Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-05-16
British Politics.
From the Baltimore CAronicle.

TUG country, winch snow state OF thlngs
by no means consistent with the happi.
ness, prosperity, or freedom Of the peo-
pie.
The first measure Of public importance
is the decision OF both houses of Parlia-
inent adverse to the repeal of the corn
laws. These laws were made to prohi-
bit the importation of foreign grain into
the kingdom, until it shall reach GER
tain high price, proving the existence Of
a season OF scarcity. This is obviously
for the benefit of the landed interest Of
the country. Under government like
that OF England, eDcunbered as it is with
an enormous public debt, and large
body of dependant officials, the interest
OF the public debt, and the expenses of
supporting the civil establishment, and
keeping up the strength of the army aud
navy, must require the raising of large
revenue. The duties upon articles of
foreign importation. though very high.
are insufficient 10 furnish the means Of
carrying on the government. unless by
resort to heavy direct taxes. Perhaps
the most burthensome OF all the taxes is
that levied upon the landed estates. To
enable the proprietors to bear these tax
es, government has interfered by means
of laws to prevent the competition Of
foreign agricalturists, the most onerous
oi W hich are those denominated the corn
laws. The effect of these laws is to
make every person who lives upon bread
stufIs contribute indirectly to the pay
ment of the land taxes It is of course,
perfectly natural that those who are too
poor to pay any taxes, and those who
contribute in other ways TO the support
OF the Royal Treasury, should com plain
OF the lmpositions which they are O.
bliged to submit to under the corn laws.
On the other hand, it is evident that the
repeal OF these laws will cause great
dissatisfaction to the land holders and
the aristocracy. who at present, are able
TO control the majority Of both Houses of
Parliament, and would be able to reject
from office any ministry which would
dare to make the repeal of the corn laws
government measure. AS the princi-
pie OF universal suffrage does not prevail
IN England, it follows as consequence
that the voice Of the many is drowned
by the interest and power of the few,
and this brings us to the second cause of
national discomfort.
There has been new party or agita.
ton commenced, pledged TO the support
OF what is called the Peoples Charter
which Purports to demand of the House
OF Commons the right of universal sui.
frage, the vote by ballot, and the paw
ment OF wages to the members of the
Lower House. The conce ssion Of these
demands would be a severe blow TO the
power OF the aristocracy in the House of
Commons. and would leave the House
OF Lords as the only aristocratic branch
OF the government. This would be- in
the idea OF many writers OIL the subject,
the perfection Of government, as there
would then be the monarchial, the arts
tocratical and the democratical branches
oil government, each separate and distinct
from, and having check upon the 9th
eIs. But this perfection would be of
snort duration, for upon the first serious
attempt at resistance OH the part of the
LORDS to the measures of the Commons,
the latter would commence hostilities a.
gainst the former. No ministry could
carry ON the government without the
support OF the Commons, who have the
power Of granting or Withholding the
supplies. The Crown acts onIy through
the ministry, who being dependent upon
the Commons, would be obliged to unite
with them in their attacks upon the
Lords. By adopting the expedient of
creating Peers for the purpose of carry
ing any favourite measure of the Com.
MONS blow would be struck at the
dignity and independence of the Peers,
winch leaving them incapable Of any
longer subscribing the purposes OF their
institution, would lead to the dissolution
OF their order. The government would
men present the anomaly ofa democrat,
&c Legislature and monarcbial executive.
Lbs would not last long. The mon
arch would be obliged to yield in all
things to the will of the people, or the
Legislature, possessing as it would the
cohtroui over the purse, and consequent.
y over the sword, would take measures
Tor the selection Of an Executive created
oy and responsible to the people per.
iect democracy would be the conse.
quence. How far democratic govern
ment would be disposed to regard the
national faith pledged to the redemp,ion
oil hundreds of millions Of public debt is
extremely questionable. The mass Of
tue people, feeling that il would be no
easy task to redeem the principal and
interest, oil SO great debt created in part
oy their ancestors, might be disposed to