Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-07-05
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
IMPORTANT DEBATE IN THE BRITISH HOUSE
OF COMMONS.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL on the 18th of May last, was
perhaps more portentous, in its indications, thar
any other which has lately occurred. There were
no immediate and marked consequences flowing
from the debate but in the of the speeches
which were made, opinions were expressed by Sir
Robert PEEL in relation to free trade which have
filled the heightened Conservative party with con-
siderable doubt and apprehension as to his future
policy. Bells Weekly Messenger, one of the lead
ing organs Of that party denounces the Premier for
having deserted his party, calls upon the party to
desert him, and asks is it not now time for every
section of the Conservative party to look around
them for new mani" Bells Messenger is by no
means violent paper, but It's understood to speak
the sentiments Of the landed aristocracy. Sir JOHN
TYRRELL's speech is also ominous. Sir ROBERT
PEEL fully admits all the principles contained in
Lord John Russe's second and third resolutions.
These resolutions opposed to protective duties
and the corn iaWs. Lord JOHN RUSSELL has said
"Aat he would not support Uote Of ,cant Of con-
fdence in Ministers :; and, further, "hat he kao,cs
the best present mode for carrying out has princi-
Piles is to leave the present party in pover."
These being the sentiments of the leaders Of the
two great parties, it is fair inference that coa
ton may take place at no very distant day. Ii is
quite probable that if Sir Robert should be deserted
by the Conservatives, he would resort to such an
alliance, rather than abandon the line of policy
which he contemplates. He is, however, strong
enough at present, and most of the men of bust
ness in the kingdom are said to be converts to his
policy, and friendly to the he is pursuing.
Of this debate, which, if it lead to any thing, will
involve consequences of great importance to the
commerce, agriculture, and manufactures of this
country, we have thought that we should perform
acceptable service to our readers by giving the
following brief sketch. 1t will be found to contain
much information of an interesting nature besides
what relates to the main point at issue.
The resolutions moved by Lord JOHN RUSSELL
were nine in number.
The lst merely asserted that the present being period Of
peace, &c. suitable devise measures for the i'm
provement Of the condition of the laboring classes
The ID declared that those laws which impose duties usually
called protective tend to impair the efficiency of labor
strict the interchange of commodities and to impose on
the people unnecessary taxation
3d. That the present laws tend check improvements
in agriculture produce uncertainty all farming specuaons
and hold out to the and occups of land prospects
special advantage which they fail to secure.
4th That the House will take the said laws into consdera
ton with view TO such cautious and deliberate arrangements
as may be most beneficial to all classes of British subjects
The 5h related some alteration in the law of parish
settlement
The 9th related to systematic plan of colonization
The 7h related to general diffusion Of education
The 9Th related extension of religious and moral in.
struction.
The 9th moved address her Majesty on the subject of
the foregoing resolutions
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that the subject matter of
all these resolutions one and the same and
that was, the lettering the condition of the labor
ing classes it impossible separate their ply
steal from their religious moral, and intellectual
condition. and that 1t was in vain to attempt to i'm
prove the If the other neglected He gave his
tory of the progress Of the national debt and of taxation and
showed their effects upon the aborng community. No great
reduction in taxation could take place. for of the fifty mil
lions annually raised nearly the whole wanted pay the
interest of the debt and maintain national faith and not
than three millions be saved between the
giant and the most economical peace establishment The
wages Of the aborcr have increased proportion
Expectations which have taken place in the value of money
FIRST by the bank restriction Of 1897, and secondly by
Sir Robert Pees currency bill of 1873 Lord John dwelt
largely the subject Of the second resolution Some per-
sons said he still retain the theory that ,cout protec
think necessary that should express opinion or the
other either let adopt the policy Of Mr. Vansiar and
protect all branches Of industry agriculture, let aban
don that system vitous and unsound For my part
think the system vcus and unsound" Lord John cited
several statements from Mr. Gsdones pamphlet show
that the importation of manufactures under the reduced duties
Of 1912 overwhelming, and that native manufactures
quite able to bear up against foreign competition "H
then, those principles just it right reduce pro-
been pursued with regard to other articles Of
importance than any contained in the tariff Of 1912 My
conclusion Is that the system altogether vous and that
ought to abandon it."
To substantate his third resolution he cited the complaint
Of farmers that although they have protection of than
forty per cent upon the food of the people, they have
in state of difficulty, and have been unable employ the
regular number of Iabores during the last years.
count of diminished "My opinion is said Lord
John, that small fired duty would be preferable slid
ing scale of duty, to vanishing scale. However, if
asked Uheter think that Is desirable 10 hare any
duty at all, should say abstract question,
that certainly NOT Corn Of the articles that
you can tar but in making changes your commercial poll
cy know the evil that produced by sudden alteration
His proposed alteration in the law Of paochal settlement
relates TO techncaes in the English poor laws which are
happily for us, not understood in this country
The resolution respecting colonization appears TO have re-
ference particularly to Canada.
The necessity for general diffusion Of education is
made evident by the following statements
Of the criminals in Berkshire, one-hird were unable 70