The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-06-14 00:00:00

• thousand taste could net, in their turn. Inert a• il concert together
the terms on which they would tender their labour, without tender. I
log themselves liable to detection and punishment. lii addition to
thill cons'deration, I hod • flintier indueentent to join in the repeal i
vf these laws. because I thought that they had a tendency to keep
sine irritation between the masters and the workmen, instead 1
of that harmony and pod understanding, which, for the 1
eemmen interest of both parties, ought to exist between
those who purchase and those who sell labour. It was
Iron close, and other considerations of justice and expediency,
flat I was anetoot to sec the old Combination Laws re- ,
pealed. With thole feelings I attended the Vamimittee which was 1
inst•tuted in 1824. in order to consider these laws. In that C4lll. '
niit•es I had no digiculty in stating my general opinion, that labour i
ought to be among the MOM free of all commodities, because it was I
that commodity which wan at once the MOM general in demand, and
the most estcnoive in value ; in fact, the tinindatinn of the value of
•,;,' 011,-r commodities. It was the feeling of all who composed that
1 emmittee, that to attempt to interfere with the price of labour was
t indr, so long as the panics, who were the subjects of such inter.
Terence. confined themselves within those rules which permitted
them to set a value on their own labour, without trenching
.0 ti:e same tight in others. The Committee recommended
the repeal of all the old laws, and the pasting of a new one.
foumled on this principle. Their recommendation was carried
that., effect, so far as related to the repeal of the old laws ; but
..1 I.:LI the enactment of the new laws sere found to be inef.
Irctnai foe its avowed purpose. This inadequacy was rendered
more manifest by the state of the country last year. Instead of the
ufacrious, honest, and peaceable labourer finding protection in
(looming of his labour as he .night think proper, he was compelled •
to gee or withhold it, not according to his own tree wilt, or his own
interest. butt in obedience to the dictation of clubs and committees,
—So the rules and mandates of whic"i„ he was forced to pay im.
pl:Cit eUltdience,—hy every species Ilf intimidation, and often by
open violence. What, for instance, about this time last year, was
the state of the adjoining emit ty of York. in the west clothing dis-
til: a? For many mmttet together, the whole of that population
were thrown out of employment, not because they could not pro..
c.:re adequate and esen high saga, not because many of them
em
wen not desirous to work for their wages ; but, because they were
loader Me absolute control of certain self.constiruted clubs, ma.
razed by a few artful agitators, who had formed themselves into a
k.nd of despotic authority, bearding and defying the laws and (10.
t,totreat of the country. When I saw these bands of petty
tyrant., not only refusing to do any work themselves, but stop.
Tome the working of other*, whose families were starving,
tv.tt whose domestic no:insets. independence, sod happines
were destroyed, I ask you, Gentleman, was it not high time to
iotempt to find some remedy for such a Moll,lfolll state co! dist-
! toer ? The previous destoutioas which those pet:weeding, had
brougbt upon the labouring class in the manufacturing districts, I
an afraid, greatly aggravated the sufferings arising out of the late
stsoation in trade. I say then, that no man, who feels forth. rehire
re I is country, especially one who was charged by his Sovereign
e.th the duty of watching over the trading interests of the country.
could hesitate to call on Parliament to Institute an inquiry into the
%object. But, when I made that call in March, 1815, and pro-
pitied that a Committee should be instituted to ascertain the effects
id the repeal of the Combination Laws, did I state that I wished to
Lave Co old laws renewed ? No such thing. I still continued to
•odesno those laws. But I stated then. u I state now, my first
1 olds to be, to protect to the utmost every man in his undoubted
ttght to dispose of his labour where, to whom, and on what
cm:titians he should think proper, without being intimi-
davd, over-awed, or driven from so disposing of it by the dictation
ef any other man, or of any other body of men, who might attempt
to interpose between him and his employer. Upon this principle
that Committee proceeded. It is the principle recognised In their
report, and the foundation of the law, a beneficial and salutary
law, which was pained in consequence of the report. In explicit
terms, that law recognises, as I shall show on Monday, the perfect
freedom of labour. It expressly provided, that any number of
workmen may meet and concert together the prick at which they
will agree to sell their labour, and the hours which they will work,
and that they may refuse to work at all, unless that price be given
slid ~hose hours agreed to. But it takes care that those who bind
themselves to one another by these conditions shall be the only
pews so bound, and that they shall not, by violence or in-
timidation, prevent other labourers from working for different
sages, or in a different manner, if they slutU think proper
If this be not the liberty that belongs to Englishmen, I know
not what liberty is. 1 am as little disposed to acquiesce in
the tyranny of the many as in the tyranny of the few ; and I never
will, whether to court favour with those who may exercise that
tyranny, or to court favour with any class, disguise my public sen.
