The Press.
London, England, 1854-01-21 00:00:00

JANUARY 21, 1854.

Greek writers, Sir Edward proceeded to give his opinion,
that from modern as well as from the older Athens
streiuued the lights of philosophy and learning. The hun.
baronet concluded in these terms It would ill become
me to enter into the special grounds of debate now at issue;
but permit me to remind you that, while pressing with
year
accustomed spirit for whatever you may deem to
be equal rights, you would be untrue to your own fame
if you did not feel that the true majesty of Scotland
needs neither the pomp of courts nor the blazonry of
heralds. What though Holyrood be desolate—what though
no king holds revel in its halls ?—the empire of Scotland
had but extended its rangeblended with England,
under the daughter of your ancient kings, peoples the
Australian wilds that lay beyond the grasp of Columbus,
and rills over the Indian realm that eluded the grasp of
Alexander. (Loud applause.) That empire does not suf-
fice for you. It may decay—it may perish. More grand
is the domain you have won over human thought, and
identified with the eternal progress of intellect and free.
Inn. (Ileuen•ed applause.) From the charter of that
domain, no ceremonial can displace the impression of your
zeal. This is the empire that you will adorn in peace ;
this is the empire that, if need be, you will defend in war.
It k not here that I would provoke one difference in po-
lities, opinion; but surely yon, the sons of Scotland, who
bold both fame and power upon the same tenure as that
which secures civilisation from lawless force—aurely you
ale not the men who could contemplate with folded arms
the return of the dark ages, and quietly render up the
haven that commands Asia on the one side and threatens
Europe on the other, to the barbaric ambition of some
Alaric of the north. (Laud applause.) But, whether in
reluctant war or in happier peace, and in your various
callings, continue to maintain for Scotland her sublime
alliance with every power of mind that can defend or
instruct, soothe or exalt humanity.'" (Sir Edward re-
sumed his seat amid loud and continued applause.)

At the conclusion Lord Robertson moved " That
the societies tender their warnest thanks to their
president for his visit, and for his unrivalled ad-
dress ;" which proposal was warmly responded to.
Sir E. B. Lytton returned thanks.

MANCHESTER AND THE STRIKES.
THE annual meeting of the Manchester Commercial
Association, which came off on Monday, was attended
by an assemblage of more than ordinary numbers.
The past twelve months had been busy and memo-
rable in their trading aspects, while the opening year
held forth many promises and threatened various
perils which were of absorbing interest to a manu-
facturing community. The task of commenting upon
these matters fell upon Mr. Aspinall Turner, pre-
sident of the association, whose address has acquired
almost the importance of an official manifesto from
the head-quarters of manufacture, touching all ques-
tions relating thereto. His chief attention was, how-
ever, bestowed upon the still pending strikes among
the factory operators. On this subject lie said :
" Perhaps no more important subject could be introduced
at the present time to a party of intelligent gentlemen like
those he saw around him, or to the operatives themselves,
if they would put aside their prejudices and passions, and
calmly listen to what might be told them in a friendly spirit.
This country had risen to its present manufacturing pros-
perity in consequence of a few advantages easily enume-
rated : in consequence of the existence of capital and
enterprise on the partof her manufacturers and merchants,
of cheep fuel, and the industrious habits of her hard-
working operatives. If these elements of advantage were
not maintained and made to work together in harmony,
the manufacturing prosperity of this country was at au
end. (lear,hear.) if any element was wanting, what
was the consequence ? Look at Ireland. In Ireland one
of these elements had been wanting. Capital had been
wanting, and labour had had to depart and seek employ- '
ment elsewhere. Starvation and misery had rapidly driven
the people to seek an asylum in other lands. Capital was ,
now being introduced, and Ireland would undoubtedly rise
to what her geographical position entitled her to be—one
of the finest positions on the face of the globe. This was
one of the wonderful effects of capital, aided, as it had
been, by the industry, energy, anti skill of those by whom
it had been introduced. If we look back at the history of
these the Lancashire districts we should see the source of
that capital. We *should be made aware that some of the most
eminent firms contained men who had risen from the ranks,
and that such men, by their industry, energy, and skill, were
raising still higher that capital by which the trade of this
district was carried forward. (Hear.) But to be success-
ful capital must be respected by the labourer, and the
labourer must be respected by the capitalist. But lately
there seems to have sprung u.p sort of jealousy—a kind
of antagonist feeling, among the operatives against capi-
talists, under the impression that they were obtaining all
the benefits arising from trade, while the operative was
unduly rewarded, or crushed down. That masters had
aemininlated money was true : they would not have in-
vested their money in lar;sl establishments, or devoted
their own industry to the ermagement of them, unless
they had the opportunity the.. 1.7 of accumulating more
money. But the operatives were mistaken if they thought
they had not their share of the advantages of such a
tailin. It was an error to suppose that because a warder
Id* have made 3,0001. or 4,0001. a year by his manufac-
legs that he owed his fortune to the operatives. It had
Oft done by embarking money in it—by giving assiduous
attention to its management, and by skill ; and, while he
has been doing so, it must be observed that he had not
only been benefiting himself, but he had been placing com-
fort within the reach of thousands of workmen. (AP-
value.) By doing so he had placed such comforts within