The Sun. — 1821-05-23 (London, England)

MORNING CHRONICLIZ.] The hostility of the Clergy of Spain to the new order of things in that country was to be expected. However beneficial,the.reformation must be to the nation in general, to them it is not a cause of rejoicing; and the members of a church are like the members of any other corporation,  always much more alive to their own separate interest, than the interest of the community at large. The monks of Spain (there are individual exceptions no doubt) would be very sorry to see the people generally industrious and intelligent; because the condition on which this can be ef:fected puts an end to their luxurious idleness.— Priestcraft and"national prosperity are incompatible with each other; but the Monks thrive by Priestcraft:-.--Among those who from this Cause naturally hated the Revolution, and wished to return to the old system of abuses by which he conld hope to thrive, was the Canon Vinuessa. This man had entered deeply into a conspiracy for the overthrow of the existing Government ; had formed a plan for that ptirpose ; and evidence in his own hand-writing of his machinations was produced against him in abundance. The Court before which he was tried sentenced. him to a severe punishment no doubt, but. a punishment to which, many of the brave defenders of their country were subjected on the return of Ferdinand. Into the adequacy or inadequacy of this punishment, however, it would be presumptuous itt us to enter. The people of Madrid, however (and at this, considering the conduct of the Priests at the present conjuncture, and the state of agitation produced by intestine commotions and the alarm of fOreign invasion, we do not wonder), seem to have been.greatly exasperated against Vinuessa; and the sentence was unsatisfactory to them. It is . said to have. been known to the Ministers, that an attempt would be made on Vinuessa's life; but no precautions, or none suitable, were taken to frustrate. thatattempt, and Vinuessa fell a sacrifice to the fury of the mob and the bad conduct of the Authot rifles. We regret this transaction as much as it is possible to do. But regret for the transaction, and respect for the sufferer, are two distinct things. We should regret the destruction of the vilest miscreant that 'ever disgraced human nature, 'if it was not exacted by law. Vinuessa was a man who wished for his own selfish ends to involve his country in blood and confusion ; but if the law spared him, the Authorities ought not to have allowed him to be murdered. But what man does not feel indignant when he hears this busy meddling priest spoken of by a British Journalist in the following terms :—" The manner in which the brave and pious Vinuessa met his death is most affecting. His murderers found him in his dungeon offering up his prayers to the Almighty." The brave and the pious Vinuessa! What a prostitution of language ! What would this worshipper of the Church Militant of Spain say of any writer, who as Baird, the leaderut Bonnymuir, was a very religious man, and probably more brave than the Spanish Priest, should exclaim, 44 The brave and pious Baird !" This brave and religious Priest wished very much, no doubt, like most of his brethren, to see the Inquisition restored, and joined heartily in the cry of— " Down with the Constitution and up with the Inquisition I" This is what is meant by religion. It is not religion; but its abuses, which are admired by our Ministerial advocates; and they seem perfectly impartial in this respect between Catholics and Protestants, 'as they are as ready to admire the supporters of Orange Societies as the supporters of the Inquisition.  [