The Sun.
London, England, 1852-03-06 00:00:00

Yorkshire; in bygone times, you selected a Wilberforce
to element:trate to the world yunr hatred of slavery—
On Thursday night a very crowded meeting was held (eremh hear)—yon chose a Brougham as is means of
in the capacious threes, Lamle. Ist.-ly eructed for nod ' mthiog the strongest demonstration of yonr adhesion to
occupied by M. Fracconi and his troupe of cageestrietest ; thworte—(hlear, near)—wed, though it would be vanity
hto collider the present political critis, the renewal or : in me to class myself with those illustrious names
the Anti. Core-law L'-ague, and the propriety of memo- i ("No, nee" end applause), yet, so lent; as there Is the
:61i,,i0g her MajostY in favour of the maintenance of free 1 principle, and se long as there is a political arena in this
twde." county upon which to fight the question with which my
heir. Cobden was the only itlemher of Parliament pre- name has been so long and so promitteetly connected—
. . . ,
sem, and it is only true to etato timt many persons at- that of free trade—l place mesell unretervsdly at the
tented the meeting solely to hear his speech. It is aid- disposal of the largest constituency in this kingdom, in
mated that from 3,000 to 4 000 psreous weretprerent, order that they may, through my representations, give
and a
,rtat many were unatle to st - in, the building what I conceive to he a fitting expression to that opinion.
being crowded in every part. ThegappearanceOf Mr. —(Cheers.) Gentlemen, I said that this evening has
Cebee.n—who came into the Circus accompanied by Sir settled the question, and that I shall not. have the op-
G. Goodman Oho msyor of Leede), Sir J. Paxton, Mr. portueity of beating anybody in the riding, for nobody
CarbuW, Mr. Beines, and other leading Fred-traders— sebl have the courage in this riding to come forward and
was hailed with loud and long continued applause. stand up upon the principle of Protection.—(Hears
Sir G. GOODMAN was called to the chair. He said hear.) I should like to see somebody canvassing the
the importance of the meeting was very clearly, mach West Riding in the interest of the corn-law !
festmi by the presence of persons in such large numbers, (Laughter.) I should like to hear their arguments with
assembled to r, moment, as the opening of their proceed- your women and children down here--(Renewed
inns. Nothing coon more clearly menet, the warmth laughter.) Bat it would ho bombastic in me to talk
which was felt towards the measures that had beet, big of the 'efforts we world make to beat our opponents,
pissed, end their firm determination time they should when nobody will come to he beaten.—(Continued
het be broken in upon.—(Cheers.) The result of the laughter.) Well, gentlemen, I em here speaking to a
:,'' r eat meting which had been held at Menchester, and motion which refers to, and advises the restoration of',
tee one which was held there that night, would he such the Anti-Corn-law League.—(Cheets-) Now I am
as to impress. any Minister, however bold—and they sure, whatever else may
be said ageiest us, it cannot
had a held one in their present Premier—but ho believed be
ssSerted that we have sought prematurely
that even even he would quail before the power of such assem- mence that organizetion.—(Hear.)
We laid down our
blies as these.—(Cheers.) Such manifestations of the arms five and a half years ago. The Protectionists have
opinions of the people, which were fixed and definite, oreanized themselves; they have had their meetings in
would soon convince the present Government that any Drum
y lane • and Covent-garden, a Duke in the chair;
attempt to re-enact the obnoxious corn-laws must be the have stood for counties and pocket-boroughs in the
impotent and vain.—(Loud cheers.) Ministers now interest of Protection; they have advocated.dearth and
professed not to he disposed to act in the manner monopoly in Parliament; and yet we took no notice, and
which they had, ho thought, always threatened to do. did not even whisper of resuscitating the League. But
But ho could tell them that they must he up and. When we find a body of men taking possession of the
doing. and not leave them the payee: of doing so. The reins of power, we expect that they will drive .in the di-
fats Administration had gone out because they could ruction in which they have always professed to be tend-
not command a majority and were unable to carry out ing.—(Hear, hear.) What is the party in power? The
any great measure. But what did they say to the pre- Protectionist party—Protectionists they call themselves:
tent Government? They knew that they had a minority, we call them monopolists.—(Cheers.) Protectionists—
and that if any such measure was brought forward it or at .least they have been known as Protectionists up to
must drive them out.—(Cheers.) Let them, then, with- ;his time; and will they change their character, and
out loss of time, at once chow the new Ministry What alter their tone, immediately they get into office and
