Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-06-30 00:00:00

TAR NORTHERN TIMES, THURSDAY, JUNE 30 tsro

land. The address which would now be read, was unani- who was certainly as despotic as Napoleon is, I think the
measly carried by that meeting, and signed by the chairman. Italians may be excused for lending a too credulous ear to
Mr. Ryley then read the address. the promises from the other side of Alps to assist them
rof h
Mr. Cobden said : Gentlemen, having just stepped ashore to geto Austrians.ndoftheisthe opinion lt
may
, t not
those
bo
se
eon
uninteresting
the
other
from the steamer which conveyed me
efrom America, having
t sidea to '
know what
of the water. • I am bound to say, that wherever
had a scßiaitiat diftleidt although hot lengthened pasiage ; been, amongst all classes, whether in the UnitectSeatel r
and--being,-myself one of -the very- worst efesailorsein the in--Canada; -I-have-found -bat onenoptnion, and thithVie
sympathy. with the Italians, arid hearty good wishes for t 11
world, fur even the ladies laughed. at my sufferings, I was
success of the French :armaments. (Hear, hear.) At th. 4
so much worse than any other at sea —(laughter) --my head
same*time, it is coupled with the belief that therd
is.still swimming with the effects of the voyage, and being is nothine, in the strife that is now raging in that blood.
utterly unacquainted with the state of politics in the, country, arena, which canin anywise prove inimical to the interest.
I of Eneland. I have also heard it remarked that they leo
having not seen a newspaper until the pilot Came On board;
for ,twenty-six days, you will at once, think, admit that with dread to the amount of preparation that is being" mad
in England,--(hear, hear)—to what is said by those
it would be presumption of me to attempt to offer any gentlemen speaking ,in public for the purpose of preparing
lengthened remarks to you upon this occasion. We had against eventualities. that, is the word which_l belieye
used. The opinion in the United States is that the war
difficulties, as I have stated, and troubles in our voyage. We between the two great powers on the Continent does not
encountered great masses of ice, which detained us twenty- inyolve danger to England more than if those two powers
tour hours, and we were for half a day in the midst of ice- were at peace, and each keeping their standing armies unem-:
bergs. It was very cold; the teirpetature descended to a ployed. I once heard a simile upon that in America. • When.
winter climate. I may say, however, that if I had landed speaking thatssupvoenela
subject
saw w
ectit wtaso said"ifl
w were aot
us
sea, in
feela
from the midst of these, icebergs, the warm and cordial much more at ease if pirates,ey were fighting'
reception which met me here would have soon restored me with each other than if they were standing aloof ready to
to a summer temperature. (Applause.) Gentlemen, the fire on me." (Hear, hear, and laughter.) I hope we shall
address which Mr. Brown. has bean so kind as to present me keep the power in our own hands, and that the government
of this country will so act that-foreign countries- may know
with, and which I value the more because of its having been that on this occasion we will licit alloW the blood of England to
presented. through the medium of my much esteemed friend, •be wasted for. 'foreign purPoses or objects. (Hear, hear.)
alludes to the receptionwhichlhavemet with in America, and Now, gentlemen, there has been a reference made in your
as this is the first occasion after teaching my native shores kind address—and you will forgive me for the imperfect
manner in which I.have touched upon these topics—for a
upon which I have an opportunity of saying one word upon copy of the address has not been furnished to me indeed,
that subject, I should be wanting to myself if I did not it could not have been, and I was not, therefore, prepared
take this occasion for saying that the kindnesses—the to make a reply, such as I misf,ht have made, after considera-
touching kindnesses—and the numberless courtesies which tion ;_ you will therefore. pardon any omis4ons I may make.
