The Sun.
London, England, 1840-01-14 00:00:00

I•

GREAT 1
ANTI - CORN- LAIVI
BANQUET
AT MANCHESTER.

MANCHESTER, YESTERDAY.
The grand Anti-Corn-law dinner at Manchester, which
has excited so much interest throughout all parts of the
kingdom, took place yesterday afternoon in the temporary
pavilion erected for the purpose in Peter-street. The
dimensions and decorations of the building, &e., the ac-
count of which we yesterday copied from the Manchester
Guardian, from our own cursory observation, we believe
to be substantially correct.
The following, en the same subject, we take from the
Anti. Corn-law Circular :
" The immense extent of this erection and the vast
multitude seated within it, will, of themselves, render it
a spectacle of extraordinary interest. Exclusive of the
store and anti-rooms, which comprehend nearly as much
more, the grand Banquet Hall will embrace an area of 50
by 35 yards. There will be twenty-five tables, which will
run parallel to each other across the hall, at one end of
which, on an elevation, there will be two transverse tables
at which the guests and deputations will be accommodated.
The gallery extends along three sides of the pavilion, the
space beneath forming spacious passages of approach to
the various tables. The roof and sides of the 'building are
covered with white and pink cloth, beautifully relieved
in the more conspicuous parts by gorgeous draperies,
ornamented with splendid and appropriate devices, printed
in brilliant colours intermixed with silver. Great atten-
tion has been paid to the preparation of the ground,
which has been deeply laid with ashes, and above this
will be laid a flooring of thick planks. The pavilion will
present the advantage of solid comfort as well as the
charm of elegance and splendour, and in the list of its
attractions it would be unpardonable to forget the dazzling
array of " Ladies fair," whom we expect to grace the
whole front of the extensive gallery. Tickets have
been already purchased for the female branches of several
of our most distinguished families."
The number for which it was estimated the pavilion
would provide accommodation was 4,000, and we believe
considerably above that number were present. The ex-
cellent arrangements of the Committee, and the issue of
variously-coloured tickets, enabled this immense assem-
blage to proceed to their places at the different tables with-
out the slightest inconvenience or confusion.
Mr. O'Connell arrived from Liverpool by the three
o'clock train, and was met at the station on the Liverpool
road, by an immense assemblage of persons, bearing flags
and banners, with appropriate inscriptions, and preceded
by a band of music. The Honourable Gentleman was
greeted with loud cheers on his arrival, and immediately
proceeded to the house of Daniel Lee, of Salford, and
after remaining there for about half an hour, joined the
other Members of Parliament and guests at Bywater's
Hotel.
At four o'clock the company began to arrive, and
although at that hour " the clink of hammers closing rivets
up," had not entirely ceased within the building the seats
were rapidly filled, and before five o'clock the galleries and
the body of the pavilion were densely crowded in every part.
The front seats of the galleries were almost exclusively
occupied by ladies, including a great portion of the " rank,
beauty, and fashion" of Manchester, and the surrounding
district, and presented a very brilliant and animated ap.
pearance. The arrangements for lighting and ventilating
the vast edifice were excellent, and notwithstanding the
immense multitude who were densely packed within it,
little incovenieuce was experience in these particulars
during a very protracted sitting.
At half past five the Chairman J. B. Smith, Esq., ac-
companied by the distinguished guests of the evening,
entered the room, amidst loud and general cheering.
Mr. O'Connell arrived shortly after the company had
taken their seats, and came in for a distinct round of ap-
plause,
the band striking up the favourite
air of
".Garry Owen."
Among those at the principal table we observed—
Daniel O'Connell, Esq., M.P. ; Hon. C. P. Villiers,
M. P. ; Mark Philips, Esq., M. P. ; G. %V. Wood, Esq.,
M. P. ; F. Thornely, Esq., M.P. ; Richard Walker,
Esq., M.P.; J. Phillpotts, Esq., M.P. ; Edward Baines,
Esq., M. P. ; Peter Ainsworth, Esq., M. P. ' • Schole-
field, Esq., M. P. ; H, Aglionby, Esq., M. P. ; Henry
Marsland, Esq., M. P. ; James Stewart, Esq., M. P. ;
William Ewart, Esq., NI. P. ; Joseph Brotherton, Esq.,
M.P. ; N. A. Vigors, Esq., M.P. ; R. Holland, Esq.,
M. P. ; Oswald, Esq., M. P. ; T. Gisborne, Esq., M. P. ;
Sir De Lacy Evans, M. P. ; Charles Hindley, Esq., M. P. ;
Wynn Ellis, Esq., M. P. ; Denistoun, Esq., M. P. ;
John Fenton, Esq., M. P. ; P. Chalmers, Esq., M. P. ;
