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

MR. GLADSTONE IN MANCHESTER.

MANCHESTER, OcT. 12.
This busy mart of trade has been for some time past in
a state of considerable excitement in anticipation of the
visit of Chancellor of the Exchequer. Up to a recent
period, Manchester, and the district of which Manchester
is the centre, has not been faVoured with the visits of
English statesmen. Deprived of the political franchise up
to 1832, Manchester was not, like its neighbour Liverpool,
or like Bristol, an object of interest to the aspirants for
senatorial honours. No Burke, Canning, or Huskisson
visited its Exchange, or harangued its citizens ; and its
great cotton trade grew up unfostered by political patron-
age. For a time, too, the citizens of Manchester were so
busily employed in building up that enormous edifice of
the world that they had no time for the discussion of poli-
tics ; and, in consequence, they counted for little in the
influences that swayed the destinies of the country. The
formation of the League changed all that, and Manchester
suddenly took up a position among the political forces of
England, which she is not likely soon to lose. Great com-
mercial changes were effected, chiefly at her bidding ; and
on all political questions her voice, speaking through her
representatives, is deferentially heard. The visit of Lord
John Russell a few years ago testified to the importance
which Manchester was beginning to assume in the eyes of
statesmen ; and the reception he then met with was such
as to leave him no cause to regret his journey, while it
constituted a sufficient inducement for others to follow his
example. Mr. Gladstone's visit on the present occasion is,
we believe, the first instance, after Lord John, where a
distinguished statesman and financier has visited the capi-
tal of the cotton districts. His visit, however, it is due to
him to say, was originally altogether unconnected with
political objects. He intended only a private visit to some
personal friends, and the only ceremony of a public nature
in which he proposed to take part was in the consecration
of a church at Denton, a few miles from Manchester, which
has been built and is about to be opened through the mu-
nificence of an old and intimate college friend of his own,
the Rev. Mr. Greswell. But the people of Manchester,
learning that he was to be in their neighbourhood, were
unwilling to allow the occasion to go by without paying
some mark of honour to a statesman who, more than any
other, has inherited the principles had drunk in the spirit
of Sir Robert Peel, and hence the present ceremonies that
have greeted his visit.
It happened fortunately that the statute of Sir Robert
Peel, which Manchester, in common with almost every
town of any size in the kingdom, has determined to erect
to his honour—forming a curious commentary, by the way,
on the self-denying disinterestedness by which the lamented
statesman forbade his family to accept any honour from the
Crown for the services he had rendered the country—has
been just finished by the sculptor, Mr. Calder Marshall,
and was ready for the inauguration. Mr. Gladstone's visit
coinciding so exactly with the time of that ceremony, it
was felt by the eommittee of the subscribers that nothing
could be more auspicous nor more graceful than to have
present at the ceremony the man who, in all that concerns
free trade at least, may be said to have inherited the spirit
of Sir Robert Peel—the essayist who did so much by his
writings to prepare the public mind for the great com-
mercial change—the administrator who, by his unwearied
devotion to the subject, enabled Sir Robert to bring for-
ward a free-trade tariff, in which the most jealous eyes
could detect neither defects nor inconsistencies—the states-
man who upheld in the senate the changes which his chief
had instituted, and championed their principles almost
single-handed against all opponents. The inauguration
of the " Peel Statue" was, therefore, universally felt to be
the most appropriate ceremony that could have been de,
vised to introduce Mr. Gladstone to the citizens of Man-
chester.

The ceremony was fixed to take place at 12 o'clock_to-
day. Long before that hour, and indeed as soon as eight
o'clock in the' morning, groups of people began to gather
round the Infirmary, at the upper of end of which, front-
ing Market-street, the statue is placed. By 12 o'clock these
groups had swelled into a dense crowd, which completely
tilled the broad area in front. From the different ware-
houses and other large buildings in the immediate neigh-
bourhood, large flags waved in honour of the occasion, and
several of the millowners gave their workers a holiday, that
they might participate in the joyous proceedings. The
crowd that was collected was indeed so great that, coupled
with the imperfect arrangements made for preserving
order, it had nearly led to serious consequences. There was
no palisading erected to keep off the multitude. The iron
railings in the immediate front of the Infirmary served as a
sufficient barrier in that direction ; but at the upper end,
where it was intended to keep a space open for the entrance
of the corporation and committee of subscribers, there was
no other barricade than that formed by the policemen, the
consequence was, that every few minutes a rush was made
from behind, and nothing but the most desperate efforts of
the policemen, and an occasional free use of their batons,
preserved the space clear. In the end, however, authority
triumphed, and, in spite of the occasional collisions, gene-
ral good humour prevailed.