mitosis, or quality the view which I take of what is best for the
in nests of the country. I never will, to obtsin a temporary
triumph on unworthy grounds, or to prevent any clamour which
way be raised against my public conduct (a clamour in the present
tostance, as unfounded as it is unjust), desert those principles of
public duty which ought to be held sacred by every public man.
Tnese„ gentlemen, are the sentiments which I shall feel myself
called upon to stare to those who hare objected to this part of my
pnbite conduct. I sit glad to find, so far as a few hours hare
/trial'sd me to form an estimate, that no other distinct charge has
been made against me. lam not sorry that this particular impute-
, ton, however unfounded, has been brought forward, because I
wish my late comaittients to believe, that, although at all times
it will be my pride and pleasure to attend to their local con-
cerns, and to promote whatever measure mar be necessary fur the
I:Arrests of the town and port of Liverpool, I never can allow,
ttat, on questions of more general interest, the particular feeling or
prej•adices of any one clam of men ought to be the guide and the rule
to governs Member of Parliament in his deliberative capacity. I
'mould maintain this doctrine, Gentlemen, if I were simply a
Member of Parliament; but, at the same time, being one of the I
advisers of the Crown, I should forget the oath by which I ant
bound to discharge the particular duties of my own office. and pro-
mote to the best of my judgment the general welfare of the whole
empire, if I could allow that the partial views, or supposed interests
of my constituents, ought to be the rule for my guidance, not on
leen:ions of local, but of national importance. Therefote. Gentle.
tarn, with those who object to my conduct, whatever may be their
etepleasure against me., I must, as a Canditlate foe Liverpool, be
cand:d and explicit. I shall do every thing in my power, as far as
1 explanation goes, to conciliate their feelings; but I cannot go
1
tardier. I cannot compromise my own sense of public duty ; and
I souls! rather retire altogether, than go into the House of Com-
mons bound by my constituents to support principles and to advo-
cate claims which, if admitted, could nut fail to undermine the
security of industry and prosperity, and, ultimately, to subvert the
happiness and comfort of the middling and working classes of
society. Gentlemen, it only rentains fur me to thank you Me the
luad indulgence and attention with which you have listened to this
raplaeatiori of my principle' arid conduct, on the occasion in
%inch they are called in question ;—to express a hope that you will I
i.OOOlll me with your attendance at the hustings on 3lontlay ;—aril
Sially, with your leave, to propose a toast, —" Success and prospe- I
ray to the Canning CIA." t

che speech wa received with great applause, and the Right
lh Gentleman resumed his seat amidst loud cheering.
Mr. lioseissow rose altain.—Gentlemen. before I ask permit-
onn to take leave of you for the night, you will, I trust, allow me to
;•rapoee the health of en absent friend, but of one who is a warns
sal Jealous promoter of the princiSle this club. I mean my host,
prison, who is prevented, by indispoidtion, from attending here Mr.
:. Is evening. Gentlemen, Mr. Bolton, I am sure, is known to
all of you as a liberal benefactor and a sincere friend of the la-
Doming classes of the community ; and I cannot doubt that you
sit cordially join me in drinking his health in a bumper.—( Loud
:leers.)
.
At half-put ten Pile. Huskisson quitted the room, and wu en
%anemically cheered as he withdrew.
[Prom the Liverpool Albion of Monday.l
Albion Office, Six o'Clock.
This morning, at nine o'clock, the hustings were opened. Ge-
hind Gascoyne arrived precisely at the hour appointed, having
s-ai retorted from the Adelphi Hotel by a number of gentlemen
...t1 freemen. As soon as the General had taken his place on the
t..ttings, be addressed the crowd in front of his bar, thanking his
:nuids for this renewed proof of their attention to his person and
came.
Mr. Tophttm then proceeded to read the writ for the election of
limbers, the usual proclaniations, and went through the usual
:mine on the opening of the poll.
Mr. Huskieson arrived about twenty minutes after nine in spin-
lid procession. He was received amidst mingled shouts of ap-
plause and disapprobation • but the applause soon overpowered
tie :Nees, and the Right Honourable Gentleman took his station
al the hearings amidst the acclamations of the multitude.
