The Sun.
London, England, 1852-03-20 00:00:00

SATURDAY

VENING, MARCH -720,

I legislation of that House, could it be doubted that they had the President of the United States on that subject, and I do
retarded iniprostement, prevented the tenant seeking for a not find that he is at all satisfied with the effects of . his
reduction of his rent, and stopped progress in other direc- tariff; but he proposes to the Legislature to amend its ra-
tions? That had been going on for five or six years, and sults, by granting more protection.—(Protectionist cheers.)
now he thought was the time to bring the question to an But already the amount of protection on manufactures, in the
issue. Leta at ' the way in which the country had Leen , United States ranges from 20 to 30 per cent., and I ask,. is
agitated, led on by Dukes and Earls, which left foreign that the amount of protection the Right Hon. Gentleman
countries in doubt whether they had really established the opposite is about to propose for this country?-(Hear, hear.)
principles of free trade; and in more than one country of Tne Right Hon. Gentleman has further discovered that we
Europe operations had been absolutely suspended, because are greatly indebted to California for a favourable solution of
they could not believe that when the landed aristocracy, of the free-trade problem. But America has 'Some relation
whom they hadneo true an idea—they could not believe, to California as well as this country, , and if the gold
they did not doubt that what they said was true, that they of California has been of such great benefit to us,.. it
intended to reverse their policy.—(Hear, hear.) Nothing is likely that it would also have somewhat benefited
could be better for the cause of free trade than to appeal to America, but hear what the President says upon
the country, and the conclusion he came to was that the in.. that subject ; " The exports of specie to liqui-
terest of the country would keep them true to it. They date our foreign debt during the past fiscal year have been.
might tryto interpose some other question, but it would not 24,263,979 dollars over the amount of specie imported." It
do, and all he asked was that the country should have an op- may be true that the bullion. has passed through the Bank of
portunity of bringing the question to an issue.—(Cheers.) England, like a sieve, but it has saved us from a fiscal gala-
Mr. W; MILES lamented the taste of the Hon. Member mity, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer cannot deny that
for the West Riding; he lamented excessively when the we have now more bullion in the Bank than ever. But
Noble Lord (the Earl of March) stated that his noble rela. what have been the consequences in America? I read in
live, the Duke of Richmond, had diminished his rents, that the speech of the President -of the United states that their
the Hon. Meniber bad continued to assert that he had heard exports of specie, notwithstanding the imports from Califer-
fromy
different persons that the Duke bad not done so. He
,nia, have exceeded those imports in one year to the amount
bad never heard any gentleman's word disputed 'in so im. of twenty-five millions. N
proper a manner. He was glad that there was to be a You are going to re-adjust toaxw'alteitonmneoast
oknyiyotiouthcoisrur
but on
on
discussion. The question was, was the Government of the other articles; and from the mysterious way in which you
country to be carried on or not, and were the necessary mea• deal with the House, it becomes necessary for me to endue.,
sures for its 'good" to be passed s_ (H„e, aeare) If the 'our to extract from evidence what are the articlesyou are
late Government had declared the embodiment of the likely to tax; and as there is no one .
whose system, is so
militia to be necessary 'for the defence of the country—if likely to form a precedent witligentlem
rhey had stated it to be impolitic to dissolve Parliament— Lord George Bentinck, I shall refer to the budget he brought
were the present-Gtevernment to be taunted by Hon. Mem. forward the last time the income-tax was renewed. L
opposite as the late
hers on the Opposition benches for holding the same opi- ask the House of Commons whether' they arep paretdulteo
nions? If'the present Government was to be thus opposed replace thehtariff of, 1846 by such a budget .as this? Ie find
it would bit by a tyrannical majority, and the country cer- that he proposed to get
.850,0001., if not. double that
tainly'ought 'to ee appealed to judge between them. He upon corn, and 700,0001. upon timber. Now that thetneustyl-
did not fear the 'issue; he ' knew the determination of the gation-laws have been irrevocably repealed, and that ship-
Noble Earl (the Earl of Derby) sufficiently well to know owners and shipbuilders are desirou.sOof being disembarrassed
that, if defeated. 'he would nevertheless try the appeal again. of every impedifneot, would the House be w.