But with regard to one subject to which the address alludes,
I have met with in America, in all ranks, from the highest that of my taking office in the- Government of Lord
to the lowest —if I may use the epithet of ranks in a Palmerston, I really feel, to, use an expression of our good
country where there is an assumed equality—have left an American friends' I really feel so badly posted up on our
impressien-upon my heart which will Only-be effaced by
ittlittsicosbhecerte,. tlttart, ctitilieitpeilliontacbalemteo
ofnoribno
board,
ogoinwiointre
death (A.lylause.) It seemed to me that the river, I) had no idea of anything that had happened for
easecunrerneravenneninesemettreniome - the- less I had occasion twenty-six days,.. rlearn now; for the first time, that Lord
to feel myself abroad, and the more I found myself among Derby's Government has been overthrown; and •anothei
friends. I was not aware, certainly; of the number of my Government has been formed in its place. Of the principles
upon which that Government has been based, or how it is
friends until I went to America ; and I take this opportunity formed, I am entirely ignorant,. except what . I
of tendering to those on thdother side of the Atlantic, from have gathered from the fragmentary conversation
whom I have had such kind and • unlocked-for attentions, I have had since I came into this house. I am, therefore,
the warmest. tribute of my gratitude. (Cheers.) Gentlemen,
with regard to the appreciation of the free-trade principles, 'uiteimprepared to say anything on the subject. Nothing
could surprise me more than when I found myself mixed up-
in the Contemplated arrangements. I' have a letter in my
to which you have alluded, I take it that the kind reception pocket from TAM Palmerston, written very corteously,
which I have met with in America; particularly in -the offering me an appointment to the Board of Trade. I think
to answer that letter is due to me. in the first pin' e - (Hear,
hear.) But I say, that the answer I send to that letter will
remoter Western States, which are more and more devoted
to the production of 'grains and provisions adapted to the be founded entirely upon what I believe.to be the interests
European • market, may be, regarded as -a proof of the of the public. On this queetion you will be good enough
manner in which , those+ measure'shavo been appreciated to bear in mind, that in a case of this kind, the party him-
in those remote regions. (Cheers.) I have not the self interested, is the only one who can form a correct judge-
ment, or come to a right conclusion on the question, because
least doubt in the world that the views which were always it is he alone that bears the responsibility of the step he
expressed by nay friend on my left, in regard_ to the effects takes. However kindly friends may
.advise one course or
which would be produced in 'America by a repeal of our the other, they cannot afterwards share his responsibility,
and, therefore, he ought, in duty to himself as well as to the
corn laws, hive been amply reali,sed, and that we have made public, to be - veryedeliberate and careful in' coming to a
strong and fast friends, and bound them in ties of interest decision on the matter. I shall say no more on that subject
in the 'remotest regions of that country, who feel now that than that, so . far .as my humble judgment enables me
they have a benefit in peaceful relations with this ,country, to decide, I will take the course which I believe will bemost
conducive to the interests of the public. And in doing so, I
which will ever make them allies and partisans of the cause feel that amongst gentlemen such as I have the honour now to
of peace between America and England. (Cheers.) Indeed, see around -me, who have shown me such kind, and, indeed, I
from the opportunities I have had in' America of observing may sey, undeserved .welceme--- (no, re)HI feel that I shall
the tendencies of opinion there, although, I was not sanguine
illeave a candid and friendly interpretation in whatever may
the course which I shall be bound to take. I sincerelyy
upon the subject when I went out, yet I may say that I thank' you,- gentlemen, for the kindness which you have
have Come back with the belief that there is shown towards- ; and I thank you; Mr. Brown, • and
a more cordial feeling of attachment between the old and congratulate you on the good health which you are
I- am sorry to find that you have removed your-
selfthe new country, than the ordinary channels of public enjoying. from
the troubles of public life, although I see you have
opinion would enable us to. appreciate. • (Hear, hear.) not ceased to pursue your path of usefulness. I thank you,
America and England seem to me to occupy the same relation gentlemen, again, for the kind and warm -reception which •
to each other Which, it is said, Goldsmith had towards Dr. you have given me, and beg to withdraw.
