The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-04-03
LETTER FROM LONDON.

LONDON, March IA, 1851.
To the Editor of the National Era:
Last Friday evening LORD John Russeh 1sid
before Parliament the proposed course Govern
ment intends pursuing during the present ses-
sion. The unpleasant question of the income tax
is to be brought before the House of Commons
the Oath instant, previous to which Sir Charles
Wood the Chancellor of the Exchequer will ex-
plain the various notifications which "the orr
sis u has obliged him to make in the bill. A vote
will positively be asked on the night of the oath
instant, and were circumstances In any wise diff
ferent from what they are, the Ministers would
suffer defeat As it is, the House Of Commons
will be forced to wait better opportunity for
throwing overheard this odious tax. The Liber-
ais are also Free Traders, and do not like to en-
danger that cause by becoming at this critical
juncture the enemies of Free Trade Cabinet.
| But the most significant part Of the Premier's
speech on Friday night was in reference to the
Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, which he himself intro
dnced He now declares that the second and
third clauses Of the bill mill be omitted! These
clauses are the only parts of it which amount to
anything like persecution, and the move is vir-
| tual abandonment Of the whole measure. What
remains is but national protest against Popery.
This result, when we consider the direct hand
which the Premier had in adding fuel to the
great defunct agitation of o few weeks ago, is a
most ludicrous one, like that of a certain person
age who marched large number of men up q
| hill
"Then marched them down sgsinw
As Miner Gibson remarked, it is fine approx
nation towards nothing, and must please all men
who 10 We religious freedom. The feeling of the
enemies of the Catholics can be imagined. They
accuse Lord John OF the most abominable treach-
cry, call him a turncoat, and all bad names-and
he richly deserves all appellations, for his move
has merely been a political one in reference to
the Irish members of the House. Had he strong
party in the House on other questions, depend
upon it, he would not spare the Catholics.
Mr. Locke Kings Suffrage Bill (the one on
which Government was SO sgnally defeated) has
been read the first time, and printed. 1t gives
county vote to all householders who pay rent Of
ESQ year.
On Monday night, there was an able discussion
of the navy estimates in the House. The esti
mates are for 80, 600 men during next year. Mr..
Hume proposed an amendment reducing the
number to 10000. The consequence was long
discussion, and the amendment was defeated by
169 to 6l All save Ia of the Protectionist men,
bers mere absent, yet they are the men continually
talking of the burdens on land, &c. Why do
they not unite with Hume in relieving land of its
/ ~ - Tha faot In thaf
protection here is all humbug-and its advocates
are dishonest men, politically speaking
great meeting Of Catholics was held on Mon
day in town, at which enthusiastic speeches were
made in favor Of religious freedom. The Hall
was crowded to its utmost capacity, with ladies as
we'll as gentlemen. Towards the close Of the
meeting gentleman got upon the platform and
wished to ask question. After great confusion
he was allowed. "Dd the meeting approve Of
the persecution of the Jews carried on at this
moment by the Pope of Rome p II was really
knock-down question. The greatest uproar was
the consequence, but not one dared to answer
@no to the question. Persecution in Rome does
not justify persecution in London certainly, but
no thorough religious reformer can have any
sympathy with men who dared not answer so sim
pie question as that. However, they are no
worse than the majority Of religious scots, for as
yet the world is too selfish to heartily wish polit
cal and religious freedom for all. The cry is
I" Freedom Freedom p but It means Freedom
for MS! for wp Catholics and Protestants are
] both selfish.
On Tuesday night in the House Of Commons
the Ministry experienced another defeatI Lord
Duncan moved that bill be introduced, the OBJ
ject Of which is reform In the land revenues OF
the Grown. As matters are at present the Crown
lands are under the control Of three commission
ers, and the revenues arising from them are near
ly eaten up by aristocratic keepers, rangers &c,
90. The bill proposes to make the commission.
ers Immediately responsible TO Parliament for
their conduct The Ministry opposed the bill,
but were defeated by one vote. The vote stood
100 to 1l9. This Is the first defeat Of the Min
istry since the recent ministerial crisis.
Lord Pslmerston, the Foreign Secretary, after
q long delay, has at last laid before the House
batch Of papers in reference 10 the conduct Of this
Government during the Hungarian struggle. At
the time, the Secretary gave out that his sympa-
thies were with the poor Hungsrians, and was
consequently quite popular for time, but these
papers prove incontestably that his acts, whatever
were his sympathes were ell on the side OF des-
potism. 10 one Of his dispatches TO Austria he
speaks Of the Hungarian rebellion as something
which must be crushed at all hazards. These
papers will not help the Viscount just at present,
when he needs help very much. For long time
ne has resisted their publication, but could do so
no longer.
A great Parliamentary Reform Meeting was
held at the London Tavern on Monday evening.
w. J. Fox, M. p delivered an able lecture.
Last evening, the anniversary Of the German
Revolution was celebrated at the Freemasons'
Tavern, In London A lsrge number Sat, down
to dinner, and the utmost ssthusiasm prevailed
In the course OF the evening the Italian hero
Masrini, entered the Hall, and made an eloquent
speech. He was looking sxceedingly we'll, and
Was In excellent spirits. His recent journey
upon the Continent has not disheartensd him
There Ii . peculiar charm In Mazzinis elo-
quenos--a rehned, yet burning, enthusiasm Which
makes IN impression upon the coolest heart lie