaded.bytboe
" filthy dreamers." O'Connellism must, be 'put
down. Thu loyal Protestants of Inland must no
longer he left a prey to the brutal ferocity of the
Popish priesthood and their ensanguined followers.
Rebellion must be put down in our colonies. The
insolent interference of foreign powers with our
trade and commerce must be put down, and the

national flag must either escape insult or invoke

retributive vengeance.
The elements of such a strong administration are to be
found in the ranks of the Conservative party, and in
their ranks alone. We believe that the year upon
which we have just entered will not pass away with-
out the formation of a Conservative ministry. The
vessel of the state has been long approaching the
breakers of destruction. It must be wrested from
the hands of the present incapable crew, or it will
speedily become an unsightly and ignoble wreck.
The crisis has arrived, and all eyes are directed to
Sir Robert Peel, as the " pilot that can weather the

storm."

At the present crisis, when the commercial and ma.
nufacturing interests of this country are labouring un
der such a general depression, we cannot render a bet
ter service to our country than by directing public at

tention to the best means for avoiding, in future, the
difficulties which are now so painfully experienced, and
suggesting any plan which may have a tendency, not
only to increase the trade and commerce of the coun-
try, but to place them on a firmer and a more enduring
basis.

Among the most prominent of the means by which,
in our belief, this country may be preserved from those
embarrassments to which it has, of late years, been pe-
riodically subject, we would unhesitatingly mention
the increase of our colonial trade—a trade which Great
Britain has entirely under her control, and which is not
liable to those ruinous fluctuations which are so fre-
quently experienced from the monetary difficulties of
foreign states. Under the firm conviction that the colo-
nial trade of Great Britain is the most valuable, be-
cause the most stable, which she possesses, and that
this trade is capable of an almost indefinite extension,
we earnestly invite the attention of our contemporaries
to this important subject. It has not hitherto met
with that degree of consideration which it so impera-
tively demands. We would, therefore, most strenu-
ously urge upon our contemporaries the absolute ne-
cessity of a consentaneous movement in favour of
" Sun's, COLONIES, AND COMMERCE."
While we thus invite the co-operation of our bre-
thren of the press in seeking to promote the prosperity
of our colonial possessions, we trust that we shall be
excused for giving a greater degree of prominence to,
and bestowing more attention upon, those colonies
with which we are best acquainted, and which we be-
lieve are most capable of improvement. While others
may, either from a superior degree of information on
the subject, or from personal predilections, give pre-
ference to the East Indies, to Australia, to New Zea-
land, to the Cape of Good Hope, or to Canada, as the
most eligible of our colonies, and the most deserving
of encouragement,—our own opinion is, that the West
India islands and British Guiana present, at the pre-
sent moment, the most interesting field for the exercise
of British enterprise, and most imperatively require
the encouragement and protection of the Government.
We are far, however, from wishing to confine the at-
tention of our readers to the West India colonies.
England does not hold a single colony which is not, in
a greater or less degree, deserving of encouragement.
The resources of our colonies have not, in any instance
that we are aware of, been fully developed : much less
have they been, in any instance, exhausted. The co-
lonies in Southern Africa, which have already given
rise to a profitable trade, are capable of great extension
and improvement. The country adjacent to Port Na-
tal, in particular, offers a most eligible site for a new
colony; and we hope that the time is not far distant
when the attention of Government, as well as of British
capitalists, will be directed to this rich and fertile
country. If properly governed, Southern Africa will,
we have no doubt, in another generation, contain a po-

pulation of some millions, and give employment to a
large proportion of our shipping. We make use of the
terms if properly governed advisedly ; because, unfor-
tunately, our colonies have hitherto been atrociously
misgoverned. We do not exempt Tory administrations
from this charge ; but we confidently assert that the
colonial policy of the Whigs has been infinitely more
ruinous in its consequences.

File Mauritius is also a highly important colonial
lossession, the trade of which is capable of great ex-
We are glad to perceive a considerable in-
crease in its exports during the last year. The em-
ployment of the Hill Coolies seemsto-bave• answered
remarkably well in that colony. Their adaptation to
the performance of field-work has been there tri-
umphantly proved. All the accounts received from
the Mauritius represent the Coolies as perfectly satis-
fied with their treatment and condition; so much so,
indeed, as to express a general wish to have all their
friends and relations removed from India to the same

ension.

locality.
The East Indies, again, present a boundless field
for commercial enterprise. The teeming soil of this
vast empire is capable of furnishing an amount of
produce, many times over, equal in value to the whole
of our manufactured exports. There is not a cotton
or woollen factory in this country that might not be
fully and most profitably occupied in producing ma-
nufactured fabrics for the East Indian market alone,

if the resources of that magnificent appendage to the
British Crown were adequately developed, and its af-
fairs prudently administered. Look, for instance, to
the recent experiments in the growth of tea in Assam.
Why should not this country be rendered independent
of China in the supply of this article ? Nay, why
should not England supply other countries with a pro-
duct of such general consumption ?
Australia and New Zealand, again, are destined,
under good government, to become populous and flou-
rishing colonies, and recipients of a very large propor-
tion of our exports. Already the shipping employed
in the trade to our Australian possessions has attained
an unexampled degree of prosperity ; and it is in-
creasing in a ratio which justifies us in asserting that
it will, in a very few years, far exceed in tonnage the
whole of our European trade.
With the vast resources of the Canadas most of our
readers are, we presume, acquainted. These colonies,
if properly governed (for without this proviso our spe-
culations are without any foundation), might be ren-
dered of far greater value to this country than they are
at present.