T. Milner Gibson, Esq. ; Sharman Crawford, Esq. ; Dr.
Bowring; Rev. Thomas Spencer ; Dr. Epps ; Murdo
Young, Esq. ; Mr. Brookes, Boroughreeve of Manches-
ter ; George Thompson, Esq.; S. E. Bristowe, Esq ;
Edward 'Baines, jun., Esq. ; James Wilson, Esq., Lon-
don ; J. A. Young, Esq., ditto ; Ebenezer Elliott, the
corn•law; Rhymer.
Among tho Delegates present were, for the
TOWER HAMLETS—W. Cates, Esq., J. F. Gibson, Esq.
DUDLEY—Messrs. Blackburne and Palmer. SoUTH-
WARE—Three gentlemen. SETTLE—Mr. Thompson.
HASLINGDRN—SIX gentlemen. EDINBURGH—Messrs.
Wigharn and Thompson. Ceeersen--Four gentlemen.
SHEFFIELD—Messrs. S. Jackson, T. Wiley, Vickery, and
Ibbotson. ST. PANCRAS—Mr. Taylor. DUNFERMLINE
—Mr. Inglis. GLOSSOP—Mr. W. Platt. TAUNTON._
Mr. Boaden. DONCASTER—Messrs. Levison, Milner. and
Johnston. EIRKALDF—Messrs. Aytoun and .Petter.
GLASGOW—Messrs. Johnston, and two other gentlemen.
HORTON, (near Bradford)—Messrs. Illingswortb, Ricleaby,
Russell. Cousx—Mr. Thornton and Mr. Wm. Arkroyd.
WIGAN—The Mayor, Messrs. Herons, Evans, Thicknesse,
Bevan, Taylor, and Banks. NORTH BIERLRY—Mr. Bate-
man. LIVERPOOL—Mr. Wood and Wm. Earle, Esq.,
ROCHDALE—Mr. Petrie and Mr. John Hoyle. HALIFAX
—Messrs. John Baldwin, Wm. Dewhurst, John Gledhill,
Henry Meaton, and Frances Cropley. CHRCKHEATON—
Messrs. G. Anderson and Christopher Goldsthorpe. STA Y-
LIINBRIDGB—Mr. William Bevan, Joseph Patterson, J. P.
Mersdon, P. Arnold, D. Chatham, and D. Cunningham.
IDLE—Messrs. George Oldfield and Francis Audsloy.
HcnsLET (near Leeds)—Mr. Joshua Bower Shelf and Mr.
Peel. STOCKPORT—The Mayor, Alderman Purdleburv,
John Small, Esq., Mr. Wiltiam Nelstop, the Town-Cle k,
Charles Hudson, Mr. Sefton. BLACKBURNE—Messrs.
Eccles, Pilkington, Wilcock, a. d Abbott. FENTON—Mr.
C. 1. Mason BDRNLEY—Messrs. John Holgao and W.
Roberts. OLDHAM—Messrs. George Barlow, Taylor, I.
Ashcroft, John Chadwick, Scholes, Briesley, and John
Bentley. LEEDS—The Mayor, and Messrs. H Start_
field, E. Baines, jun., Goodman, Peter Fairburn, Wise,
and Wilkinson. BRADFORD—Messrs. Willigan, Clayton,
Luftun, and Oxley. WILSDIN—George Hanson, Esq.
In the course of the evening the CHAIRMAN read the
list of the deputations from the various towns which, in ad-
d ton to the foregoing, included deputations from Ashton
and Duckinfield, Aberdeen, Bolton, Carlisle, Congletori,
the Mayor and a Deputation from Cambridge—(Cheers)
—Darleston, Derby, Dublin, Hendon Bridge, a depute-
ton from Glasgow, with 5001. in their pockets—( Great
cheering)—Huddersfisld, Ruislip, Walsingham, the
Working Men's Association of Kendal, the Mayor and a
deputation from Kendal, Kircudbright, Lees (near Old-
ham), the Mayor and a deputation from Manchester.—
( Laughter, arid great cheering.) From the Manchester
Operative and Corn-law Association, Lancaster, Notting-
ham, Mottram, Preston, Paisley, including tho Rev. Mr.
