The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-04-20 00:00:00

TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 20, 184 1 .

It is a highly satisfactory circumstance, that owing
to the error of the clerk of the County Court, M`Leod
has obtained a postponement of his trial, and that his
life is in no immediate danger. For this agreeable
piece of news, we are indebted to our last intelligence
from the State of New York; but as it is natural to
the human mind to look forward to some new object
the moment it is satisfied by the possession of that
which it has primarily sought after, we should cer-
tainly like to know how long our British fellow-sub-
ject is to remain in an American jail, upon a charge of
being only too faithful to the commands of his own

government ?
Commissions for the examination of witnesses have
been granted, which, we are told, it will take a good
deal of time to execute—and this change has certainly
come o'er the dream of our free and enlightened citi-
zens, that they are no longer, as heretofore, in any
haste to take that vengeance which at first they seemed
eager to inflict, in the most summary manner, on a
British subject caught straying within their border,
unconscious of any crime, and unsuspicious of any
attempt being about io be made on him.
This is all that has been gained by the remonstrance
of our government, and it is plain that the republicans
treat us with the coolest possible indifference, if not
positive contempt. It is said that M`Leod will cer-
tainly be able to prove an alibi to the charge ; but
what is that to the purpose ? A national affront has
been put on us by his arrest, and is continued by his
imprisonment—and no acquittal can cure it. Truly
may we be taunted with being valiant only towards
Chinese, and small deer of that description ; but ex-
tremely placable and peaceable towards those who use
our own language, if this affair be suffered to go off
in a manner so little creditable to us. We hope Lord
Palmerston will be prepared to answer all necessary
questions relating to the subject, on the re-assembling
of Parliament.

There are no men who entertain such exalted no-
tions of the powers of Parliament as your dealers in
cheap-corn-agitation—there•are none, at least, who by
their conduct give more just occasion for predicating
such a proposition of them. Our writers on constitu-
tional law have certainly encouraged the growth of
these ideas, for it is a conceded point among them,
laid down, indeed, with axiomatic confidence, that
Parliament can do everything but make a man a wo-
man, or a woman a man—or, in short, is only a little
less than omnipotent. It would be extraordinary if
our Parliaments did not sometimes avail themselves
of a prepossession that so greatly favoured any desire
they might have felt to make themselves irresponsible
to the people, and to " cut fantastic tricks before high
Heaven;" and so they have done not unfrequently.
But neither Parliaments, nqj writers upon the lex et
consuetudo of Parliaments, have carried these extrava-
gant conceits so far as the cheap-corn agitators of this
day evidently do ; for it is an essential ingredient in
their system that nothing makes the poor man poor,
but the terrible efficaciousness of an invidious act of
Parliament, and that nothing else is wanting to seat us
all, each under his own vine and fig tree, but the same
magic power exercised under a more favourable con-
juncture of the stars. " Give us," say they, " free
trade in corn, and all will be right ; bread will then be
plentiful, and each man will have his share." The ex-
isting order of things, therefore, and all who defend it,
are with them a proper subject for invective and detes-
tation.

The question has been long and minutely discussed;
but not much impression seems to have been made on
the agitators, and, what is worse, we fear, never will
be, though to our mind, they have not been left a leg
to stand upon in the fair field of argument. The rea-
son of the phenomenon we take to be this—that these
gentry labour under a state of mental, or mensal delu-
sion, a sort of oven monomania, for which there is no
remedy in the pharmacopoeia of secular policy. The
disease is a serious and, not unfrequently, an alarming
one, and different opinions prevail as to the best mode
of treating it. Some are for humouring the patient to
the full extent of his wishes, in order that he may dis-
cover their vanity and emptiness by actual experiment;
others run into an opposite extreme, and are for no-
thing less than putting him into a strait waistco
once. But, for our part, we prefer a medium course,
and would try, to the last, mild and soothing mea-
sures, always endeavouring to draw away the attention
of the sufferer from the unhappy subject of his delu-
sion, by engaging him as much as possible in some
useful employment. But, to return to the supposed
powers of legislation, we would remark, that if it be
an ordination of Providence that we shall have the
poor "always with us," then it must be in the highest
degree absurd to imagine that any law of man can pre-
vent it. Our omnipotent Parliament might, we may
suppose, by its fiat, put all men on an equality in point
of property at a given time ; but no man, not an idiot,
would believe that the equality thus produced would
last a week, no, nor an hour. This, to be sure, is a
slight limitation on its power, but one too certain to ad-
mit of dispute. So also might they abolish the corn
duties ; but they would not " remove the poor out of
the land," nevertheless. They cannot say to the ocean
wave, thus far shalt thou go, and no farther, nor can
they undo that which the decree of Providence says
shall be done. But the agitators seem to think other-
wise; at all events, their doctrine pays much more re-
spect to the assumed self-sufficiency and all-sufficiency
of Parliament, than to those insuperable barriers which
the Eternal has set up, and which man can never pass.
The corn duties are, in our view, a fair and reason-
able adjustment between conflicting, or apparently con-
flicting interests. We look upon them as indispensa-
ble to the well-being of the community, and feel as-
sured that the poor man is just as much interested in
maintaining them as the rich. We cannot but per-
ceive the fallacy and delusion sought to be promul-
gated by those who are agitating the humbler classes
with a view to their repeal. They would persuade the
poor man that it is the laws of his country which make
him so, whereas we believe there is not a country on
earth which gives freer scope to the exercise of talent
and industry in every possible form than those of our
own. Sometimes, through the blundering of some
oblivious exhibitor amongst the "reformers,". more
aged than wise in his generation, a little truth, harmo-
nising exactly with these sentiments, escapes from their
own lips--.as when old Colonel 'Williams last week
told an admiring crowd how much good corn was
wasted in the manufacture of ardent spirits, and how
much might be saved from the still for the oven, if