Before Air Cobden had retired,
Johnson. The gruff old
.doctor :liked to scold Goldsmith Mr. Gladstone stepped forward, and stated that the
himself, but he would never allovi anybody else to scold him FINANCIAL REFORM ASSOCIATION
without taking his part. (Hear, hear, and. laughter.) I had entrusted him, as one of a deputation, with an address
have no doubt in the world, from all that I have seen in my which had been read at the meeting that adopted the •
travels the -:United States, that were it
with his (Mr. possible that address already presented. Mr. Jeffery would now read
England could find herself in a
.position where she was Cobden's) permission, that address
.
hard pressed by enemies in Europe, give her but a good Mr.` Jeffery then read the address.
cause, • and :give- her the . necessity -for help, and I have Mr. Cobden. said, he had long had the opportunity of
not the least doubt in the world, from all I heard in all observing the sound, but somewhat bold, and lie might say,
quarters of the United States, 'that •nothing could prevent, audacious' declaration of principles by the' Liyerpoel Finan-
i the ulation of the United cial Reform Association. He.believed them to. be sound in
n case of such an emergency, pep principle—as sound as the principles for the repeal of the
States—the great bulk, at least, of the population of the Corn Laws. (Hear, hear). He believed' that the man,
United States—from hurrying to the rescue of the old or the body of men that should be able to accomplish
the abolition of customs and excise in this, or any other
mother country. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Ide not say
this' with any idea that we are likely to need help. (Hear, country, would be the greatest benefactor that country
ever saw or could possibly receive. And, although he might
hear.) I think England is strong enough to hold her own ; at once say, and he said it without at all contemplating any
and it is the opinion 'of • America that She is -well able to prospective embarrassment from being President of the
hold her own in a_just cause, against any, enemies ; but lupon the
Board of. Trade—(laughter)—that he looked
adoption of
that i
of those principles at present as impracticable, and
Mention it as a fact which came under my obser- he observed n the address the Financial Reform Asso-
yation from all quarters. I never met an exception elation guarded themselves by saying that they wished the
to the expression of opinion in that direction when- principles to be carried • out as soon as might be, yet, on
revelving. The subject in 'his own mind, he had frequently
ever the subject was mooted- ;and I, 'therefore, mention
been in doubt whether. they were not all under the same
it merely as a fact 'nothing under my observation, but delusion with regard to the question of direct and indirect
without wishing that it should be in the slightest degree taxation which 'Sir Robert 'Peel was under with.regard to the
applied to the circumstances of the present time. . (Hear, practicability of apPlying,the freenrnele principles as between
hear.) I agree with the address just read, that we ought, protection and free trade. So far as lie could understand
in the case of this_ war, to preserve a 'strict neutrality. , the workings 'of the mind of Sir Robert Peel—and it was
(Cries of hear, hear.) And, gentlemen, on reading, as I his business, as sitting opposite to him for many years, to
have done, - in
,America, the papers. from Eagland, • and watch the proceesses which went on in the judgment and
looking at them perhaps with more calmness than could be views of an individual in whose decision he felt there was so
clone lientliese who lived on thee spot, and in the midst of much involved it always appeared to him that Sir Robert
the , daily struggte of politics—on reading, the English Peel was, from the' first, as good a free-trader as any of
papers, and the reports of the speeches of our public men them. He believed in Adam Smith and free-trade just as
upon the subject of neutrality, I must say -that I found much as he took sound views on currency ; but he had got
expressions in their declarations of the principles of neutra- the impression that it was impossible to carry out the
which seemed to me to
,be rather calculated to throw principles of free-trade without involving, as great an amount
a doubt upon the strength of the principle-which•you advo- of injury to the protective interest as to render the thing en-
cate; and which I think, deserves to be- commented upon, tirely hopeless for-the attempt of any wise and prudent mi=
although I confess my
,head is not in a state to deal with' nister. If, then, diScussions in Parliament did anything, he
that ,or any other controversy, at present. My opinion is, thought it was that they tended to convince Sir Robert Peel
that if we wish to keep neutral, we have the. power to keep that they were not only practicable, but that they might be
neutral. . (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I believe that we are applied practically without involving such serious derange-
quite as well able to be neutral in this European struggle, ments 'as 'he had previously dreaded. He Was not quite
I
as the people of the United States are. (Hear, hear.) sure that many financial reforms were not in the first stage
know that is the opinion of every intelligent man in' the of Sir Robert Peel's mind; as to taxation. He did
United States, with whom- I have conversd,. But I per not put this forward as a thing which he would