Prcsieus to the arrival of the candidates, John Allen, ship-
erght. proposed Major Frederick Gascayne as a candidate. The
:militiamen was seconded by William Robinson' plasterer.
Mr. Routine stood forward, and begged leave to propose Gen.
leee• Gescoyne as a St and proper person to represent the town of
:,verpool in the next Parliament
Mr. R. BuLt.ix seconded the nomination of General Gaycoyne.
Mr. BOLTON said, that he had the honour to propose the Right
lleiourable William tiuskuson se a candidate for the represents-
.l.4l of this borough t and, titan the experience of his conduct miner
Inad been dedr Representative, and from the advantages which
.ir town bait derived from his services, he was sure that the free-
.,,. could not select a burr person for the situation. (Applause.)
M!.. C. Lawnemex lied the honour to sxond the nomination.
se) candidate had ever appeared before the freemen in whose favour
r. ire was such a general concurrencea all parties in the town ;
1-.:': hr had. therefore, the greatest pleasure in seconding the nomi.
tt:an of Mr. Huskisson. (Cheers.)
RALPH Bansow, Lsq. M.P. stood forward, and alluded to the
ge proceeding which he understood had taken plum before he
'.n.., on the hustings.
':•:neral GASCOT I. E said, if Mr. Benson would stop for • mo-
t, %., he would see that it was his intention to widalraw his son.
ttr. Haw sow could not conceive it to be the real intention of
gentleman to persevere in his nomination ; but as it was pus. • he might, he nominated John Bolton, Req. as a candidate.
••••r JOHS TOW% seconded the nomination.
.1::. li tioairsow asked who had demandert_a poll.
ilf STATLIAM said a person in the crowd had.
Mr JOHN H•HVItY wondered how General Ciascoyne could show
• '..ce on the hustings.
I,..nrral (*strew( as then leo sti forward. He censured the con-
.c of the individuels who lead nominated his son, and disclaimed, '
•he strongest manner, all participation in the proceedinyt. His
1•
• gnu not qualifted for the situation of Representative for the rest e" eternal town of Liverpool ; and if they persisted in noneinat- 1
I liajor threoria he should withdraw him. The General then '
"eyed into a statement of his conduct whilst Represented," foe.
""pool, and dainsd the continued support of the faunas.

Mr. Alderman 'Wit:owe said that he would, with the permission I
of thy Mayor. state to the crowd in front of the hustings the sub-
stance of what the (+silent General had uttered.
The el ATOP. acquiesced; and
The R Leon's,: tt said that 31r. Wright had better add, that
Major Gremoyne was not qualified.
Mr. Alderman WItIGIIT then proceeded to recapitulate to the
people in the street the substance of the General's observations.
' Mr. Gee,* now presented biome-if, end disclaimed the impu-
tation of his having been bribed either by the friends of General
Gescoyne or of 31r. Ilnekiraton. His appeal to the respective Com-
mittees for the truth ebbs disclaims, produced loud laughter. He
concluded by nominating Lord Molyneux a% a Candidate; but no
one would second hint, and the nomination fell to the ground.
Mr. RUSHTON said, he presumed that any Freeman of Liver-
pool might, on the present interesting occasion. offer himself to the
Meeting for the purpose of exercising his undoubted right to de-
mand an explanation of the conduct of their late Representative!'
in Parliament. In the exercise of that right he now simmered be-
fore them ; hut, firm, he most throw back with indignation the
aspersion's often thrown upon individuals taking the pan that he
usually advocated. He deprecated the disturbalices which were
now carrying on in front of the hustings. (The (la% coynites and
ilusitieennite% having come hi contact, in which the former were
driven bark.) These disturbances originated not from political
feeling, nor did they at all bear a political character.
A Gentleman interrupted Mr. Rushton, and desired him to ex-
plain to the Mayor the scenes that were transacting outside the
hue lugs,
Mr. HOSIITON said, the hustings were totally inadequate for
their put e.
Mr. Walont.—Exen your influence. Mr. Rushton, with the
people.
