an error is committed, or an injury done, there is no one responsible for the consequences;-abuse, or contempt, follows the failure-but abuse and contempt are poor substitutes for irreparable injury. The lengthened existence of a cabinet, composed of men bred up in and influenced by opinions, become firm, because not to be moved by the opposition of the most popular eloquence that ever harangued within the walls of St. Stephen, cannot but be a fair, just, and impartial ground of national confidence in the King's cabinet. Perhaps, we shall place "The State of the Nation" in a comprehensive and full light, by making a quotation from a pamphlet of no mean tact, which brings together all the miseries of a period not remoter than 1820; and which are enumerated as grounds of opposition to the principles and measures of the then administration. The then administration was composed of the same Secretaries of State, with the exception of Mr. Canning, as now; and he, upon entering office, declared, that he found in his office a certain line of policy which had served as a guide to to his predecessor, and from which he intended. not to depart; therefore, it may be said, that, in spirit, the administration of 1820 is the same as that of the present moment. MISERIES of 1820, as described by the writer alluded to. * A cabinet divided against itself upon almost all the grand measures which the altered condition of society and of the empire demands. A revenue not only unequal to any sufficient provision for the vast obligations of the state, but daily falling away, whilst it presses with double severity on decreased production and de creased value. The expedients of finance drawn from the demoralization of the people, and from the ill understood suggestions of abler opponents, and rendered inefficient by the mutilations of the financier himself. ENGLAND in 1824, as now situated. The Catholic question is, by the consent of the cabinet, not treated as a cabinet measure, and each member of the privy council takes his own course. The lord chancellor has said in the house of lords, that the cabinet was never more unanimous. When Mr. Canning came into office, he followed the line of policy marked out for him by the minister, and which was not changed upon his becoming the secretary for foreign affairs. A revenue which, after having undergone considerable reduction, by taking off half of the assessed and many other minor taxes, shews an excess of receipt beyond expenditure of six millions, seven hundred and ten thousand, nine hundred and eighty-four pounds, ten shillings and five-pence farthing; whilst production is rapidly increasing, accompanied by a steady demand which ensures profit; and even the agriculturists are contented. The malt and beer duties materially lowered, and the beer trade opened to competition; and laws passed against illicit distillation. The lottery abolished after the present tickets are decided. A clear headed and efficient, and frank chancellor of the exchequer, in the room of Lord Bexley. • This column read consecutively, will give the quotation as it follows in the original. This column serves a double purpose, as answering its opponent's charges, and as exhibiting the present improved state of the country. D an error is committed, or an injury done, there is no one responsible for the consequences;-abuse, or contempt, follows the failure-but abuse and contempt are poor substitutes for irreparable injury. The lengthened existence of a cabinet, composed of men bred up in and influenced by opinions, become firm, because not to be moved by the opposition of the most popular eloquence that ever harangued within the walls of St. Stephen, cannot but be a fair, just, and impartial ground of national confidence in the King's cabinet. Perhaps, we shall place "The State of the Nation" in a comprehensive and full light, by making a quotation from a pamphlet of no mean tact, which brings together all the miseries of a period not remoter than 1820; and which are enumerated as grounds of opposition to the principles and measures of the then administration. The then administration was composed of the same Secretaries of State, with the exception of Mr. Canning, as now; and he, upon entering office, declared, that he found in his office a certain line of policy which had served as a guide to to his predecessor, and from which he intended not to depart; therefore, it may be said, that, in spirit, the administration of 1820 is the same as that of the present moment. MISERIES of 1820, as described by the writer alluded to. * A cabinet divided against itself upon almost all the grand measures which the altered condition of society and of the empire demands. A revenue not only unequal to any sufficient provision for the vast obligations of the state, but daily falling away, whilst it presses with double severity on decreased production and decreased value. The expedients of finance drawn from the demoralization of the people, and from the ill understood suggestions of abler opponents, and rendered inefficient by the mutilations of the financier himself. ENGLAND in 1824, as now situated. The Catholic question is, by the consent of the cabinet, not treated as a cabinet measure, and each member of the privy council takes his own course. The lord chancellor has said in the house of lords, that the cabinet was never more unanimous. When Mr. Canning came into office, he followed the line of policy marked out for him by the minister, and which was not changed upon his becoming the secretary for foreign affairs. A revenue which, after having undergone considerable reduction, by taking off half of the assessed and many other minor taxes, shews an excess of receipt beyond expenditure of six millions, seven hundred and ten thousand, nine hundred and eighty-four pounds, ten shillings and five-pence farthing; whilst production is rapidly increasing, accompanied by a steady demand which ensures profit; and even the agriculturists are contented. The malt and beer duties materially lowered, and the beer trade opened to competition; and laws passed against illicit distillation." The lottery abolished after the present tickets are decided. A clear headed and efficient, and frank chancellor of the exchequer, in the room of Lord Bexley. • This column read consecutively, will give the quotation as it follows in the original. This column serves a double purpose, as answering its opponent's charges, and as exhibiting the present improved state of the country. D New taxes proposed, yet adding nothing to the old. Agriculture reduced to despe ration. Commerce uncertain, perplexed, and paralized by contradictory laws. Manufactures exposed to fluctuations, the causes of which have neither been apprehended or understood by the govern ment. The funds bolstered up by the want of more profitable employment for capital; yet still stultifying by their fall or stagnation, the predictions of the minister of finance. The cost of maintaining the poor, even in a time of cheap subsistence, raised to an amount unparalleled in the annals of the world, though private benevolence was never so universal or so active. The public mind alarmed and exasperated by the display of naked power, and by the array of faction. Many taxes repealed wholly, some in part; and yet an increase of revenue arising from extending consumption. Agriculture revived and satisfied, and enabled to borrow of the Bank of England at four per cent. Commerce never so flourishing, and inspirited by several important acts, which afford reciprocity of trade, and remove many restrictions from the navigation-acts. Manufactures in unexampled activity, expecting and awaiting new markets; and consuls sent out to the South American provinces to protect the mercantile interests. Capital so abundant, that though many extensive foreign loans have been raised in the market-many of the funds are at par-consols at the moment of writing 91%. The 5 per cents reduced to 4, and the 4 expected to be reduced to 31, and all the predictions of a rise fulfilled. The poor reduced on an average throughout the kingdom, about 40 per cent.-labour in demand-the lower classes of the community, the sinews of the state, in a most happy and moral state, rejecting all the poison of blasphemy and sedition, and encouraging numerous publications of an useful, valuable, and instructive tendency. The public mind tranquil and confiding-an increase of the army for distant purposes, agreed to even by the most prejudiced opponents of a standing force-not a faction throughout the empire. |
