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

LONDON. FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE 24, 1842.  The House of Commons was last night almost ex-. elusively occupied with the affairs of Alfghanistan Mi. H. C. BAILIE, in moving for fin iher papers on the subject, condemned the policy of the late Ministry for invading that countiy. His views were seconded by :11r. D'lsßAErn, 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 HonnousE, who, in their Administration, presided 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 pol Ly—than was supposed possible. Lord JocrnAN followed Sir J. HOBHOUSE without replying to him, and then :Mr. HoGG made a fervent and energetic speech against the Affghan war, while be declared that he.regretted the motion was brought foi and at a time when there should be no indulgence it declamation, but when the energies of the country should be put fiiftlt to punish the foulest perfidy, and avenge tir:! most atrocious murder. Sir R. PEEL objected to producing the papers moved for ; they referred to several unpleasant matters in which Russian agents had .been involved, and as we are at present on the bes t 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 Afghanistan, 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 distance of 10,000 miles, drawing from her letter and her energy his hopes of the pre7servation of our Indian empire. Her courage inspired our statesmen with energy. It is melancholy, indeed, to refie.:t that Lady SALE may never hear of the honour conferred on her, but should she have been preserved, it will he 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 adininistered. Justice is tempered with mercy. It is very rare that undue severity, not prescribed by the law, is complained of. More frequentlythe complaint is- that criminals receive too much leniency, and the laW is 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_ Admiirstraion, but of the general character latterly of the Administration in the hands -of both parties. The Press, though it have not lost its audacity, nor much abated of personalities, is suffered, unprosecuted, to pursue its own mrse ; and public meetings, even midnight meetings,- with rare exceptions, have been freely held. Partisans may complain that one is deserving. man not, and another undeserving man is, rewarded ; the distribution of patronage cannot please the disappointed; but when that is nearly all that ever is or can be urged, we are bound to con-. elude that the Exe9ttive Government is mild, honest,  and impartial. Nor is there much to complain of in the administration of affairs in other respects, in Which: perhaps, the la►v lays down no rules. Peace has latterly been pr..served under difficult circumstances, both at *nue