,ceive that in the speeches of our public men, to which I have bring in in the House of Commons, but he put
referred, the speakers always spoke of our preserving it forward as a matter of doubt in his own mind
neutrality as.long as we are able to preserve it. I perceive whether, if they could sweep the customs and
in some cases the phrase used that we should -provide excise off, and substitute the whole amount of
against all emergencies, for there is no knowing what taxation which they required to levy on property, bringing
.events may turn up. I again find it said that we may in labour, probably in the most moderate form, by a capita-
be inveigled into the strife. Why, this is the old story tion tax, as they do in America, which is a mere nominal
rover again with which we 'drifted into the war • before. duty—he was not quite sure that, if that were done, there
(Hear, hear, and ' cheers.) It seems to me that the would not be such an increased growth of wealth in pro-
English people have taken the initiative on this occasion, perty in this island in consequence of their having
and have, probably for the first time in the history - converted it into a free port—in fact, giving England
of the country, taken a bold stand - upon the all the start that Singapore and Hamburgh
only safe ground, that is, of declaring beforehand derived from the adoption of free trade there—he was not
to the Government of the country that they will -clear that at the end of ten years every owner of property
maintain neutrality (hear, hear, and cheers), that they will would not. find that he was so much the better for the
maintain neutrality in all cases, except the safety and the increased value of property ; that railway shares, in conse-
interests of this country be directly menaced. (Hear, hear.) "sitience 'of the increase- of traffic, were so increased in value ;
And Ido not flinch from stating what I mean by being that land, that precious commodity which cannot be in-
directly menaced. I will take the case of Germany. I creased n extent, had become so immensely more valuable,
observe, on reading the papers, at a remote distance from I owing to the growth of wealth in this great island port. He
the scene of operations,. that there is a great movement of was not quite sure that when the owner of property made up
troops, and a great clamour among certain parts of the his accounts at the end of ten years, that it would not be
population of Germany for war with France, in defence of found that he was the greatest gainer of anybody by the
Austria ; and it seems to me that such States as Bavaria, adoption of the system. Of course, he always assumed that
and possibly Hanover, and some others of the most back- if they had their taxation levied by direct impost, they would
ward- States of Germany, are most anxious to precipitate not spend 70 -or 80 millions annually, but would think 70
that great confederacy into the European strife. Now, I or 80 millions quite enough; and upon that question
should like the people of England to give that portion of he had some' facts thrown in his way while travel-
the German population to understand distinctly that if they ling in the United States, which made him frequently
commence an attack upon Louis Napoleon this country revolve the matter in his own mind. He found, for instance,
will not come to help them if they are attacked in return. that in America, although the taxation for the general
(Hear, hear, and cheers.) With regard to the war itself, Foderal Government, amounting to the tax of fourteen or
gentlemen, I may say that Ido not look with so much fifteen millions sterling ner annum—say rather from twelve
hopefulness as some persons do to the effects of the war to fifteen millions sterling r annum—although that tax was
upon the destinies of Italy and the Italian people, but I levied by customs duties only, with the exception of a small
must be allowed, at the same time, to say that my sync- amount accruing from the sale of public land e yet all the
pathies are wholly with that people. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) internal expenditure of the state was levied by a direct impost
I think, when youhave a race superior, as I believe that race to upon property, and a small capitation tax which took in
be, to the race which is domineering over them, which is I labour, amounting to some five or six shillings a year, as
governing them against their own consent—so much so that the ease might be. On travelling into the interior he was
if the population of the whole country could be polled, they astonished at the amount of direct taxation which some
would be found to be 99-out of every 100 against Austrian individuals paid. He remembered in Cineinnatti looking
rule at all in Italy—l believe such being the case, that at the cellars of a gentlemen who grew the new wine which
our sympathies, if we are true to our own prineipleS, had become so celebrated on the banks of the Ohio. He
ought to be with that race. (Hear,' hear, and loud was known to laim to be one of the richest men in Cincin-
cheers.) And, I say, moreover, gentlemen, that natti, the
'proprietor of these vineyards. The gentleman
if we were placed in the positionjn which the Italians are, was not in, but his partner told him (Mr. Cobden)
we should not be very scrupulous as to what source we 1 ,leee that gentleman • paid last year in direct
m m 0
might get assistance fro' get rid of the Austrians.