were their opinions on these grand subjects. Le: them power? Their organs tell us we must not believe those
express their d.cided opinions on ell of them, whether gentlemen—that all they have told us for five years past
it was for promoting the re-enactment of the corn-laws are fibs—(Laughter)—that they never meant to do what
in a modified form or in any other form whatever, or they have talked about so long; and if we will give
any other groat question which might agitate the future them time they will show how dexterously they can
Parliament or the country. Let them say whether they throw over those who believed them in earnest.—(Hear,
considered they had got to the end of reform, or that it hear.) I tell you, as I told them at Manchester, Ido
was again to be their watchword. Let them declare not believe anything so base as this of them; I believe,
their conviction on the matter, and say whether the tam all they have been telling us, they will reimpose
people who could assemble in such large numbers and the born-law if they can. It is the object of the League
testify by their order and good conduct that they were t) prevent them.—(Cheers.) We want very little or-
possessed' of those virtues that entitled them to'; be ganization in Yorkshire, but we do in some other places,
voters, should be still shut out from their privileghs or end feeling pe'rfeelly confident,
after this meeting, that
not.—(Loud cheers.) I am quite safe, I think that I may profitably employ
Mr. CALLBUTT said• they were not assembled there to say time in trying to enlighten .the men and women
listen either to him or any other of their fellow-towns- living in other parts of the country.—(Cheers, and a
men; their great attraction that evening was his friend Voice—" Oh, v.e're all right here," laughter, and re-
Mr. Cobden, who had come to develops to them the `hewed cheers.) Yes, we aro all right here.—(Loud
views he entertained in reference to the present state of cheere.) Something has been said by a gentleman who
effeirs.—(Hear, hear.) Ho should hesitate altogether preceded see about confining ourselves to one question.
from addle-sting them that evening, but having, during That does not depend upon us—l mean those of us who
the long and arduous struggle which they formerls fake a prominent pan in this question—it does not
waged against the corn-laws, under the banner of the depend upon us what question shall take a prominent
great Anti-Corn-law League, fought by the aide of Mr. and leading part at the next election. You have de-
Cobden and his illustrious compalmons—having never 'elided that.—(Hear, hear.) What other question but
ceased his efforts to bring about so desired a coesumma- this question of the corn-laws would have brought this
lion until they accomplished the triumph of free trade, large Meeting together in 24 hours?—(Hear, hear, and
and having witnessed the national rejoicings which took loud cheers.) There was a remark which fell from one
place on the completion of their victory, it would be of the.greatesttmen who has visited our land, I mean the
strange, indetd, if he (Mr. Carbutt) did not make his great Hungarian leader—(Groat cheering)—some time
appearance among them that ertnieg to tape counsel ago, in which I fully agree. He made this remark,
with them as 'to their future procteoingt, and to tell '- that the instinct or the million is wiser than the wis-
the na he was ready to enrol hiseshlt once mere in ths dom of the wisest."—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) And it
ranks of thet League which broke the shackles which is an instinct which renders all reason and argument
lettered the station's liberty, and gave it the power to superfluous, the instinct which has brought this mass of
rise to its present height.—(Cheers.) The resolution he thee people together on this question of the corn-laws.
hied to move he would now read. (It declared that the Leeds Yen fee), as all will feel now, that this is the critical
branch of the Anti-Corn-lew League suould he and was time of this question,—(Hear, hear.) Other questions
thereby re-established.) He would tarn their attention are not so ripe as this. You feel that this must be set-
ter a moment to that class of the community which, was tied now and for ever, and therefore you come forward
ever crying out that they were starving for want of pro- in all your streneth, in order that you may put the
tectior, and who, ever sines corn was 80s. a quarter, at finishing stroke upon it.—(hear, hear, and loud cheers.)
every drop in the price told flee public they were ruined. But it is rot merely the corn-law question which is in-
-(i+ear, hear) If they locked to that class of the volved in what we are now doing. If you settle the
community, ant it they took the trouble to travel from corn question now, once and for ever, it leaves the field
John o'Groatts house to the Land's-end, what did they clear tor other questions.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.")
