The Express.
London, England, 1847-09-21 00:00:00

FREE TRADE BANQUET IN BRUSSELS.

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BRUSSILS, SEPT. 19.—A grand banquet was given
yesterday evening to the foreign members sat the Free Trade
Amociauon of Belgium—Count Arrivabene, one of the vice-
presidents, in the chair. On the conclusion of the dinner,
which was *treed up in the noble hall (formerly occupied by
the Philharmonic Society), the chairman announced the
first tout of the evening, " Commercial Liberty." He re-
marked that it was M. Lehardi de Beaulieu who first con-
ceived the happy idea of assembling in Brussels a congress of
economists. An appeal had been made to parties who had
diatinguished themselves in Europe by their study of poli-
tical economy. He was happy that that appeal bad been
responded te, and that the protective system, as well as the
free trade one, had been discussed with equal liberty.
(Cheers.) The latter system had triumphed at the con-
gress. " Let u hope," said the chairman, in conclusion,
" that the nations represented in the congress will become
favourable to free trade, and that we shall soon see them en-
tering. upon a new era of commercial liberty." (Great
cheeriest.)
M. V. FAIDEIS, in proposing the health of the foreign
members of the congress, observed, that if the Free Trade
Association of Belgium had any chance of prospering for the
I future, it would be indebted any
it to the aid of the eminent
men who had been pleased to attend the congress, and who
had laid down and discussed principles the application of
which would ameliorate the condition of the working classes.
(Cheers.) Id. Fabler then complimented, in very apposite
and felicitous terms, the Due d'liarcourt, M. Ai-Lesson
Duperron, M. Donoyer, M. Wolowski, and M. Horace
Say, who (Le said) in the science of political economy,
showed himself to be the worthy pupil of his (M. Say's)
illustrious father. M. Faider neat referred to Col. Thomp-
son as a " veteran of free-trade, a man who, during 30 years,
had passed his life in defending and propagating liberty in a
social as wall as a political point of view." (Loud cheers.)
To Dr. Bowring, whose powerful voice had resounded
amongst the Belgians, as it resounded a short time ago on
the other side of the channel, and whose solid asgaments,
which caused the triumph of commercial liberty in England,
are now well known in this country—arguments which show
in what manner the muses may be acted upon"—(great
cheering); and to Mr. Wilson, the director of the Econo-
mist.," who has rendered so much service to science." (Ap-
plause.) The roast was enthusiastically responded to.
The Due D'IIAIICOVILT returned thanks. In the course
of his address he observed that Belgium was one of the most
intelligent, the most commercial, and freest actions of the
world. Never could a better place be chosen for a congress
than Brussels. Belgium had always been coveted by the great
powers of Europe, and now, by an admirable arrangement of
Providence, she was destined to conquer her conquerors
(cheers), to present to them tho standard of commercial
liberty, under which all the nations of the earth will, for a
certainty, be yet ranged. (Renewed applause.) Next to
the gospel itself, free trade was the most civiliuing of ele-
ments. " You are aware," continued the duke, that in
1789, a revolution was effected which made some noise in
the world. That revolution had in view the destruction of
privileges, but not the creation of new ones. Now the gen-
tlemen who sell cloth and cotton should not have privileges
which are refused to the ancient gen tilshooones. (Laughter,
and cheers). The former are even more dangerous than the
latter, for the ancient eentiisitommes were at least subje ct to
the law., but the new category make the laws, and gene-
rally to their own advantage. It is the abolition of those
privileges that we demand. (Applause.)
Cul. THOMPsoN (who, on rising, was greeted with loud
cheers), said : A congress, gentlemen, is a formidable affair,
but a dinner is the daily business of all men. (Laughter and
&sem) On that account a littleanore liberty than usual
should be allowed at a dialler. 'Gentlemen, I have been
comneissioned to propose a toast, viz., " To all Associations."
The field is certai sly a vast one, but my impression is, that par-
ticular reference is made to associations for the propagation of
free trade. (Cheers.) The institutions of England and Belgium
admit the principle and practice of freedom of association;
and I trust that those institutions will be adopted in every '
country in Europe. Englishmen love and respect Belgium,
and are ready to defend it against every unjust aggression.
But we desire to avoid the chance of any aggression, of any
collision ; and what better means of effecting that object
could we have than such peaceful associations as the one we I
have held; associations tending to destroy every day more
and more the germs of war 1 (Cheers.) Ii is at meetings
like the present one that the basis of perpetual peace may be
laid. The tout was duly honoured.
Mr. WoLowsni proposed the next toast, "The Working
Men," which was drunk amidst prolonged cheers.
M. RITTINoiIetIIEN (protectionist) alter stating that all
who assisted at the congress entertained the most lively sym-
pathy for the working men, proposed, in appropriate terms,
the health of the preeideut, M. de Brouckere, which was
drunk with even more than the usual Belgian honours.
M. SeutNoeit (a native of Holland) remarked that when
the gentlemen, who assisted at the congress, returned to
their homes, they were bound to do all in their power to
promote free-trade. (Cheers.) War had been talked of,
but he felt convinced that if sovereigns were foolish enough
to think of it, the people were wise enough to prevent the
execution of the idea. (Applause.)
The following toasts were duly responded to :—" The
Hely Alliance of Nations." (proposed by Dr. Bowring),
" The Liberty of Nations," and " Pope Pius the 9th." The I
lest tout wee drunk amidst the most enthusiastic cheering,
which lasted during several minutes.
Cot.. THONtreON "as the descendant of the most Protes-
tant of Protestants" said be could not refrain from stating
what hopes were entertained in England with respect to the
noble enterprises of the illustrious pontiff. All men were
" papists " when they saw the Pope take in hand the gene-
ral interests of the human race. (Great cheering.)
The foilowing were the concluding toasts '• To Belgian
hospitality," (by Mr. Swart) ; " Richard Cobden and F. I
Baatiat ;" " M. Rittingbaosen •" " Sir R. Peel " (enthusias-
tically received) ; and " The Chairman."