About twelve o'clock the corporation and subscribers
came in procession upon the ground, headed by Mr.
Barnes, the mayor. The corporation presented a some-
what piebald appearance, for the great question of
gown or no gown, which about the time of the
Queen's visit raged so furiously in Manchester, is not yet
extinguished. Hence, about half of the aldermen appeared
in their red cloaks—the portly form of Sir John Potter being
conspicuous among this party—and half the town coun-
cillors were robed in blue, while the other half wore only
the ordinary morning dress. The elite of Manchester were
also admitted inside the enclosure. Among these were the
Right Rev. the Bishop of Manchester, Mr. Brown, M.P.
for the county • Mr. Brotherton, M.P. for Salford ; Mr.
Bazley, president of the Chamber of Commerce; Mr.
Fairbairn, C.E. ; Mr. Aspinall Turner, president of the
Commercial Association ; Mr. Entwistle, late member for
the county, and others. Neither of the city members was
present.

The scene at this time was of a very imposing character.
The wide area in front of the Infirmary was completely
occupied, the house tops were crowded with people, and
every window that commanded a view of the statue was
filled with groups of elegantly dressed ladies, who s emed
to take great interest in the whole proceeding's. e
About a quarter-past twelve, Mr. Gladstone arrived,
accompanied by Mrs. Gladstone and Mr. J. C. Harter
(with whom he is staying), the Bishop of Oxford, and
some other friends. He was received by the crowd with
loud cheers. So soon as the cheering had subsided, PRESENTATION OF ADDRESSES.
th the
corporation—the
The company then adjourned to the Town-hall, where it
Alderman POTTER commenced the proceedings by stating
that this was an event of great importance to Manchester. was intended that addresses should be presented to Mr.
It was the inauguration of the first public statue that had Gladstone from the Town Council, the Chamber of Cona-
dseeantsselwyereanred
sermreodstfor
ever been erected in Manchester, and that statue was de. merce, and the Commercial Association. The large hall
dicated to the memory of a great statesman, who, in the
fwroaant
course of his long career, had proved himself the most
able, the most enlightened, and the most far-seeing of her for the Majesty's subjects. (Cheers.) He had no doubt that the or mayor and the heads of the different commercial
inconveniently
crowded.
pl at f oTrhme
thousands now around him sympathised in their pro- bodies, and Mr. Gladstone and his friends, who accom-
ceedings. He was proud to think that the statesman panied him from the site of the statue to the Town-hall.
whose memory they had met to honour, connected, as he About twenty minutes
after one o'clock the Chancellor
was, with the trade of this district, had effected the of the Exchequer entered the hall, and was received with
greatest benefit to England which this country had ever loud and reiterated cheers. The mayor took the chair,
experienced. They wanted not proofs of the benefits of having Mr. Gladstone seated on his right.
Sir R. Peel's measures. They had increased the content- Order having been restored,
meat, the comfort, and the happiness of the millions who The MAYOR addressed Mr. Gladstone, and said it was a
inhabited this country. (Cheers.) Other advantages would, most cordial satisfaction to him, in his official capacity, to
indeed, have been small, had not the working classesof the welcome him to Manchester. He believed Manchester
country participated in them. (Cheers.) The members was always willing to honour public men, but in his case
of the Peel Monument Committee were here to resign they were also anxious to do honour to his private worth
their trust, and to offer to the citizens the result of and virtues. (Cheers.) As a statesman, they had. reasons
'
their labours, end they trusted that result would be satis- to honour him for his consistent advocacy of thenecidon e
ple
factory to the people, worthy of the town, and worthy of of free trade, and for having in his present
office
Peel began.
the man they wished to commemorate. He might recall much to complete and perfect what Sir Robert
the deep gloom pervading, not Manchester alone, but the (Cheers.) The council of Manchester was composed of all
whole kingdom, when that great man was snatched from shades of political opinion, but he had great pleasure in
them. At that moment there was a numerous feeling stating that the address to him was agreed to unani-
that some monument should be raised to his memory, and piously, and he believed it represented the sentiments of
though it was resolved that the subscriptions should be all classes in Manchester.
by the TOWN
limited in each case to 20 guineas, yet in four days it The following address was then read h
amounted to upwards of 3,000/. Since then it had been CLERK :
raised to 5,100/. Upwards of 1,000 firms had subscribed, "To the Right Honourable William Ewart Gladstone,
and many of the working classes had contributed their M.P., Chancellor of the Exchequer, &c.
mites. It was to be remembered that Salford and Bury "We,
the mayor, aldermen, and citizens of the .
city of
had also raised statues to his memory. He hoped they
Manchester,in council
assembled, gladly avail ourselves of
would have reason to be proud of their own. He had also
the gratification of stating that there was present amen.'
the opportunity afforded of bidding you welcome on the oc-
casion of your visit to the capital of the manufacturing dis-
them the most distinguished pupil and colleague of Sir R.