Brewster -- ( Cheers) Rastrick, Rochdale, Sowerby-
bride, Stranraer, the Master Cutler and a deputation from
Sheffield, Stirling, the Operative Anti-Corn-law
Association of Sheffield, at the head of which was Ebenezer
Elliot, the celebrated Corn-law Rhymer—(Cheers)—
the Mayor and a deputation from Wigan, War-
rington, Wolverhampton ; the Working Men's Associa,
tion of North Essex; a Deputation from Leicester; the
Working Men's Association of Carlisle, from Newcastle-
on-Tyne, and from Cheltenham.
After the cloth had been removed, and grace said by
the Rev. Robert M'Kerrow,
The CHAIRMAN rose to address the vast assemblage.
He said—l have to request that the Gentlemen
whose forms have broken down—( Several of the seats
having fallen in)—to exercise a little patience and
every accommodation shall be afforded them.—( Hear,
hear.) The Council of the League have done me the
honour of placing me in the chair this evening; and when
I see the great• assemblage now before me, many of whom
come from the furthest parts of the kingdom, you will not
be surprised if I feel that I have undertaken a diffi-
cult task, and shall have need to trespass largely
on your indulgence. I have never appealed
to my fellow-townsmen in vain, and I am sure I shall riot
do so on the present occasion.—( Cheers ) Gentlemen,
I beg to remind you that this is no political party meeting.
—( Great cheering.) We are assembled here to. day for
a great national question—(Cheers)—in which men of all
party politics may unite without compromising their indi-
vidual opinions.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, it is one of the
rules of our Association that no party politics shall enter into
any discussion at any of our meetings, and I hope that will
be kept in mind this evening.—( Cheers.) Gentleme,
I think you will see the importance of preserving as much
silence as possible, as in this large spree, it will be impos-
sible for the speakers to make themselves heard.—
( Cheers.) Gentlemen, we have to apologise for the scanty
accommodation we have been able to afford to many of our
friends who have come upon us very suddenly from the
country, amounting to upwards of 100 delegates more than
we have had any account of. 1 hope this circumstance is ill
induce gentlemen to make every allowance.—( Cheers.)
The Committee have done all they could to afford accent.
modation to everybody.—(Continued cheering.) G,,0
to
b
tlemen I now call on you to fill your ;;lasses
and I have to request that any significhaatniodnss, of
prevent
may he made merely by clapping of
deafening noise that will otherwise be produced. 1 have
one toast to propose to you, and although there se,av be
men of all shades of political opinions, and from all parte
of the country here, I feel satisfied that, at least in this
toast, we shall all most cordially unite. Gentlemen, I
give you" Our Queen, the Duchess of Lancaster.''[The
toast was drank with tremendous cheering, which lasted
for several minutes.]
The CHAIRMAN shortly afterwards rose and said—Gen
tlemen, I have before me a long list of letters received from
Members of Parliament, and other distinguished persons,
favourable to ere repeal of the Corn-laws, but I fear they
would take up too mush of your time even to enumerate

therro I cannot, however, deny myself the pleasure of
reading an extract from a letter from Daniel B. G Ask ell,
Esq., of Compstell„: Hall.—(Cheers.) The Ceair-
man then read an extract from the letter, in which
the writer expressed his most anxious wish to see these
most unjust and oppressive laws—the Corn-laws—abo-
lished, and transmitting a check for 15/. to the Anti- Corn-
law League.—(Great cheering.) Lord Radnor also ex-
pressed his regret at being unable to attend, and observed,
There will be none at the banquet more hearty in the
cause than I am."—( Loud cheers.) The Marquis of
Westminster, in his letter, stated, " I am more than ever
convinced that the Corn-law monopoly is not only injurious
to the best interests of the country, but even to those who
so strongly oppose its repeal."—( Cheers. )
The CHLIRDIAN then rose and said--The toast I have
now to propose to you, is the total and immediate repeal
of the Corn and Provision-laws.—(Cheers.) That was
our first toast last year—do you see any reason for
changing it ?—( Loud cries of " No, no.") You
have had another year's experience of the
evils of the Corn-laws—do you think better
of them now than you did them (renewed cries of No.)