they would only attend a little more to the reform of
their own habits. But such a topic is rather ungra-
cious in the hands of one whose business it is to flat-
ter the prejudices, and exalt the majesty of the people,
and tells them too plainly to look at home for the re-
medy of grievances which it is much more agreeable
to, and congenial with the weakness of human nature,
to look for abroad. They quote Scripture too, but
their quotations are usually made, like those of Sir
Joshua Walmsley, with a talent only for the most lu-
dicrous perversion. There are some Scriptures, how-
ever, to which they seldom allude—such as that which
declares that man shall " eat bread bread by. the sweat
of his brow," and that which tells him to " seek first
the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and
that all other things shall be added unto him." Eng-
land, however, will not yield to the mad and mischiev-
ous stage-lecturings of these free-trade monomaniasts.
Of all countries she would be most inexcusable in so
doing, because if we regard their attempt as a conse-
quence resulting from an excess in her population, no
country possesses greater facilities than she does for
draining off that excess by colonisation.

Our Hibernian sister is at this moment quite a trou-
bled sea of movements. We will not undertake the
part of seers, and presume to say what may be the re-
sult of all this agitation ; or whether it be for
good or harm. Storms and hurricanes purify the
air, and though portentous, and big with alarm while
they last, are succeeded, in general, by a calm and
freshful stillness, which is conducive to health. Arguing
from such an analogy, we might hope that the moral
and social state of Ireland would be improved by the
violent heavings with which it is at present troubled
from centre to circumference. The conflict between
light and darkness rages through every part of the
land, and in a variety of forms—and considering the
natural proneness of man to evil, and the stupendous
force which it commands, we are astonished at the
glorious battle which the opposing power, so much
weaker in numbers, and so much more fastigious in
the use of means, is able to maintain.

In the first place, if we hear a great deal in this
country (and we can scarely hear too much) of May-
nooth and its priesthood—of the progress made by
Popery, and the fearfully evil influence which it exerts
over the people, we are reminded also—less ostenta-
tiously indeed, but by the most unquestionable evi-
dence,—that the national church, and its efficient mi-
nisters, are not idle on the opposite side—not only in
defending themselves against the enemy, but in re-
ducing his numbers, by gaining them over to his own
side. The anniversary meetings of the religious socie-
ties which take place at this season in Dublin, bring
to light a good deal of information on this point, and
shew how completely alive the clergy are to the critical
position of the church, as well as the various means
which they put in exercise to meet its difficulties. In
opposition to that mis-named national, but truly anti-
national system of education which the government
supports, they have established a comprehensive sys-
tem, on strictly church principles—supported entirely
by voluntary contributions. In order to meet other
wants of the country, various other societies have been
established, such as Bible Societies, Sunday School
Societies, and numerous others not unknown to many of
our readers. All these are now in full and vigorous
operation, and it is satisfactory to know that in spite
of every discouragement, a large and gratifying amount
of success has attended their labours during the past

