The Sun. — 1841-04-08 (London, England)

THE EDITOR OF 7'HE SUN.  Sir.,—Previously to quitting the lonian Islandr, and during this kind of interregnum, Sir Howard Dougla3 is determined to gt;v:i still further and indelible proof.; of the plenitude of his power. After having caused to be inserted in the lonian Gazette, as a warning to the emplo)6,, an opinion a'tributed to Washington,* he ordered the Senate to dismiss from their offices several persons of known integrity and talent, whose consciences would not permit them to put their names to the Address which Sir Howard got up last year, as an expression of the gratitude of the lonian people [after his warm eulogy of them in his despatch of the 10th April, 1840] for bia paternal anxiety to promote the welfare of these States, and as a declaration of their conviction that every charge against such a benefactor is purely a machination of calumny. Nor was this sufficient : he wanted to make ev,n spiritual authority subservient to his purpose ; consequently the dignitaries of the Church, who, knowing the words of the Address to be untrue, would not injure their character by attesting them with their signature, were made to feel his wrath.  Such is Oil conduct of Sir Howard Douglas in the lonian Islands, and of that winch is required from the employes, as well as from the clergy themseli es. Let it be observed, also, that at the inauguration of the last Parliament, the employes were confirmed in their tacos, and have, therefore, a right to enjoy the advantrgcs arising therefrom during the entire quiuquennium. Can it, then, be assened that the citizens concurred spontaneously in augmenting the number of signatures affixed to addresses under such circumstances ? Is it not evident that violence was done to the freedom of opinion, and that such repeated acts corrupt the pevle, teaching and authorizing them to practise lying, and to a'test, in opposition to their conscience, things which are not true ? Hence it is, that, restrained by the unlimited power of the police, the people cannot obey the impulse of their will, even in seeking redress for but a portion of tli,eir . numerous grievances. It for this reason that they dare not, although privately, give their signatures even on occasions the most lawful and obligatory. If the people wish to address an avowal of gratitude to their august Protectress, unless the whole thing is under the direction of the agents of the Government, to sign it is a dime, and all who take part in the affair become, henceforth, marked men.  The dismissals of which we have spoken are used also for the purpose of intimida ieg those passive individuals who readily yield to authori y ; as it is whispered that a new address is to be prep trod in favour of Sir Howard. Sir Howard Douglas has, however, committed rather a blunder by quoting the opinion of Washington. Every body knows what principles that great man possessed and supported, and what are the principles entertained by Sir Howard, principles diametrically opposed to those of his own couutry and Government, and leading him to invade, as absolute monarch, the constitutional powers of the lonian Islands. We may, therefore, rightfully conclude, that those whom Sir Howard characterizes as ctemies of the lonian Government are, on the contrary, the true friends of that Government, regarding it in the light of its true constitutional principles, and not in a spirit of despotism ; and that Sir Howard, in persecuting all who retain a s.thgle spark of liberalism, persecutes those who are net less the friends of his own, than of the lonian Government, such as it ouglit to be.  I have the honour to be, yours, &c. Colonial Club, April 3, "41' AN lONIAN. * The opinion, saiNdottoiebeetotakceaini dfridomateas f:rLoifeffioefe.AlaAshslinonggton," written by 31. Guizot, the French 'Alinister, is to the following effect:—" as I shall have the honour of administering the Government, I shall newer confer any post, however small its importance, on any man whose political principles are contrary to the measures of the Government, as I am persuaded that a political suicide would be committed by acting differently."