as the Americen W
1 nptoe: the services of Louis cq X 4 k-tia taxation, towards the expenses of the Statn
VI. of Ohio, the county in which he lived, and the city bt
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Cincinnati, an amount which he was almost afraid to repeat
—an amount of 35,000 dollars, or £7,000. The other
amounts he had heard of as being paid by the richer men
iu other towns, such as Chicago or Buffalo, places really
hardly known on our maps, or scarcely ever taught in our
s :pools, but great and flourishing cities nevertheless—even
!nothing quite striking and enormous. But the point
lie wished to cline was thiS that ays-,-
tam of taxation did' not seem to hint.. in the siikhtest
degree to impede the prosperity of, the. districts. .-(oriei
of hear, hear.). Ori turning the thing over in his mind, Jul
came to the' conclusiOn, that if it were proposed to .substitutn
any other form of taxation, such as was resorted to in
Europe to raise the necessary expenses for the government
of cities, such as an octroi impeding the commerce svitiela
came into Cincinnatti, and putting up barriers through
Which every one passing would'be called upon to pay toll;
or any other-of the devices with which, on the Continent of
Europe, the municipal: and local expenses were met,
he would venture to say that the prosperous and
rich gentlemen who • paid such large amounts in
direct taxation would be the very first to protest
against any change•inyolving such an interruption to the
commerce of their city. (Hear, hear.) He mentioned this,
not intending to follow up the topic, because, as he said
befate, it was one' of those things which he was sorry to
say was not a practical, question at present; but he con-
gratulated the Finance Reform Association upon. having for
years kept the lamp burning in the midst of what he might
call external.- darkness. (Hear, hear.) They were very
much to - be honoured 'for having, although - -finding
themselves in, a small minority, kept up the principles
which they. believed -to be truth, which he believed to be
truth, and which he believed people would more and more.,
recognise to be truth. (Hear, hear:) He did not think it
impossible that the time would come when these prineiples•
would be considered not as an abstract truth, but as'
a question which,statesmen and politicians could carry out
just as Sir Robert Peel carried out the principles of free.
trade in corn, which a statesman. thirty years ago would
have considered it mere madness tti.attempt to do in the way
in which it had been done. (Hear, hear.) He thanked them
again for their kind and friendly welcome.. .
THE LIVERPOOL PEACE SOCIETY.
Mr. J. B. Cooke then stepped forward, and said lie had
been requested to deliver to Mr. Cobden an address on
behalf of the Liveipool Peace Society. Tie said they felt
that they would be considered somewhat impractical in
their principles, and that they held principles which they
could not hope Mr. Cobden altogether to acquiesce in
.; but
they were_ quite willing. to jeave such portions as were
practical in the present time in the, hands of Mr. Cobden.
He (Mr. Cooke) 'did not wish to trouble Mr.' Cobden by
reading an address, but merely. to wish _him a cordial
welcome, and to express their congratulations on his return
to Parliament and public life.- • ,

ADDRESS OF THE PEACE SOCIETY.
My dear Sir' —I am directed by the committee of the
Liverpool Peace Society to tender you their sincere congra-
tulations on your resuming your position in Parliament, and
especially on your having been called to take office in the
executive branch of the Government.
"We beg to express our attachment to you by ties of
gratitude for your exertions as a foremost member of the
Peace party.
That the old political leaders, who have hitherto exhi-
bited a hopeless lukewarmness, if not stood in actual oppo-
Sition to your views, should have been compelled, by the
development of circumstances and the enlightenment of
public opinion, to invite your co-operation, knowing the
terms on which alone your acceptance would be based, is to
us a gratifying proof of the progress of the principles which
you have so ably and courageously advocated.
" A new epoch is before us. The time cannot be far distant
when nations will learn, as smaller communities have long
done, to substitute the majesty of law for the fiendish
destructiveness and logical absurdity of physical force.
"As an association founded on a Christian basis, we must
admit the abstract duty of peace under all circumstances ;
but we shall hail with thankfulness, and support with what
energy we can muster, such a practical approximation to
our position as is to be found in the plan which you have
politically initiated—namely, a proportionate disarmament
of individual nations, and the establishment of a federal
court, or system of arbitration, for the settlement of inter-
national_ disputes.