Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-12-09
THE INTERIM CONDITION OF
GREET BRITAIN.

an'c vi tne L0non JOurnals. he tone Ol
feeling IN whichl is written is Of that earn-
est kind which demonstrates that the writer
sincerely believer the entire truth of VIVA,
he says. and the representation he gives, is
corroboraied by al that has occurred in that
country for Ion, time past. The cxclu-
'iveness of BIRTHS, policy, has, within
few years back, produced countervailing
and defensive policy, in most Of continental
Europe. and England Is now grooming under
that reaction. The article seems to US to be
deeply interesting.
Heartily do we wish that we could induce
our fellow subjects Of every grade, condition,
and distinction IN politics to drop for a brief
space their party views and party predictions
and to look "wth single eye" on that now
really appalling questionable condition Of the
country. For assuredy the condition of the
country IS peculiar; it is more, il is really alarm
'ns. "The harvest is past, the summer is end.
ed, and zoe are mol sared." The new corn law
has done ito worst, as well as its best for this
season. The new tariff is at work, doing more
damage 10 minor tradesmen than good to the
great bulk of the the consumers, cause of
which is its main and manifest omissions The
importers OF foreign cattle are not gaining what
our home grazlers are losing. And though
wheat has fallen SO greatly in price, bread has
not YET go diminished in price as to prove gen.
been blamed but though, iew h e bakers have
reaplng somewhat large profits, the create, o.
proportion Of them are in the hands VI -.a,,i.s.
monopolst., who. by the aid Of law which
aggravates infinitely all the uncertainties of the
onn nfatr ia h.. L.. i Al
which should reach the poorest individual in the
empire.
Trade is paralyzed, yet money 10 abundant.
There is little speculation, vet the mean. of
forcing speculation are said to be "a drug in the
market" The farmers are alarmed, not only
with respect to the changes which have been
made, but with respect 10 those which they
dread are TO come. And, at the same time, the
commercial and manufacturing classes are Bit
terly feeling that whatever has been done is
sufnclent to deliver the commerce of tho country
rom its perlous position, and from which moth.
ing can redeem It but measures more general,
more comprehensive, and more honest toward
all classes thanthose which were carried during
The last session of Parliament
do we take pleasure in repeating this -
God forbid The condition of the country ia
becoming subject too serious aud alarming for
the indulgence Of mere party feeling. What.
ever motives may be attributed to the advocates
OF the removal OF commercial restrictions by
heariiess and cUnceted coxcombs, there ia NOT
man among the advocates OF free trade who is
not more anxious TO promote the genuine and
permanent interests of the country, than the
oudest-longued talkel ofthen. all. Some there
may be to whom the idea of this approaching
RUIN Ut the country may he subject of p easing
templ atinD rofkor th~p ,t,,a
as the swamping Of the existing frame work of
our social institutions may be regarded as es.
sentlal to tho working out Of their iayorte NJ.
tons. But men of this stamp are in general
not only ignorant of the principles of political
economy, but frequently unable to conpre he nd
them.
Tho genuine advocate of free trade is the
only genuine Conservative, in country whose
commerce Is the basis at once of its glory and
Its lie. lie does not wish to hold il up to the
gaze OF every foreigner, and az if that glory and
'i'e were alike ready to pass away, or TO have 1t
recorded that its commercial! prosperity, like
Jonah's gourd. "came up in night, and perish
I'd in night" Rather does he seek to uphold
It's character and credit wherever British com.
MERGE il to be found, or British flag is to be
seen. Blu. while he labors to place that char
acter and credit on nper!shable foundations, he
be attained by silence in the face of system
which is eating, like cancer, into the very
heart OF the national existence.
We repeat, then, tina, the condition of the
country, viewed in relation to its permanent
prosperity, is such as cannot be contemplated
by any honest, wise, or good man, wiihou, feel
n5s OF the lveIiest alarm. Paralysis has touch.
cd our coInnsrce-!ear has struck our agricul.
tnre-and poverty rests upon the population.
Let no man call this an cXageration, because
IN his own household there may be comfort, or
around him there may be employment and food.
II every individual IN such country as This
were actual and positive sufferers from the de-
cay OF commerce, our condition would be past
he p, past cure. H. is because there are many
who Possess capita, and who must d,fiuse u,
that there is hope; and (paradoxical as It may
seem) 1t IL because capital can find but lit "a
profitable means OF diffusion, that there is ur.
gent cause Tor fear.
Even in Paris, during the reign Of terror.
peope shook of the horrors of the time BY
crowdnG the theatres, while gaun, famine was
stalking n the streets, and murder turned the
lorms oi Justice into wholesale tool. Though
h,s country were on the very verge of ruin, It's
commercial concerns and daily necessities would
still afford the means Of putting "money in the
PN' ~ eo"S' vi iIiscTIeS Ut Oe s-
pair of those around them. But let no man
dream that he is unaffected by that general pa
raiysis and decay which have struck the hear,
OF our commerce, however remote he may deem
himself at present from their effects.
Trl;e as these topics may appear. they must be
urged and Reiterated, in proportion, as the dam
ger becomes more eminept. We were not
without sharing in the general hope that, after
the late abundant harvest, in conjunction with
The partial effects Of the partial tariff, there
would be such an amount of activity poured into
trade and commerce as would save us from the
painful necessity Of continuing to insist from
day to day, on so melancholy topic as the ruin
OF British industry and the sufierlngs of British
artisans. Bat alter all that has been, these
evils continue to press on US with accommodating
force nor do we see any rational prospect OF
amendment, unless the commercial and trading
classes, forgetting all party feeling, unite in
one general and imperative demand for changes
in our commercial policy which shall be large
comprehensive, impartial, and permanent.
COMPASSION OF A JupGE.-A very learned and
compassionate Judge in Texas, (says the National
lntel!igencer on passing sentence one John Jones