tee ? Did they see land going out of cultivation, farm- And you have the advantage now in dealing with this
houses and buildings dilapidated, tenants leaving their question of protection, that the Protectionists themselves
farms, and landlords leaving the luxuries of a Court nave told you, if you beat them this once they will never
and coining down from London into the country to come to bo beaten again. Well, now then, let us beat
farm their own land ? Nothing of the sort. Where- ,hem to their heart's content.—(Laughter and loud
ever they went there was happiness and comfort, and cheers.) You see what odds are in our favour. If
there never was a time when the land was b"tter cuiti- we beat them once, why they say they will submit to it
rated or when more corn was produced.—(Hear, hear.) tor ever. But we don't say so, for if by any possibility
England vies being from year to year better cultivated, they happen to beat us now, they will have to beat us
there was more labour employml, more skill, more capital, again and again—(Loud cheers, and cries of " That's it
and science applied to the cultivation of the soil in the pre —they will")—while the Protectionists have told us that
sent day than was ever before known. He then proceeded if they are not successful now they will in future cease
to argue that however small might be the duty which to advocate these principles of restriction.—(Hear.) I
the Protectionists sought to impose under the delusion observe for instance, that Mr. Booker, the Member for
that it was only for revenue, would pro tonto be a duty Herefordshire, one of the latest champions of Protection
imposed for protection. If they admitted of even a ls. who came into Parliament to settle off Frce-traders, and
they on corn—(No, ne, and cries of " We'll have none") to settle the question by his statistics, has put out an ad-
-it they admitted this, away went the whole system a! dress to-the electors of Herefordshire, and in that ad-
once.—(Hear, hear.) And there was no argument for dress he tells them that the coining general election will
the duty on corn which would not apply to every other decide finally the question of free trade; end it is to be
article produced in this country or the colonies. After a verdict once and for ever upon it. Well, then, I say,
some further remarks, Mr. Cm butt concluded by moving let us take care that that verdict is conclusive, that it is
the resolution he had before read:— as nearly unanimous as possible in this part of the king-
" That, in the judgment of this meeting, the forma- sum.—(Bear, hear, and cheers.) I have said it is not
tion of a Ministry of which the chief members are the necessary that I should enter into any argu-
accredited leaders of a party resolutely bent on restoring, went on this question. But I mentioned a
protection, clearly indicates the near approach of an effort.
fact in Manchester, an Tuesday +. and I should
to renew the corn and navigation-laws, and therefore like to mention into you hero—that since the Anti-Corn-
renders imperative the re-organza ion of the Free-traders law League closed its labours we nave imported into
not merely to defeat that effort, but to make the defeat this country upwards of 50,000,000 quarters of grain.—
so signal and decisive as to render utterly he 'ass any (Hear, hear, and much cheering.) Well, gentlemen,
further attempt to revoke the great principle of' tree that grain hes been all consumed, and, as has been well
trade expounded by the Leaeue, and embodied in the observed by Mr. Car butt, I don't find that our o
fn
w
measurss of that distinguished statesman, Sir Robert laud has beers thrown out of cultivation,
or 'that r ar-
Peel." users have given up their land. This vast amount of
The resolution was seconded by Mr. J. C. _l3
—AanETT,
subsistence
has been brought into coma . , mption in addi-
flax spinner. lion to what would only have been available if our ports
grain.
Mr. COBDEN. on rising, was received with vociferous had not been thrown open for the influx of foreign et
cheers, again and again repeated. When silence hail been But who has eaten this vast amount of corn?—(Hear,
restored the Hon. Mt mbar said--Mr. Mayor and gentle - . hear. and cheers.) I have not eaten one ounce more
than I should have not been any im-
men, it has been my privilege to attend many public meet- . eaten if that© had.
nd
itit),S in Leeds, but I never saw an assembly in any room portation whatever; and most of the gentlemenhaavreounot
in this borough before numbering one-halt, or I should me here had abundant larders before, and
say one gusto& r, of this meeting. And this meeting bee consumed any more
been called within little more than twenty-four hours' had the benefit of ion? Why, the
this largo imports t
titmice, and I observed on. entering the doors that the poorest portion of the community.—(Hear, hear,_ and
streets outside are crowded by those unable to gain ad-, tench cheering.) They have eaten it instead of pot
mittance--(Hear, hear, and a cry of " That's true.' ) tatues, and very often instead of having short cow-
Now, gentlenern, I saw it stated in a London paper, mons. All this vast amount of food has gone to increase
the andofthe poorest por-
the organ of the Protectionist party, last night, that the comfort, health, strength
ted
the great mass of the people of this country take no in- tiun of the nommunity.—(Renewed and reiterated
terest in the question of free trade.—(Loud laughter.) cheering.) Why, gentlemen, I don't think it was ever
lam very glad, for the character of Yorkshiremen, that the fate of any body of men who ever took a prominent
at all times you have shown that you know what tire part in the advocacy of a great change in any public po-
your interests, and what are your rights inhthis inn- hey to have the privilege of living to see, in so ship a
portant matter. Why, gentlemen, this meeting settles time, so much tangible fruit of their labours.—(l ear,
the question of the West Riding election upon this hear.) And I congratulate all here who took such an
matter.—(Loud, reiterated, and vehement cheering.) active part in obtaining a repeal of the corn-laws.