Mr. RUSHTON said they were the General's friends, and h e
Mr. Wright, might keep them peaceable himself ; let those who
enjoy their triumph direct the storm. (Laughter.) He had some.
thing to say to Mr. Huskissou respecting his cond,:e and wha he
would ale should he with all the remitting he was master of. He
objected to 31r. Ilulltiseon, not that he had introduced the princi-
pin of free trade—not that he had liberalism! the commerce of the
coun'ry—but because those principles were only partially applied,
and were unjitet in their immediate operation. (Applause.) The
first thing which ought to have been done, was to admit the pen•
eiple of free trade in corn, the first article of life, which could be
obtained much cheaper in foreign countries than it could be grown
in this. The free system was confined to wher articles, affording
a competition in trade, such as silk from France, velvet from Oe.
nor, and other articles introduced under protecting duties. It was
right that if the Engli.h artisans he celled on to compete with
foreign countries, the necessary article of life, cots, ought to he
placed on the Fame footing. He (Mr. R.) believed that Mr. Hats.
Wenn had gone as far as it was in his power to do ; for, in the
House of Commons, he had to contend with a great hest of
the aristocracy of the land. lie had, by this means. been pre-
vented from perfecting his system of free trade by the corrup-
tion of the House of Commons. (Applause.) Had not this
been the came, he would not have confined his admission of
foreign corn to the paltry quantity of live hundred thousand
quarters. Mr. Rushton then alluded to the attack made upon
Mr. Iluski.son, when he advocated the system of free labour, and
upon that occasion Mr. Canning threw himself before him, and
paid him the highest compliment that had ever been paid to a
statesman of modern times ; he compared him to the glorious and
virtuous Turgot. He, Mr IL, need not tell who this Turgot was ;
he was the French Minister of Finance previous to the French
Revolution, and was called upon to regulate the empire, and to
control the expenditure. He at one blow annihilated the fiscal re-
gulations by which France hail so long been oppressed ; he extended
all trade, and opened the ports to the admiration of foreign corn, in
the face of an aristocracy as brutal anti as bigotted as ever existed.
He immediately and unsparingly attacked every place of pmfit—
not forgetting Iris own—and, in fart, he impeded that salvation of
his country, which it was his object to obtain. He attacked the
clergy of France, who had wrung from the pockets of the people
tithes, not on the nett produce of the soil, but from the gross amount
of its produce. Hie great exertions for the benefit of his country
produced him disease and misery. He (Mr. R.) did not set him-
self up fora prophet ; nor to dive into futurity, but he thought that,
at no distant date, such a fate would await Mr. Iluskinon,unlem
he and the liberal portion of the Cabinet infused into the House of
Commons such a spirit of intelligence and liberality as would do
honour to the country. (Cheers.) It was in this he looked for
the salvation of the country. It was in vain to say they had had
experience to guide them in their decisions • look at the question
of the Scotch currency, and we should find that we had been sleep.
ing on the brink of a volcano. Allowing for the difference in the
circumstances of the two countries, espeelienta had been resorted
to in this country which were not less disgraceful, and they would
have, in his opinion, some awful termination. Without some al-
teration they would have to put expedient to expedient, exalting
the aristocracy of land.ownere at the expense of the working
clines; and the end of all would be a catastrophe, not, Per-
ham!. so Monde nor so disgraceful, because there was a redeem.
ing power in the minds of Englishmen, which would prevent
them front troeling to such occurrent-es as during the
French Revolution. There would, however, certainly be a
convulsion, maces prevented by Ale. Huskisson and the li-
beral portion of the Cabinet. Mr. Rushton appealed to the
evidence of facts as proof of his assertions. There were
many persona on the hustings who were actuated by po-
litical feelings against Mr. Iluskisson. He (Mr. Rushton)
was one of those persons. He did not, therefore, stand in
an equivocal situation; but he stood forward tether to
reason with a philosopher, than to actuate any tumult re-
specting the personal qualifications of the man. Ile was
aware that Mr. Huskisson had done what he could himself to restore
to wealth, honour, and ermperity, the country most dear to hint
and to them all, and he was convinced that that gentleman and the
libral portion of the Cabinet could not show themselves among an
assembly of intelligent English people without seeing the frowns of
political rancour softening into encouragement. (Great applause.)
Could men with such feelings be regardless of Mr. Huekismn's mo-
tives they could not. He, however, felt it his duty to some
to that gentleman, that by his own measures he must stand or full ;
he did not mean to stand or fall in the tainted atmosphere of St.
James's or St. Stephen's. If he would rank as s nhilnanpher, let him
scatter " plenty o'er a smiling land, and read his history in a nation's
eyes." It was incumbent on him to !secure peace end tranquillity to
this empire, and him and his associates were competent to this
measure. With the other late Representative, he (Mr. R.) had also
something to say (laughter) regarding his speeches in Parliament.