The Noble Earl would be constiutionally right in so to • levy 700,0001. on timber 3—(llear, bear.) 'al
doing. But if a dissolution were to take place at once the cotton he proposed to raise .650,0004 and he dated the de
country would be thrown into the greatest confusion. on. cline of the cotton manufacture tro the removal of the fluty'
de-
country
said they' did not know what the policy of the usieg this remarkable expression, "I take cotton for duty
Noble Earl at 'the head of the Government was; let them because it will be taking .a lesson from the book of ..the
read the speedh of the' `Noble Earl.—(An Hon. Member— United States." Now, let us take a lesson from the United
Which of them?) That made last month. In that speech States. The raw material is brought here to be manafac..
the Noble Earl said theta duty would be the best way of tured into garments for exportation to all the world. Who,
settling the question, but that he would not bring forward then, is your natural competitor—who is it against whom
that question until he had taken the sense of the
,country you would be most anxious to hold your own in manuface
upon it, but in the meantime he would consider the measures tures or commerce? Is it not the United States? Now,
necessary to relieve the suffering interests from their present ponder well upon these facts. The consumption of . raw cote
burdens.—(Hear, hear, and a laugh.) The' Honourable ton in the United States had gradually risen until the duty
Member for the West Riding had stated that the Protec- was removed in Great Britain, but since that time it. has
tionists had impeded the improvement of ageienitUre. The been
,gradually decreasing, and your manufactures bane
Right Honourable Baronet the Member for Ripon, in his been supplanting the .4anufactures of the United States.—
speech the other night, had alluded to the immense increase (Hear, hear.) Let me ask you tie apply to this one of your
in the importation of guano, the great' extent of drainage own canons. You desire to encourage the British labourer,
that had been undertaken, and other improvements. Since and to make the foreigner pay for that encouragement. I
1846 capital had been invested to a large extent in land, will show you that you have encouraged half as much
and with what return? Let Honourable Members more labour,, and made the foreigner pay half as
read Mr. Mechi's balance-sheet, which showed a loss of 6371. much more since 1846 than he paid before. The ,_
in one year, On a farm of 188 acres. He would explain this Chincellor of ' the Exchequer approved of the policy.of •
as shortly as possible. The Hon. Member for Berkshire made 1842, but disapproved of that of 1846. Well, the effect of
some experiments, the results of which he had published in the policy of ; 1842 was, that we are able to remit of
1847, and his mode of operation had been adopted very gene- taxes that pressed on the people of two millions, and in
rally by the farmers. By these experiments it had been 1845 the Customs and Excise were reduced es much more.
ascertained that thirteen tons of farmyard manure, with, three But what did the tariff of 1846 do? It enabled you to .
cwt. of guano; produced as fertilising results as twenty tons take off seven or eight million of taxes in addition, while.
of farmyard manure alone in the productions of turnips ; the Excise and Customs are as high as ever. Now, 1
and as the guano used in such small quantities was 'much appeal to you on behalf of the great interests of the
cheaper than the dung, 'the increased demand for the former country. I trust you will adhere to a policy that em-
article- was accounted for without any extension, of farming goals -British industry, makes foreigners pay, and while
operations. Hon.elelemberCopposite were anxious fdr a dis- it diminishes the burdens of the people, does not di-
solution of Parliament, and such a measure Might be Daces- txiinish the receipts. of 'the Exchequer. I say that we,
sary. But let them do everything quietly. Let the esti- the Memberstef the House of Commons, are bound to see
mates- be gone through as rapidly as possible; let 'the few that clear explanations are given on all these subjects, and
measures which were absolutely necessary be carried, end ' that nothing is left in doubt.—(Hear, hear.) I mast now
then he would say' that if a dissolution . were tre- ask your attention for' a few emoments to what I think
fused the OppoSition would have a rational cause of corn- an interesting • matter of history. Adam Smith, at the
plaint, and would be justified in the exercise of their Con- cloie of his immortal work, having exhausted the subject
stitutional powers. But when he looked at the "present to which it referred, described a scheme of finance to which
state of the nation—when he considered how little excite- he said there were so many powerful t combinations and
ment was at present going on, how little had been caused by so 'many great interests opposed, that its achievement
the exit of the late Administration and the coming in of the might well be considered Utopian. His scheme corn-
