The Sun. — 1842-06-24 (London, England)

LONDON? FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE 24, 1842.  The House of Commons was last night almost exclusively occupied with the affairs of Affghanistan. Mr. H. C. BAILLIE, in moving for further papers on the subject, condemned the policy of the late Ministry ' for invading that country. His views were seconded by Mr. D'ISRAELI, who did not suffer the opportunity of attacking Lord PALMERSTON and his foreign policy to escape. The task of defending the Whigs naturally fell to Sir JOHN 110131101:SE, who, in their Administration, precided over the affairs of India. It was the general opinion that he executed this task successfully, and made out a far better case for the Indian Government—relying on the authority of its agents, and supposing their representations to be the fitting guide of its policy—than was supposed possible. Lord JOCELYN followed Sir J. HonnousE without replying to him, and then Mr. Hoco made a fervent and energetic speech against the Affghan war, while ' he declared that he regretted the motion was brought forward at a time when there should be no indulgence in declamation, but when the energies of the country should be put forth to punish the foulest perfidy, and avenge the most atrocious murder. Sir 11. PEEL &fleeted to producing the papers moved for ; they referred to several unpleasant matters in which Russian agents had been involved, and as we arc at present on the best of terms with Russia it would be wrong to run the risk of reviving past differences. Lord PALMERSTON defended the policy of the late Government, and concluded an able speech by expressing an opinion that we had now regained our superiority in Affghanistan, and by declaring that he should hear with reluctance of our troops spreading the ravages of war over that country, if we were not to keep it as a barrier for our Indian empire. The debate was on the whole satisfactory, as evincing in all our statesmen a proud conviction that great Britain haS nothing to fear for her supremacy in India, as well as a determination to maintain it. Sir ROBERT PEEL said England could, he believed, retain that empire, though Russia and Prussia were not in alliance with her, and in despite of all efforts to wrest it from her hands. He drew hope and energy from the patient endurance of Sir ROBERT SALE and from the heroism of Sir ROBERT SALE'S lady. To her it seemed beautifully complimentary to hear the Prime Minister of England, at the 3istance of 10,000 miles, drawing from her letter and her energy his hopes of the preservation of our Indian empire. Her courage inspired our statesmen with energy. It is melancholy, indeed, to reflect that Lady SALE may never hear of the honour conferred on her, but should she have been preserved, it will be a rich reward of which she could never dream. In the end Mr. BAILIE withdrew his motion.  It cannot be for one moment doubted or denied that the law in England, generally speaking, is fairly and impartially administered. Justice is tempered with mercy. it is very rare that undue severity, not prescribed by the law, is complained of. More frequently the complaint is that criminals receive too much leniency, and the law iz not rigidly enough enforced. This is a truth which ought now to be remembered. Neither is the Government, in respect to political opinions, Or political opponents, severe. We speak not of the Tory Administration, or the Whig Administration, but of the general character latterly of the Administration in the hands of both parties. The e ei d lnyi Press, though it have not lost its audacity, nor much abated of personalities, is suffered, unprosecuted, to pursue its own course ; and public .meetings, even mghietldn.leetrinargttawnristhmraayre coe.mveperathr tsilalro,enebeeden.