The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-13 00:00:00

of the people knows the cause, and though the result may
constitute a burthen, there is no complaint. And it is not
going too far to say that there are many amongst the far-
mers, especially those who have not good crops in the
ground, who have their turn at last. But, setting aside
political and temporary exceptions, you are justified in
speaking of the continuing and increasing prosperity of all
in this country. (Cheers.) It is a great and gratify-
ing fact—it is a fact that we may contemplate with satis-
faction, because it carries with it no necessary mixture of
evil, on the contrary, we have got rid of a cause that lcd
to opposition between the interests of classes, and continu-
ally threatened more or less the peace if not the har-
mony and good will of the country. (Hear, hear.) We owe
our thanks, first, to God for having permitted us to see a
measure passed that has so much promoted our progress,
and upon which we can likewise dwell with satisfaction.
(Hear, hear.) The reason for our satisfaction does not, I
trust, arise from the fact that those who were rich before
have become somewhat richer now ; a much higher purpose
than that has been attained by recent legislation. In re-
gard to the accumulation of wealth, we should recollect
these holy words, " If riches increase, set not your heart•
upon them." It is not for that reason, but because we
have augmented the enjoyments of the working classes,
that we congratulate you upon the change that has been
brought about—(cheers)—upon the operations of that
change, upon the state of the nation, and the relative atti-
tude of the nation, and the condition of the community at
large. (Cheers.) 14 is our cheerful hope that by augmenting
and opening up the channels of commerce we shall bring
about a more constant intercourse amongst nations, which
will necessarily tend to abate the rivalry that divided and
estranged countries from one another, and will beget sen-
timents of amity that will tend at least to obviate those
occasions when the sword has been drawn for the arbitra-
tion of national differences so far as respects nations.
(Hear, hear.) Labour has been ordinarily the lot of man,
but when cheerfully performed has the character of a bless-
ing. It has likewise in its operation the character of a
burden that was imposed, I may say judicially, upon our
race, and that burden has been lightened by recent legisla-
tion. (Hear, hear.) That legislation which appears in its
first aspect to concern pounds, shillings, and pence, should
rather be contemplated in its real aspect and social tenden-
cies, as lightening those burdens that doomed the mass of
mankind to labour, and as serving to liberate the spirit of
man from those necessities which belong to him. (Cheers.)
It enables the father to make a surer and more abundant pro-
vision for his wife and children, and it affords him the moans
of repose that may set his spirit free forth° contemplation of
higher interests and objects. If those things have been
done, and done we know they have been, that is a result in
which all men who have borne a part in its promotion, how-
ever insignificant, may justly take a deep and cordial plea-
sure. (Cheers.) For myself, the part I performed in it
"18 no)—but I stand in the presence of a com-
munity who had a great share in effecting this beneficial,
and I must call it, blessed change. (Cheers.) It is a change
of that character which commonly belongs rather to the
imagination to conceive, than to the understanding to
embody in a practical system, and for statesmen to bring
forward. (Hear, hear.) It has been scattering plenty over
•a smiling land, and we see the result not only in the com-
fort that is visible in your great community and elsewhere,
but in the state of mind that prevails throughout England ;
and the true and real harmony which—though it never can
be fully realised in this world—comes nearer to our hopes
and more within the range of human fortune than fifteen
or twenty years ago we could venture to presume it would
be. (Cheers.) The community of Manchester may look
back with satisfaction on the part it has played in promote
ing this great change in recent legislation- -that change has
made in this country great progress towards its full con-
summation, but we must recollect that it has scarcely
'begun amongst other nations of the world. But the move-
ment which has arisen in this country will, I trust, pass
-over the surface of the earth. (Cheers.) And if, in former
times, England has been too ready with the warlike hand,
and might have set on some occasions a better example to
the nations of the world, I trust she is now giving a les-
son to the legislators of other countries that will gradually
extend from place to place, until the utmost result that can
be hoped for shall be accomplished. (Cheers.) You, gen-
tlemen, will enjoy satisfaction in witnessing that result,
such as no other local community can experience. As for
my part, my efforts carry with them their own reward,
or if they did not, I should find an ample, and
far more than ample recompence for any amount ei
toil they entailed, in those documents that now lie
before me, and which have recorded the sense of this com-
munity—the generous and indulgent sense pushed be-
yond what j ustice would warrant—(no, no)—of ray exer-
tions in favour of those principles to which it has been my
delight to lend a helping hand in the struggles of past
years, and to the maintenance of which, after what I have
seen to-day, I need hardly tell you, I shall continue to be
humbly and faithfully attached. (Loud cheers, amidst
which the right hon. gentleman resumed his seat.)
The MAYOR then announced that that part of the pro-
ceedings had terminated ; and, under his worship's guid-
ance, the Chancellor of the Exchequer passed to the apart-
ment allotted for the banquet.