present, he felt assured that the people would calmly take pre ended a great change in the Customs and Excise
Lord Derby's explanation of his policy into consideration, duties, confining them to a few great articles of luxury or
and would determine upon upholding that Minister in his en- consumption, such .s sugar, rum, and tobacco. Lord Derby
deavours to do justice to all classes of the community and to finds fault with the tariff of 1846, because it did take away
uphold the constitution.— (Hear ) Ile believed that Noble the Excise and Customs except on a few great articles of
Earl would be found ever ready to bring in new measures luxury and consumption. Adam Smith then went on to
when necessary, but firmly resolved to set his face against state what would be the results of his scheme. First, the
reckless innovation.—(Protectionist cheers.) debt would be diminished—the debt has been diminished—
Mr. CARDWELL—If "am so fortunate as to obtain for and in the meantime the people had been relieved from some
a brief period the attention of the Committee, I promise that of the most burdensome taxes, and the labouring classes
I will not willingly let fall a single word having the re- would be enabled to live better and cheaper, and send their
motest teneeney to perpetuate that heat which a few minutes wort: cheaper into market. The cheapness of the goods
since seemed so disagreeably imminent.— (Hear, hear.) I would ensure the demand for the labour that produced them,
believe there never was an occasion upon which calmness and 4pd the power of the labouring classes to consume exciseable
deliberate reflection was mere urgently called for from those articles would be vastly increased. 2, ow, what was an Utopia
who take part in these debates. (Cries of "Hear, hear.") to Adam Smith has ben accomplished by air Robert Peel.
I believe that we are now called upon to settee one of the The interest of the debt has decreased from 29i millions
most important questions upon which the liberty and hap• to ,28 millions. The consumption by the poor of
pit:less of a- tree people can depend. If we see that in , all articles of comfort has vastly increesed, such r.s cocoa,
this favoured country, during the last few acme, you have tea, sugar, and tobacco, and all that has been accom-
enjoyed unexampled peace and happiness, has it not arisen' pliebed, while at the same time a great surplus was secured .
from that balance of a free conetitntion, which, by the oh- for the revenue.—(Hear.) I now venture to close the case
servance on the part of the Crown, and on the partof Parlia- which I have endeavoured feebly to lay before you. I think
ment, of certain definite rules, and certain established I haVe shown you by no invidious reference to former
precedents, maintains a balance of freedom, securing the speeches, but simply by a recurrence to those arguments and
sovereignty and pre-eminence of the Throne on the one side, propositions you held in f"-rmer years, and have never dis-
and the rights and happiness of the people on the other.— avowed, and which the Hon. Member who has just sat dawn,
(Cheers.) And, Sir, the first questions that we are called challtnges me to read in 'the speeches of Lord Derby, ex,
upon to raise in this discussion are, what are the' privileges, pressing, at the same, time, .the most unbounded confidence
and, correlatively with those privileges, what is the duty of that the results of the next 'election would confirm them, the
this House of Parliament? We now see before us a number effect which your prisent motion must have on the interests
of gentlemen for whom I entertain a high respect, and many of the people. Now, we, the commoners of England, do
of whom I have the happiness of recognising among the not 'want to haVe all the beneficial results of free
number of my personal friends. The members of the Queen's trade reversed ; we do not want you take by sap that
Government are under these circumstances, that they have which you cannot take by storm ; we, in the exercise
been, according to their own admissions frequently made, and of our constitutional duty, respectfully, not in bitter-
implied by the withdrawal of measures to which they attach ness of language, but with much force of argument, call on
importance, called to office, while they did not possess the you, for the sake of the country and of yourselves, to give
confidence of this House. Well, then, what is the state of what .you call your policy to the country, disguising nothing
affairs, and what in that state of affairs is the duty Which and explaining everything. I tinstthat there willbe no party
devolves upon us ? I shall tell you, from authority or factious proceedings.— (Oh, oh.) I entirely assent to the
which you will respect, what are the relations of the proposition that faction, ifothere be faction, would redound
Commons to the Crown, the' country being situated as to your advantage, and would recoil upon ns:—(Hear, ,
it is at present. In 1841 three propositions were laid hear.) lam an earnest advocate for our commercial policy .