It was true that a delusion had gone abroad among the working
Blames of this community that it was necessary should for ever be
dissipated. (Applause and hisses.) A delusion, because they hail
an idea that the speech which the General had made proved his
anxiety to better the condition of the working classes, and secure
them a sufficient reward for their indo•dry, and. at the same time,
to restrain their bad passions and afford protection to the commerce
of the country. Had this been his plan? Now to the facto. In
speaking in the lieu.? of Commons. relative to the Ship.
wrights. he had 'Laid he hoped nothing was meant to inter-
fere With the Shipwrights' Society of Liverpool, who were
then building Almshouses, and he hoped that Society would
be protected. (Great applause.) Now, this description of Be-
nefit Soc'eties never amid, or ought to be attacked—fur
their funds were elevated to a charitable purpose. Mr. Huskisson
rot any of his friends never intended to attack these benefit so.
defies. (Applause.) If there was any one friend more devoted
to their interests, or more zealous in behalf of the marling classes,
it In.+ Mr. Hume. (Applause.) There was a great delusion exist.
log in .he minds of the shipwrignte with regard to the Union
Club—that Mr. Huskisson had connoted that British ships should
be repaired in foreign ports, yet Mr. Hume had expressed great
regret in Parliament that there was not already a clause in some
Act to allow ship) to be repaired in foreign places. Mr. Iluakis.
son's object was not to attack the sacred fund devoted to charity,
hut to put down combinations, for which, in Scotland, men had had
their ears cut off, and in Ireland persons were proscribed. General
Gaseoynee chief claim to their support rested on his opposition to
this supposed measure. Ile (Mr. IL) applauded their generosity
towards the General, even supposing it to be under mistaken
feelings. He had been already elected their Itepregentetive
in six Parliaments; he had been their Representative by a
chapter of accidents; but what votes had he ever given which
had had a tendency to elevate the people in the political scale of
the country. Ily one act they should know it; when seven hun-
dred freemen of Liverpool approached the Car hulk shrine. for the
purpose of tendering to the Catholic and Protestant God the
devotion prescribed to them, the General proclaimed that the
portals of the Wendt Constitution should not be opened to the
Catholte. Hid this look like a theoretic desire to benefit the
country ? (Great applause.) For full thirty years he had voted
for 3linisters, except during a short interregnum, during which
he wrote a letter to say that until something about the Administra.
tine was settled, he would vote according to his conscience. ( Laughter
and applauae ) On It late occasion, during the motion of Lord
John Russell's, in the House of Commons, the General had
said it did not cost him a sixpence for advertisements ; now he (lilt.
Rushton) would inform the freemen of what the General or
his friends had done. Places in the Custom-house, which ought
to be given only to persons whose long services entitled them
to that distinction. were made the subject of barter and sale. He
would not say General flunoyne sold them, because he had, in the
most indignant manner. raid he was ignorant of it ; but he should
instantly, en hearing of the system, have informed his legal advi-
sers of it, and have sifted the charge to the bottom. Ile (Mr. R. )
again proclaimed that offices in the Customs had been disgrace.
fully and venally sold by the agents of General Gastuyne, for the
purpose of paying the expenses of his election. In looking round
him he (Mr. R.) could see nothing but contempt in every person's
face at this practice. This charge was first made tire years ago,
and the General should instantly have investigived it. These
places have been sold for various sums, OHM, 6001., &c., and he ,
(31r. R.) had a gentleman in his eye, one of the Generarrepereonal
friends—

Captain Cot.cwlTT requested 31r. Rushton not to allude to in-
dividuals, as it had nothing to do with General Gascoyne.
31e. RUSHTON proceeded. and begged not to be interrupted.
He gave an instance of a person who, some time ago, was desi.
rous of having a place of profit. [Here cries of Name, name !"
from a gentleman, interrupted the orator', who informed the person
that he was alluding to a friend of his, but declined mentioning his
name. Mr. Rushton said the person got appointed, or was to be
appointed, and a sum of money was paid. It so happened, how-
ever. that before the individual got into die situation lie died, and,
upon inking among lii, papers, the receipt for the money he had
paid for the situation was found, expressing un it for what purpose
it was received. . .

Captain COLQUITS—Thst has nothing to do with (Mural
liassoyne.