year.
But this is only one form of the antagonism that ex-
ists, though doubtless, the most direct and important;
there are numerous others, but of less defined and
more questionable shape. Some of them are such,
that we scarcely know on which side to range them.
There is, for instance, Priest Matthew's Teetotal So-
ciety. That society, we have heard from a gentleman
who has lately travelled through all parts of Ireland,
has made, and is yet making, astonishing progress.
All strong drinks are abjured, and exorcised like the
venemous reptiles expelled by St. Patrick. Whiskey
is only manufactured for the English, and other "out-
side barbarians;" no Rechabite of the Saint's school
will touch a drop of it. The members of this society,
it is said, now amount to more than two millions ; and
there can be no question on this point, that very many
of the members have been raised from the lowest de-
gradation to circumstances of comparative respectabi-
lity and comfort. But there .is a reverse of the pic-
ture—a per contra side to the account. O'Connell
has joined the brotherhood, and from being, as at first,
a society of mere superstition, or really for the reform
of intemperate habits, it is now as much a political
repeal association, as if it had been originally founded
for this express object.
Again, there is a society,- with branches throughout
the entire country, whose professed intent, is the pro-
motion of Irish manufactures ; but this, also, is liable
to a similar objection—it has been " O'Connelised"—
and consequently converted into an engine for forward-
ing that honest patriot, and loyal subject's particular
views and designs.
As to the arch-fiend himself, he is ever at work
boldly and busily in what we must call—for it is too
manifestly such—the cause of absolute treason. He
has been unceasingly energetic and active in his fa-
vourite vocation since the adjournment of parliament,
and has now got, in addition to all his other adjuncts,
a society of " repeal volunteers,"—which, if it do not
mean a company or army of "fighting men," enlisted
for this particular service, we really know not what is
to be understood by it. •
There has been recently formed, under favourable
auspices and. high patronage:, an Agricultural Society
for Ireland, in imitation of the great societies of this
country and Scotland, and gentlemen of various poli-
tical sentiments have joined it, as the exclusion of po-
litics is a fundamental principle of its constitution.
Mr. O'Connell, however, hss not given in his adhe-
sion. No; his mind is too intently fixed on one grand
object—the regeneration of his country through the
medium of repeal—and her entire redemption from
English " chains and slavery." He has no heart—no
mind for any lesser instrumentalities of good ; and he
has condemned this society, because, he says, it has a
tendency to draw away men's attention from that grand
object never to be lost sight of—Repeal. An enemy
to every thing that is good, his touch seems to impart
bitterness, and poison wherever it reaches. The cup
that temperance would substitute for the maddening
bowl, this watchful enemy of his country's peace, con-
verts into a mystic pledge of treason. His breath is
a blight that blasts every wholesome fruit, and proves
destruction -to every thing that is not poisonous and
destrnctive in itself. He will encourage no industry
unless it be devoted to some unlawful service—no re-
form in the habits of his countrymen, unless the devil
is to reap all the benefit. His dark soul revels in no-
thing but "treasons, stratagems, and spoils ;" and as-
sisted as he is by the surpliced janissiaries of Popery,
the question still remains to be decided, whether the
powers of light, or darkness, are in the end to obtain
the victory. We conclude for the present with this
question—is it right that Protestant England should
be a passive and inactive spectator of the contest ?

It has been stated that the gallant Commodore—
who was yesterday most enthusiastically received by
our fellow-townsmen—and into their feelings on the
subject we heartily enter—is charged with a commis-
sion from the Pasha of Egypt, to exert his good offices
for him touching the affair that still remains unsettled
between him and his re-instated master of the Sublime
Porte. If the talents of this brave officer in diplomacy
be equal to his justly-earned reputation as a naval and
military hero, we should conclude that Mehemet Ali
could not have entrusted his interests into better hands ;
but we have some doubt as to the exact truth of the
statement referred to. It is centain, indeed, after all
that British valour and military science have accom-
plished, that the eastern question is not yet brought to
that satisfactory termination which we might have ex-
pected. Why this should be the cane, we cannot con-
ceive, since the question now remaining undetermined
is one which the conference in London, or Lord Pal-
merston himself, if he were disposed to deal hand-
somely by a fallen foe, might settle at once without
difficulty. It is ridiculous to suppose that the boy
Sultan would be so mad as to insist—in his own
strength—on the terms of his firman, which, by saving
to himself the power to select the heir who shall suc-
ceed to the Egyptian Pashalic, would deprive the here-
ditary title to .that government of all its ,value. In
setting up such a claim, 'we may argue either that lie

has a promise of direct support to make it good, or
an assurance that there shall be no interference with
him in any attempt he may essay to establish it, on
the part of the allied powers. Now either of these
suppositions, if founded on fact, is in our mind dis-
graceful to the conference, and to our Foreign Secre-

tary in particular.
The Pasha has fulfilled the terms of the con-
vention on his part. He has, amongst other sub-
missions enjoined upon him, restored the Turkish fleet,
and we have read amongst the latest dates from Con-
stantinople, a grand description of the Sultan's visit to
inspect for the first time his long lost possession. It
is one of the fruits of those battles so well fought for
him by our distinguished guest, Sir Charles Napier ;
but it remains to be seen whether the Pasha will sub-
mit to the indignity put upon him by the firman, and
be content to hold a government agreed to be given
him as an hereditary possession, clogged with this Sul-
tanic after-thought—this hard, nay monstrous condi-
tion, that the Sultan shall have the selection of the heir
to succeed.

Since writing the foregoing, we perceive that a Paris
correspondent of the London Morning Post of yester-
day states, on the authority of a letter from Vienna of
the 11th instant, that the Eastern question may be re-
garded as settled, for that Reschid Pacha, who had
been only the creature of Lord Ponsonby, has been
dismissed through the united efforts of the Russian
and Austrian ambassadors, and has been replaced by
Rifaat Bey, who was formerly ambassador at Vienna,
and who, since that period, has been in close connec-
tion with Prince Metternich. At Rifaat Bey's first
conference with Baron Sturmer, the new minister for
foreign affairs solemnly promised that within a few days
the Porte would publish a new hatti scheriff, with the
modifications urged by Austria, namely, the direct
succession to the pachalic of Egypt. • This news is said
to have produced a great sensation in the diplomatic
circles at Paris, not only because of the defeat of Lord
Ponsonby, and his probable recall, but on account of
the complete fall of the system of reforms and changes
into which Reschid Pacha had embarked. The abdi-
cation of Mehemet Ali. in favour of Ibrahim Pacha is
looked upon as a probable event.