down that the power of the executive govern- as it exists, and I desire to give you no such advantage as the _
ment to carry measures in the House of Commons was appearance of faction on our part would create, but I believe
essential to the country's independence—that when Govern- that we should be dull watchers, faithless guardians of our
ment found itself in such .a position that it noionger 'pos- public trust, if we ,did not insist on explicit declarations of
sessed that power, one single alternative remained, that al- your future intentions; I believe that if we did not demand
ternative being to resign office or to dissolve Parliament: It such explanations, eve should be parties to the surrender of
was 'further laid down that if they elected to dissolve, they those
,principles by which the British Constitution guarantees ;
must dissolve immediately, with 'no greater delay than the at once our liberties and our rights.—(Cheers.)
exigencies of the public service required.—(Protectionist Mnl CAYLEY said, with respecteto what had fallen from
cheers.) lam glad to hear this proposition receive so much the HonourableMember who had just sat down, he always
concurrence as the other side of the House; bat that, ought referred to the Policy
to concur in it because it was laid down by no mean authp• of the late Sir Robert Peel. ;Now,
.
ritye the late lamebted Sir Robert Peel, and, what perhaps .when; he talked about the commercial improvementr which
those gentlemen will vales; re, had the concurrence of all permitted to observe that, in every instance of commercial
had fiillowed free-trade measures, he (M . Cay ey)-must be
those Members of the present' Cabinet who then had the ho-. stagnation,
there was a corresponding spring .in commercial
noun of seats in the House of Commons, and 'who testified treusactions. He did .sot deny the prosperity of the last
their, concurrence by following Sir R. Peet into the lobby on few y ars. What they called free trade had no doubt been
that,oceasion.—e(Hear.
)
for were those propositions laid a benefit to the country, by the lowness of the price of corn.
down as mere dry abstract propositions,' but reasons also', But what they on the Ministerial side contended was, that
were given. It was laid down and argued before you that the lea-ness of the price of agricultural produce lessened the
the well-being of this constitutioirdependi on the constant home itrade.— (Ministerial cheers.) He would remind. the
and uniform maintenance of the equilibrium. It was said, House, also, that the Protectionists did not foresee the
elf You do not maintain it, if you maintain the contrary famine in Ireland—(Hear,
nor dindethe.eGeetntlemenhon
of the proposition thus' described, 'so unconstitutional, so the Opposition side.—(Hear, hear.) 0
honbil t they
v the
ad
dangerous a doctrine I never heard maintained, so dangerous, in view was, not to give the people less,
to public men, and so fatal to the energy of Government." more employment; and hence arose thedoctrineegiof eprotecine
Then follows the picture that' was drawn of the position in tion.—(Ministerial cheers, and ironical cheers from the Op-
which Government would' be placed if' they permitted the position.)
principles laid down to be violated. " No' doubt you would system, the could they show them that, under t present
people would have a larger amount of he
food and
easily find gentlemen to carry on the administration of Go- a larger. amount of employment? The rice were the parties
vernment, respectable men, and fully -equal to the duties who profited by the present system, and he would admit,
of the executive, without meeting with the censure of Par- for the moment, the working classes. Notwithstanding
liatnent ; but if you be satisfied with the mere discharge of what had been said, the manufacturers had not been gainers.