and
And here, gentlemen, I may as well at once refer to a congratulate you that you have lived to see so large an
subject which would not appear to have immediate re- beneficial a result of the labours in which you were en
- :
terence to the motion I have to support ; but which, gaged. It is something more than charity,
for
have placed
under the circumstances, has a material reference to deesases while it succours; but you, by this,_.
the object of our meeting. I speak 'of the representas it in the power of ehe great mass of the people of this
ti„ of the West Ridinv,alear, hear, and epplause.) country to render themselves more happy and comfort-
I speak in the presence of some of our trusted friends able by means of their own independent labour.
and leaders, who will bear me out, that from (Much and prolonged cheering.) And, gentlemen, I
the moment of my return from the Continent, when feel most anxious, in anything that yet has to he done in
I found that the unexpected and unexampled honour had reference to this great question,-1 feel most anxious
been conferred upon me in my absence of returning me, that no class of people should in this country claim any
'unsolicited, as a Member for this vast constituency— peculiar merit in the result of this agitation. I want all
that from the moment of my return to the very latest classes of the people, I want the working classes, to feel
period, I have uniformly held but one language, that that they themselves have contributed during this last
although I was proud of the honour which has been struggle; and I know they have contributed their full
thus conferred upon me, yet, seeing that the free-trade quota to the issue of this contest. I don't like to see a
question was tettled. I did not see that there was any London newspaper saying we have not the working
advantage, while 1 thought there was some inconvenience, classes with us on this question, because it is a great
in my contemplating continuing longer the represents- libel on the working classes to say so.—(Hear, hear.)
tive of this county. And I will explain frankly to you And another thing, too; it is trying to discredit the
and to your brother electors what were, and still are, my working classes with those who have at present political
feelings upon this entelect. Gentlemen, as a public man, power, in order that, by and by, it may be turned
having taken prominently a part in great public against them, and enable them to say they did not by
a , .ons, I have at all times in the House of Corn- their petitions contribute to te repeal of the corn-laws.
tuesu flair
mons borne my there of the duties of the Legislature, Now, when the corn-law assists ou in its most uumiti-
hires which may be made on me i gated severity in 1815, the loudest protests against it
apart from any c .
of private business. We know that to sit were made by the working classes—(Hear.) The
the way
as memner ' of a constituency of this vast magni- working men of London made the loudest protest, against
f. i Ives II 'vastly increased it, though rather radey I admit, for they tore theyetude and imporann, Lao hers' f h•bk (C • ' aid
much larger amount, coats rom t eir ac s— ries of " di
correspondence and a
fll the load right")—they pulled them out of their • • 1-
carriages so
of private business in the House than a s to
r , et, ters _a_ to he called up to protect the Members of Par-
the Member for an ordinary borough.—(tlea .
7s falls Raiment, and the Houses of Parliament were surrounded
therefore; that in addition to the load which alwat
and cavalry to enable th• fem to peas this in
upon the the prominent legislator I mean, taking his by infantry
share in the üblic committees and the debates of Par- mous corn-law.—(Elear, hear.) The middle cla and
li4ralmt—l felt unless some the working classes then thoroughly co-operated in
that there was no necessity,
op-
great I should take posing this law; but the middle classes had not the poli-
Uponpublic principle were involved, why
myself power then they have now.—(Hear, hear.) The
the resonsibiiitv and labour of attending ' deal
to the private business ' I . working people did their duty then, and I hope they will
therefore intimated of so vast a constituency. ,_ .
~aiti _
(Shouts of " We will, we will," and cheers.)
