The Sun.
London, England, 1839-03-15 00:00:00

with this difference certainly, that the members of the Cabinet
in that House who were against a change of the law at that
time, were now he believed, generally, in favour of a change.—
(Cheers, and hear, hear.) He had now concluded the
various topics on which he intended to address the House.
I trust, said the Noble Lord, that although what I have
said may have wanted face to induce Honourable Mem-
bers to change their opinions, that I have not used any of those
arguments-which-I• was •'sorry to- hear-used by different' Mem.:
bers on both sides of the question, that it is because landowners
sr manufacturers have a personal interest ..in this ques-
ion—that it ,is en the ground of personal interest
they are about to give their votes on this subject; all I wish to
say en that question is, that there are, no doubt, a very great
number of Members of this House who are connected with land,
and who have more interest in the maintenance of the pros-
, perky of land th.tn• in that of manufactures.• I, how-
ever, have no doubt, they will come .to a conscientious
opinion on this subject, but this I must say, that it behoves them
on account. of that interest to watch theeaselves the more carefully—
to take care that any interest they have, does not prejudice them
against the general public interests of the country, and to be more
cautious than they would be if it were a question of no personal in.
terect cm one side or the other. I trust they wilt so consider it, and
that before they coma to a vote, they will give due weight to every
argument in favour of a change.—(Hear, hear.) .It is a question
of great importance to the country. Ido not say that instant...ruin is to
fallow vOur deter mination if you do not agree t the motion, and lam
'-
far trona being of opinion that increased prosperity would directly
follow its adoption. This country hes still to suffer much from great
burthens, in consequence of obligatious hanging upon it, and the
wars that it thought right to. engage, in. The burthens—the weight
of which must attach. to it—cannot be destroyed or taken away
wAhout en attempt which I trust no Member of this House will
consent to; but it is in your power, in some respects,' to lighten
those burthens—in some respects to give a fair scope to the energies
of the country ; and by incressing. its wealth, by increasing its means,
and by briugiog actively to its commerce, and giving, great
scope to its manufactures, it is in your power in some degree to
lighten and alleviate those burdens; mad I trust that if you can be
persuaded thp• adoption of this motion, and the reconsideration of
the Corn-laws, will in any way tend to that end, that you will cheer.
fully adopt it, regardless of whatever private interests may dr may
not be affected by your decision.—(Cheers.)
Mr. 3IILNES then rose to address the House ; but the continued
cries of " Divide, divide," prevented the Hon. Member from ad.
dressing the House; and notwithstanding the loud and repeated
cries of " Order, order," from the Speaker, an incessant clamour
was kept up,- which was entirely created by the Members
sitting on the lower benches of the Conservative side of the House.
several Members on the Ministerial side calling out " Order, order."
Sir James Graham, Lord. Clive, and other Gentlemen near Mr.
Milnes, endeavoured to persuade him to sit down, but without
snccess. When the tumult had in some degree subsided,
The SPEAKER, very emphatically said, disorder in your pro-
ceedings can have no other etl'ect, then to render it impossible to
collect the sense of the House with regard to its future proceed-
ings, end such au attempt to terminate such a debate can reflect
nothing hut discredit on yourselves.—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. MILNES said the House roust be aware that it was
from no foolish vanity he wished to trespass on its indulgence ; and
that unless he bad been aware it was impossible the debate could end
chat evening, he would not have attempted- to have forced himself
upon the House.—(Cries of " Oh, and " Divide, divide.") A
vest number of Members then le,t the House. (The noise in the
House was such, frem the buzz *of conversation. and Members
leaving, thaiwe heard the
.Hop. Member veil, indisdinctly.) The
repeal of the Corn-laws would cause a reduction in the rent of
land, which would ruin the smaller proprietors. Would it not be
unwise to make this country dependent upon such a country as
Russia—a power which had disregarded their engagements with
every, ceuntxy in regard to commercial relations. It would be
a much more creditable course for the manufacturers of this
country to direct their attention .to- unemployed field of en-
terprize, than to attempt to pillage the landed proprietors of
•Engltuid.—( Hear, hear.)
Pn the motion of Mr. HUME the &bate was adjourned to
this day. . • •