executive functions, and do not insist neon ' the power of They complained last year, and though they might be making
carrying into effect by legislation the advice' you think it small profits bnethe home trade, they
your duty to give to the Crown, what need is there of con- port trecle.—(Hear, hear.) It the House thought he was
cent among Ministers, and what are the consequences that arguing fiir a restoration of protection such as they had be-
must follow, what encouragement do you' give to the House fore, they quite misunderstood him. He had also said that
of Commons to trespass on the prerogative of the Crown ? they should first exhaust every other mode. It seemed to
It the Government say ' We are independent
eof the 1%6- him that the object of Gentlemen opposite was to have some
lativd measures and•divisions of this House, that which is ground of quarrel.—(Hear, hear, and laughter, from the Op_
your ,eculiarlanCtion we will disregard, our fate shall not position.) The Honourable Member (Mr. Cobden) saw they
depend upon your decisions, nothing but your interference were npt Protectionists, and he was determined to make them
with our executive administration shall influence oar reteu- so.—(Hear, hear.) At that moment he did not think it
tion of -power,' what an inducement do you not hold out fair toiask of Lord Derby's Government a more explicit de-
to the House of Commons to interfere with the prerogatives claration than had been made.— (Cheers, and ironical
of the Crown ?" Permit me now to read the following sett- cheas.D It the farmers of England thought proper to have
tences :—" It is inconsistent with all usage, and inconsistent confidence in Lord Derby's Government, what was it to
with the spirit of the Constitution, that a Government Honoatable Gentlemen opposite? They thought the country
should be enabled to select the measures which it thinks would pot return to a Protectionist Government, and there-
proper to submit to the consideration of a condemned Par- tore they wanted Ministers to go to the
country.—(Hear,
liament, that it should withdraw some and submit others, hear.) But Government would not take thatco
that it 'should tell the Parliament,' an immediate dissolu- (Ironical cheers from the Opposition.) They bad several -
tion is 'in contemplation, but before we dissolve we will just things to complete—they had to complete free trade, which '
bring forward those measures, the rejection of which we at present was one• sided. —(Hear, hear.) They had next to
think•most likely to damage the House of Commons ie the complete reciprocity; then to complete protection; and also
eyes of their constituents; we will propose popular voter, to complete the revision of taxation. He (Mr. CayleY)
such, 'for example, ae that' for advancing money for, the con- thought he remembered that the Noble Lord (Lord John
struction of railways in Ireland ;we will bring forward la r- Russell) had said that the present was nut the fit time to
m
Ocular measures which we are of opinion may aid the party dissolve Parliament.— (He, hear )If that were so, would
cause of our Administration, but respecting every measure they not allow the Noble Lord at. the head of the Govern-
which we have hither.° described as essential to the welfare meat to exercise his discretion?—(Hear, hear, from the
of the country—measures the principle of which has been Ministerial side.) 'When the Noble Lord (Earl Derby) was.
affirmed by large majorities in Parliament, but the greater not going to introduce an measures measures of his own, but to carry
st Eofurtohpee,seesi
discussion of which may prejudice our cause at the hustings through such as were in rotgreses,
—respecting them we will exercise our own discretion as to the season of the
hyear,and when they considered
s"onliitheet stater
ll°
wis,la eytohaer
etnhnoeya
reahgael 1
thebe ia broughtouse
otforewoamrdmoonrswtiothtrheealpdaa.'
was thef
opinion that for the few remaining
of the metropolis, and the
executive Government's province, and you encourage the throwhthe e he had
to
hbusinesssition 0 alluded to, that they ought to
lHwohice-hGoeernment. Last year they
would be necessary to carry
executive, not to bring forward on their own responsibility accede
measure of which they approve, but to frame measures said that thteePrportoecpoionists
Govern-
with a view to party operations on a dissolution of Parlia-ment If that be so, why coule not carry on the
not " give them rope enough?"—
ment. If that be your position constitutionally, what due bear hear, and laughter.) Why not give them some
then devolves on Members of the House of Commons? boeys (month's' experience?
tey
there not devolve on them this most:paramount obligation— why should If they had any confidence, in truth
that they, for the' maintenance of the rights of the Crown, rience would not object? He would ask why a little expe-
be beneficial to the country? He could
ancifor their Protectioa against these evil consequences, should not help thinking that the present Government should be
,of declaring-th-eir '.3.:
by precipitate interference interference with the
take the first opportunity, not
d—ah(ligeeraL, htehaer.n)angAesr,
Government, but calmly and deliberately
fait. cetoiuorusse m opposition
utst rin; g
to.
permitted to choose their time for a dissolution of Parlia.
xeeetnnoet as the Noble Lord (Lord John Russell) had cliosen
merit
(Hear, hear.)
sense of the great danger wichbYsucah
.o the second question hiLord J. RUSSELL said—We have here two very great
and important questions to consider—one the question of the
tis, that you shall take
the
oCf
whatConstitution?—(Hear titui
stitohne?