Lion I should retire to my friends that at another oleo- do it a{, • ,
will do it not only in Yorkshire, where it is
when I took from the West Riding, and that I hope they
leave ofl aid " We are safe," but elsewhere.-(Hear, hear.)
friends in Stockport you Ib id hoped that my old wel s ,
that the labourers in the agricultural districts,
lowing you to 'three wouldm have
,forgiven me for al- , I know
h • children, have received more benefit
them, and that I mighte. Willi a strong band from their wives and t err
n laws than almost any other. I
Lsgislature. Not a month swam represent them in the from a repeal of the cor. -
mho I from Bs. to 9s. per week,
friend's in reference to this subject, Saw some of our moan those whose earnings care
in the purchase of bread
a final answer, that unless something and I gave them and whose wages are morn
insps.
such families as these that
this free-trade question the prominent and
to make than anything else. It is .
felt —(lean) The effect
I should adhere toand deciding . the greatest advantage has been,
question, that determination
I have already
to-night ex e , ,
which . .
Pr,sted. that, of e vast the influx of corn from foreign countries into your
Nowhere, is, that
1 nowledre the confidence placed whilst I ports of London, Liverpool, Hull, aad e .
deeply ace ,
and which I- di in rue by while this importation has furnithed an additional supply
t his great community, ell ever trea- to the workieg classes in the metropolis, and to the menu-
sure all raY lIL uld remake
life, s 0
.my bow. rotthe West fa . •
Yorkshire as its representative in Perlin. e miming portion of this country, it has left alarge pro-
Riding of p,rtion so Est consumed by those in the rural districts
~hoots of " No, no.") .'
Well, e tle '—
neete.—(l, old
of that Urns 1 found a Protectionistgnua'n ,who had tilled the land and reaped the harvest in this
within a tortnight
the
country.--.(t , Healy and cheers.) Therefore—I look
That has greenly changed
Government In power. : forward, when.we come to have a general election—l look
d the whole' espect of drain forward.to
state of thines, and altat I , the demonstrations which shall be made by
pluint d my intentions to
Under which I spike when
el'-
cheers.) Ithen • _ the working classes in the rural districts as one of the
yeur friends in L0nd0u....--(Lout said, most significant proof
Ilodged 1; monopoly • ' h d that no portion of the community
o in' are ignorantof •
that as we heed men in power p
the wivile e-1 on their the ill effects of the system of mono of
trade, I would, it you would allow nte i
,gatint. I own interests as labourers.—(flear, hear.) Now,
would come to the West Riding, throwdown my h
eibelieve in this town your are preparing to erect to the
epolists of the kingsem m nent statesman—now, let here, and challenwo the mop unhappil nob
more—to. whom
to put forth ell their'''strereth.—(Vehement cheering.) we are indebted for the freedom 3.tv''e c
For, gentlemen, having been prorniee'ntlY connected with mercial system—(Hear, lakar)...._T
never ‘njoy in_ousereCOm-
the cause of tree trade- I felt teat this, beteg `be largest we should have carried the repeeathfthecou id
corn-laws how,.
constituency—the largest count •in eatent—the must va- the time we did, unless it was by the self-sacrifice
ce of that
tied in its interests the most iYn'titmintial in its character great statesman—(Hear, hear)--well, 3
ou a
—and one of the most inflti • l awealthy
nine nut •
ie the erect a bronze statue of him in this borough re going to
• It has al-
kingdom—l felt this was the p per staudieg ground ready' been cast. The pedestal, I believe,
almost awaits
for tne—(Hser, hear, and choer,ro- 'f• Iliad teitethe
)—that iit. But I counsel our friends, the Free-traders of Leeds
support of the electors of the count of York this was I not to erect that statue upon its foundation until we have'
the spot of ell others whet, I shhuli,.,_ _
liam 7.0 meet thein..! settled, once for all, that the great work of his joaiia
—(Cheets.) 'I h re is, and tubiedly, a fitness inthdectiint lion is not to be undone.—(Hear, hear, and loud chee'rs.)
as th., exponent and impersonation The first thing we have to do is, to show that we are
of a great priecipie '
an individual who has been prumi„utl, connected and' worthy of the sacrifices he made for his fellow-coUntry-
identified- with ;he advocacy f b ' • r► I ' men' if we man% new retain what we have f -
- 9 lat przncip e, a i 1 9 the

ANTI-CORN-LAW MEETING AT LEEDS.