We repeat our cordial wishes for the prosperity of
all these colonies, and we shall hereafter embrace every
opportunity we can to point out their resources, and
to promote their interests. Our present object, how-
ever, is to bring before our readers the peculiar claims
of the West India Islands an British Guiana upon
the sympathies and protection of the people of this
country. In our former articles on this subject, we
have animadverted in strong terms on the inattention
of the home Government to these colonies, and to the
general mal-administration of their affairs. We are
glad
to find, from the tone of the Ministerial papers,
that a more favourable impression has begun to ope-
rate upon the minds of those who have the direction
of our colonial affairs. We trust the day is not far
distant when justice to the Trest Indies will become a
rallying cry throughout the country, and that this cry
will meet with a ready echo from the Imperial Legis-

lature.

On the resources and capabilities of the West Indies
and British Guiana it is not our intention to enlarge
at present. It is sufficient for us to say that they are
capable of furnishing this country with all the staple
products of tropical regions required for the consump-
tion of the entire population of Great Britain. All
that is now wanted, to increase in a tenfold degree the
exports of Sugar, Coffee, Cotton, &c. front the West
Indies and British Guiana, is an adequate supply of
manual labour, combined with a proportionate additional
outlay of British capital. Even without the latter, an
increased supply of labourers would immediately pro-
duce a favourable re-action on our colonial trade.
Owing to the want of these the planters are cramped in
their operations—their capital is being frittered away—
their estates are going to ruin—our shipping and our
seamen are lying idle7-colonial produce is becoming
dearer and dearer---and thousands of our,manufactur,
iOg popnlation'are thrown out of employ merit. -These
are-Rvils which loudly and imperatively call for a
retnedp--a remedy at once prompt, adequate, and
effective,: • •
Where are fresh labourers for our West India colo-
nies to be found ? This question we have answered
over anti over again. It is useless to calculate, at least
for some time to come, upon the increased disposition
of the emancipated Negroes to perform field-work.
They must be allowed time to settle down to habits of
industry. The intoxicating influence of their newly-
acquired freedom has not yet subsided. But, even
supposing that the whole of the present Negro popu-
lation of the West Indies were as diligent as they were
under their former system of coerced labour, there is
still room for the employment of countless thousands
in addition to their numbers ; and it is no exaggeration
to say, that there are countless thousands who would
be glad of having an opportunity of obtaining employ-
ment in the West Indies. Hindostan alone could
spare a million of labourers, and would benefit by
their removal. Africa, again, could spare its hundreds
of thousands, to whom a removal to the West Indies
would be a blessing. The extensive emigration of the
African tribes to the West Indies, under the protection
of the British flag, and under regulations strictly con-
sonant with the principles of British freedom, would
strike a heavier blow at that foul traffic in human flesh,
the Slave Trade, than it has ever yet experienced. For
thirty years this country has been endeavouring to put
an end to this abominable trade. This interference on
behalf of the poor Africans has been dictated by the
purest motives of humanity, but it has resulted in a
system of cruelty, bondage, and torture, of which the
people of this country have been, until very recently,
utterly unconscious. We have already expended
twenty millions of money and upwards in endeavour-
ing to put a stop to the slave trade ; the lives of hun-
dreds of our brave and hardy seamen have been sacri-
ficed in this philanthropic enterprise ; and it is true
that we have rescued many thousands—yes, hundreds
of thousands—from the numerous slavers that have
been captured through the vigilance of our cruisers.
But what has been the result of all this expenditure of
life and money ? 'Where are the poor Africans that
we have rescued from the crowded and pestilence-
creating holds of the slavers ? What has become of
them ? Our readers will, no doubt, be astonished
when we inform them that the greater proportion of
these rescued Africans are now enduring all the horrors
of SLAVERY in its most aggravated form ! They are
now quailing under the lash in the Brazils, Cuba, &c.,
in a hopeless state of bondage. Is it possible ! This
is a very natural exclamation. These were the words
to which Dr. Lushington involuntarily gave utterance
when the subject was mentioned to him a few days
ago. We shall shortly lay before our readers some
more explicit information on this topic.
Before we conclude these remarks we beg to direct
the attention of our readers to an extract from the
Morning Chronicle, which appears in another column.
In the language of the extract we fully coincide. May
we not augur from it the prospect of a cordial union
of all parties in prosecuting an object of such incalcu-
lable importance ?

The merchants of this town, connected in trade with
the river Plate, have just addressed a highly compli-
mentary letter to our worthy representative, Cresswell
Cresswell, Esq., conveying a vote of thanks for the
valuable assistance which he rendered to their deputa-
tion in their conference with the Right Honorable Vis-
count Palmerston, on the subject of the blockade of
Buenos Ayres, and other subjects set forth'in their me-
morial, and also for the support which Mr. Cresswell
subsequently gave to the further representations .made
on the subject of obtaining permission 'to bring away
their property from Buenos Ayres, as well as for the
lively interest which he manifested on their behalf, and
the zealous manner in which he has co-operated with
the deputation. We mention this to show the manner
in which the mercantile interests of the town appreci-
ate Mr. Cresswell's attention.

The Morning Chronicle seems to be so thoroughly the
servant of O'Connell as to act bully for him upon all *occa-
sions. It has lately furiously attacked the. Earl of Bute, for
refusing to give part of his estate to build a popish chapel
upon!