Peel—the Chancellor of the Exchequer. (Cheers.) He had
tricts, and of assuring you on behalf of the vast population
whom we represent, of the high estimation in which you
already been introduced to the inhabitants of Manchester,
and he was sure that the more they knew of him the more are held for your exemplary private worth and character,
they would give him their support. (Cheers.) Sir R. and of the gratitude felt for the great public services whi •ch
Peel had brought it about that the country could be ruled, you have rendered to your country.
" not for party motives, but for the public good ; and Mr. We refer with feelings of admiration to your generous
and disinterested efforts in the cause of suffering humanity
Gladstone, in carrying out his principles, had almost de-
party feeling in this country, and had accom- at a time when you were seeking repose, and travelling in
plishedl
what Mr. Pitt could not do—he had carried a search of renewed health, when you publicly and in ig t -
measure which bid fair to be one of the most lasting bene- nantly. denounced the persecutions with which you became
fit. (Cheers.) He apologised for detaining them so long, acquainted, and by the eloquence of your pen, and the
and now he hoped they would accept the statue. [The influence deservedly attaching to your name and character,
statue was here uncovered amidst the cheers of the crowd, endeavoured in the face of Europe to compel a recognition
after which Sir John continued.] Such is the result of of the great principles of civil liberty, and the rights of
our labours. I now transfer it, Mr. Mayor, to you, and to conscience. (Loud cheers.)
the municipality, and hope it will prove a lasting memorial "Itis a gratification to see amongst us so distinguished
of one of the greatest Englishmen that ever lived. (Cheers.) a member of the Cabinet, which now watches over the
The MAYOR then addressed the meeting, accepting the affairs of this empire, and which is happily formed of the
trust reposed in him as the organ of the corporation. most able and experienced statesmen of the age, who with
As a work of art, he thought it would be a lasting me- a heatriotic disregard of party considerations, are, as we
"'lento to the skill and genius, of Dir. Marshall, the sculp- believe, united together for the purpose of carrying out
tor. Regarded as a memorial of him, whose image and , such measures as shall conduce to the honour of the Crown,
superscription it bore, they could never look upon it with ( and the benefit of the whole community.
out a feeling of thankfulness to Providence for having "As one of the most powerful and successful advocates
raised up such a man at such, a crisis. (Cheers.) His of the great principles of commercial freedom which will
name, indeed, had secured a resting place in every home be for ever identified with the name of Sir Robert Peel,
whose firesides were cheered and comforted by the men- we are glad to welcome you at the time when the first
sures be had carried. (Cheers.) It was a matter of re- public monument in this city, erected by the contributions
joicing that they had present with them on this occasion of thousands of our fellow-citizens, is inaugurated to the
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who had worked with memory of that able and distinguished statesman with
Sir Robert Peel in maturing the measures of free trade whom you were long associated in office, and who largely
and who was their most active and consistent supporter. profited by your co-operation and support.
(Cheers.) It would ever be a pleasant recollection that "We offer to you our grateful acknowledgments for the
that distinguished statesman was present at the inaueu- comprehensive and consistent financial scheme which during
ration of a statue which he trusted would hand down to the last session was introduced by you to the House of
future ages the feelings of admiration which Manchester Commons, with an eloquence of statement, an enlarged
entertained for the memory of Sir Robert Peel. (Loud intelligence, and a clearness and force of reasoning
cheers.)
which excited universal admiration, and rendered opposi-
tion
tfutile—(cheers)—and which, as the natural and neces-
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER came forward to a y result,
wrnveriumphantly carried through both houses
address the assembly, and was received with loud cheers. of the Legislature.
When silence was restored, the right honourable gentle- "By the removal of the anomalies and inequalities of
man said :—Mr Mayor and gentlemen, although I have not taxation, you have given to the fiscal arrangements of this
countrya consistency and stability which has been hitherto
the title, although I have not the right to address you unknown.
which belongs to your worthy chief magistrate, and the "We find within
your scheme the principle of commer-
title which belongs to the gentleman who has so ably dis- ) cial freedom fully recognised and largely extended ; and in
charged his trust to-day as chairman of the Peel Menu- the abolition of the duty on soap, the most important tax
' meat Committee, yet I hope you will permit me to say a 1 remaining on any article of necessary consumption erased
from the statute book.
of interest so deep to all,
"Therein was embodied, an
those who really know d almost without opposition
and who lolly Appreciate the passed—in the imposition of the tax on successions—(cheers)