Constitution, and another, the question of the policy, the
. , _
842 to the
by sapnhat which you cannot take by tcommercial policy, which has been pursued from 1.
8 orm.—(Hear, hear.)of the
You know that you dare not directly which present time. Now, Sir, with respect to the question.
has secured the enjoyments of the assail the policy
te
h Constitution, upon which I think much misapprehension has
House of Commons is pledged ; butPbeople, and to whiocth
take
existed, and in relation to which much has been
d,allegedlwill
by assault, you attempt to take by ecause you cannot
mime, against me which I believe to be totally
TheE es,
undeserved,
fearvtee Ministry
My Hon. Friend who has hist satd a newandetasoitehe
speech state what occurs to me on that subject.
although I was
of the Earl of Derby, expressin himself9wnreferred
l telsatisfied resigned office, and it appeared to me that
g comp e Majesty to send for any one,
with the tenor of that elate my not bound to recommend her
speech. Let me congragreatestparty '
of the
Honourable Friend upon his b •great deal more yet, as Lord Derby was at the head
eing a find support in this
easily satisfied than other people this House, and was more likely to
d to me consonant
a great many Minister, it seeme
who have great difficulty in comprehending the meaning of House than any other
d her Majesty to send for the
that speech. But let my Hon. Friend go with me a little with my duty to recommend
maj3s
y,
t and, as I expected,
into that speech, of which the principle laid down is, that Earl of Derby. He saw h
executed the commands of her Majesty.
the policy of 1842 was right, but that the policy of 1846 was accepted office, and _.nistry
then became one that
wrong;; and that you should control the policy which was The position of the new All
unfortunately adopted in 1846 with the policy of the tariff was consonant with our Parliamentary constitution. They
seats and appear here
of the United States of America. Let me remind you, first had nothing to do but to take their
of the way in which the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the as Ministers of the Crown. Brit what was their next
Exchequer spoke of the American tariff. I have an extract step? They had avowed that they differed in opinion from
adopted and pursued sines 1846. One
from his speech, regarding the American
.tariff, when the the commercial
policytbey Might have taken, and that was the
He said—" The result course thereupon
income-tax was renewed in 1848.
reasonable. They might have taken the course of
of a trade carried on between a country which permits free most
existing House of Commons, and proposing the
re-
imports, and one which maintains hostile tariffs is, that the taming
which they thought desirable to that House. That
the
exports of the former are diminished in proportion to the
measures
the course taken by Lord Grey when I
as organ of
That is to say, that the exports of was
amount of their tariffs."
Government, proposed the Reform Bill lobe House of
in which free trade was established diminished, that
a country ammoelected under the Government of the Duke of
that maintained hostile tariffs in- et ns e
while those of the countryt that
Right
wenington. I myself had taken a smiler course in 1846,
creased. Now, let me ask
when I proposed to the House of Commons in which Sir R.
this, that for eight
he would account for years there was 10
erce trials change in the amount of our trade but that U 2 Peel had a majority an alteration of the sugar duties, and.
p p
d I carried on the business of the Government during that
1842 it began'to spring, and in four years it s
had Increlass4e6,
and the succeeding session with that House of Commons.
from filey to sixty millions. Then came the policy of
which Lord Derby, although he will not absolutely re tee, But, if that were not the course that the present Goveine
is confiessedly prepared to modify. In the six at
meat thought proper to take, there was another course;
have el apsed since 1846 our trade has increased to , ye,tr,' s vet
t%
ni , attended with some. public inconvenience I admit, and to
• which there were object'perfectly constitutional
after the sys- 1 ions, but
lions—ghat is to say; increased more rapidly
during
the 1 and perfectly open to them. That was to declare, as the
tem of trec2imports had' been introduced than I
themeantime i Secretary of State for the Colonies declared the other day,
period 'intervening between 1842 and 1846. In
with
' that, wishing to revise, to alter,and to modify the policy
what was the condition of the other country, America,.t
a cif ;of Parliament wit]; regard roa No irade, in which hog
oi trice 0 0
which we are comPered? I hold in wY1161.2.7„--e lulu,. , .