Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-04-15
From the Ne,r- York american of .4pra u.

III w PaShct Snlpy from
| Liverpool, brings us our london files to the
l5th ult. The chief item of interest is the
budget for the year, presented to the House Of
Commons by the Chancellor Of the Exchequer
| on the 18th. AS this annual statement had been
once or twice postponed during the late period
OF money agitation, it was conectured that
disastrous results were to be developed by it,
which, at the height Of the panic, il was thot
prudent to withhold The conjectures have
proved groundless, for without knowing what
the reason was, though probably only cons-
derations OF detail, which induced the delay, it
is now clear, that the general state Of the Bri-
fish finances is, and promises to be, secure and
prosperous. We cannot, perhaps, better occu-
ply some space than by extracts from Mr.. R0
binson's speech
After stating that though circumstances were
somewhat different now from. those in which he
found himself last year, he added" But, Sir,
| there is nothing in my mind to be discovered in
the present aspect Of our affairs, which ought
to create either alarm or dependency. There
may be grounds, and undoubtedly there are
grounds, for complaining Of many individual
grievances, and considerable distress, and GER
tain 1t is, that the causes of such individual
distress and grievances, cannot but be follow
| ed by some degree OF public distress, and gen.
eral embarrassment. That such has been the
case, am ready to admit, but think may
venture to say, that the violence Of the storm
is past, that the clouds are beginning to dis.
perse, and that out Of the very clemens Of the
late CONFUSION, good is likely to arise, as our
political atmosphere will be found purified by
the tempest. (Hear, hear.) |, therefore, feel
no dismay, when look at the present situation
Of the country"
In the debates which have lately arisen, with
in these walls, there has been great deal Of
unnecessary difference between those who have
been called philosophers, and those who claim
for themselves the more humble denomination
Of practical men, say Of unnecessary differ.
ence, because | cannot see that they ought for
moment to consider themselves opposed, as
il is the duty of the Legislature to take up the
sound theories Of the one, and carry them into
effect, aided by the practical experience Of the
other. 1t is by acting such part and BY the
Just combination OF these elements, that the
House and the country will be enabled to form
a proper estimate of the situation in which we
al present stand and Of the best mode of es.
Gaping from the diffic ulties in which we find
ourselves at present involved. If, indeed, those
who have to deal with subjects Of this kind, are
to be told that books and reasoning, when le-
gislating in these matters, are to be wholly
put aside, | know not how our proceedings are
to be repulsed, known not from what foun-
tain Of wisdom we are to drink, if we are to
be driven fFom those springs Of knowledge
which are offered for our guidance by the la
bors of those who have devoted themselves TO
the cause of philosophy and science. When
we find that in every class Of the community
the spread of knowledge is extending itself in
a manner which half century ago, would
have been deemed impossible, are we who sit
here, some as Ministers Of the Crown, and all
as united in the great act of legislating for a
great country, to be behindhand with our con-
temporaries; or rather, it is not our duty to
struggle 10 be foremost in the race? (Hear,
hear.) Knowing that the progress Of human
knowledge must be gradual and limited in the
first instance, it is our business to take care,
instead of being outstripped, that we'lead the
way; and, by assisting the judgment Of our
couhtrymen, enable them to avoid the Difficult.
ties, and correct the errors, into which they
might otherwise fall There are, indeed, some
persons who think the diffusion Of knowledge
the misfortune of the age but l know not how
those minds can be constructed who look upon
knowledge with the eye of fear. Much cheer
ing)
After the above honorable testimony to the
importance of knowledge and sound instruc.
ton, testimony the more valuable at a mo-
ment when distinction was attempted to be
drawn between PHILOSOPHERS" and practical
men," Mr.. Robinson entered into vindica,ion
of his language and estimates in previous years;
and proved that when he had spoken with tr.
umph of the prosperous condition OF the coun
try, he had been borne out by the facts; and
particularly that whatever might have been the
effect produced by his language, his estimates
of receipts could not be charged with having
led any one into error, for they had uniformly
during three years, been exceeded by the reai'
ty. But we give the Chancellor's own language
"The amount of revenue then which calcu.
lated upon in the three years was,
For 1923 z5a,ooopo
For 1924 5I,2650oo
For 1925 sl,97sOoo
Total on the three years l55,44o,oo0
The actual produce in those three years was
Ll56,838, 900, giving an excess Of $4,000 over