The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-04 00:00:00

MR. GLADSTONE'S PARIS SPEECH.

The subjoined is published by Galignani as a full
report of the speech delivered by Mr. Gladstone at
the dinner recently given to him by the Sociati
&Economic Politique of Paris :

When I examine myself I feel some hesitation in believ-
ing that I have done enough to merit the reception you
have given me. I have endeavoured to fulfil my duty
towards my country and towards humanity ; bat in the
great reforms recently accomplished, the benefit of which
the world is beginning to reap, I have only been • sewn.
dary instrument —a devoted auxiliary. Ascribe the honour
of it to the two men without whom commercial liberty
would still for a long time have been consigned to the
aspirations of generous spirits, and the theories of science;
to the two men who opened a new era for international
relations—the Emperor Napoleon and Cobden. The Empe-
ror, by the elevated grasp of his intellect and the unoon-
querable energy of his will, found means to overthrow
obstacles apparently insurmountable ; he transformed
into a splendid reality what might have previously seemed
only a dream ; Cobden, whose sagacious genius was
united to a great spirit of moderation, also did much ;
Cobden, whose pure morals, rectitude of conduct, warmth
of heart, and superiority of intelligence have contributed
so largely to the good of the human race. I cannot recall
to mind without deep emotion that noble existence, that
intellect so vigorous and so persevering, to which I am
proud of having served as an ally. Ile had already
acted a noble part in combating want, in evoking the
most efficacious method for raising the level of the gene-
ral well-being. But Cobden's object was far grander;
he aimed at uniting all peoples together by s moral tie—
he aspired to give • solid base to the peace of the world.
To emancipate states from the heavy charges of war;
to obviate as much as possible the sad effusion of human
blood when the sacred interests of liberty and independ-
ence are not at stake ; to show that the greatness of na.
tions lies elsewhere than in the enlargement of territory ;
to suppress amongst populations the incessant cause of
collisions generated by false ideas of wealth and by com.
mercial jealousy—such was the work of Cobden. Ile
knew well that material progress is worth nothing without
moral advancement ; and every day fresh benefits are seen
to reconcile with the principles of free trade even its most
obstinate adversaries. The history of the past in this
matter was saddened by great mistakes and real
delinquencies ; England had been the first to commit
them, and it was only just that she should be the first
to repair them. Do not suppose, however, that this
undertaking was exempt amongst us from difficulties, and
free from inveterate prejudices. Voices of lamentation
are still sometimes heard on the other side of the Channel,
pretending that France has gained more than England by
the treaty of commem. If such be the fact, far from
finding in it a subject of complaint, I congratulate you on
the fact with all my touL Some, indeed, may gain less,
and others more, but the essential point is that nobody
loses. The amount of profit may vary, but it is always
mutual. The work is being completed without precipita-
tion or imprudence. Tho benefits reaped from it are no
longer confined to the two neighbouring countries which
were the first to set a great example ; the whole world is
gathering the fruit. Prohibition and protective duties--
these two idols of the past—are crumbling to pieces on all
sides, and unjuAt privilege has received its death-stroke.
To abolish prohibitions is good ; to diminish protective
rights is better still ; and to suppress them altogether will
be to reach the acme of perfection. I have had the happi-
ness of removing • vast number of duties from the tariff
of England, which has beheld those really levied reduced
to seven ; out of these there being one which, however
trivial it may be, is destined to disappear—l mean the
small duty still existing on wheat. The further we advance
in this direction the more we gain. In the track of com-
mercial liberty, as in that of virtue, the commencement is
the most difficult and the last efforts arc the most
fruitful. Our labours must tend to efface even
the last vestige of protective right, and only to
preserve taxes of a purely fiscal nature, which, without
creating any injurious preferences, may supply • source of
profitable revenue. The mission of our epoch is to eman-
cipate capital and labour from all subjection, by main-
taining to all the protection of social right, equity, fidelity,
and sincerity in transactions. To develop intelligence, to
improve produce, to multiply the munes of the genteel