Have not all the evils that were predicted by those who
defended the repeal of the Corn-laws come to pass ?
(Cheers). Has not the sudden demand for corn created
a claim for gold ? (Cheers). Has not the claim for gold
caused a derangement of the currency ? Has not that
derangement of the currency caused distress among
our merchants. and manufacturers, and caused thousands
of industrious workpeople to be thrown out of employment.
All these things were foretold to be the effect of the Corn-
laws, and all this has come to pass ; and because we seek
the repeal of these laws we are called commercial swin-
dlers.—(Cheers.) Now let us inquire into the justice of
these charges. When corn is 40$. a quarter, and the
land-owner wishes to export his corn to purchase foreign
cotton, he gets it on the payment of 10 per cent, ; but if
the cotton manufacturer wants to export his goods to
buy foreign corn, he has to pay 140 per cent.--( Hear.)
Who then deserved to be called swindlers? The makers
and supporters of a law like this, or those who, like this
meeting, seek their repeal ?—( Cheers.) Gentlemen, we
are accused of making this question a mere struggle be-
tween the manufacturer and the landowner.—(Cheers.)
We do no such thing, but is it not natural that we should
alludeito the effect the Corn-laws have upon ourselves? We
contend that it is impossible that the commercial and
manufacturing interest can suffer without the landowner
suffering equally ultimately.—( Cheers.) What, I ask, is
it that gives value to the land ? I heard a striking answer
to that a short time ago. I was visiting a friend in the
country, and we were walking over the fields. As we
were doing so I inquired the value of the land, and the
reply he made to me was that the land is now worth 50s.
an acre ;it used to let for 7s.—( Cheers.) And, Gentle-
men, this was near the spot where Sir Robert Peel's
father was born. I expressed my surprise at such
an enormous increase in the rent of the land, and asked
my friend to account for it. He instantly turned round,
and pointing to a tall factory chimney which reared its
head in the distance, said that and others like make it the,
lend worth 50s. an acre.—(Cheers.) But, Gentlemen
while we see land increasing in value, and the country in
riches, there is one class, the largest of all, that are con-
stantly declining in their condition—l allude to the working
classes. It is gratifying to know there is a gradual and striking
improvement in the condition of the working classes all
over Europe.—( Cheers.) I was reading the other day a
very pleasing statement of the pauper funds for the City
of Paris, and I was gratified to perceive that since 1832
the number of paupers in Paris had diminished 10,000,
while the population had increased 126,000 —(Cheers.)
But I contrast the condition of the paupers in other parts
of the Continent with the condition of the working classes
in this country. What do we see ? why poor houses
rising up in every direction in the country, where
they are building prisons for the poor, for the purpose of
rendering them miserable.._( Cries of " Shame.") Does
not that show the declining condition of the working
classetothere.—(Cries of " It does.):What causes this ? can
any one question the cause ? It arises from taxation being
put on the shoulders of the poor.--( (Sheers. ) And, above
all, the bread tax—(Cheers)—which amounts to a
larger sum than all the other taxes put together,
and this is • a tax put upon those least able to
bear it. Is. it wonderful, therefore, that the working
classes should decline?--( Loud cheers.) But our legislature
seem determined to form a wall of brass around us on this
question.—( Cries of " Shame.") Look at our trade with
Europe; although our population has increased, our trade
with them has decreased. What is the reason of this ?
Why, that in consequence of the Corn-laws we cannot take
the produce that Europe would give us. We refuse to
take her corn and timber, and they in return refuse to take
our manufactures,—(Cheers.) Look at America : she at
this moment owes this country a large sum
of money, which she is unable to pay, but
God has blessed her this year with the most bounteous
harvest ever known, and if there were no Corn-laws the
debt of America to this country would be immediately paid
—(Cheers.) I was speaking the other day to the first
American merchant in Liverpool, who said that he regal ded
the Corn-laws in a very different light then to what be
had hitherto done. I cannot, be said, but apprehend that
a perseverance in our present policy will be productive of
the worst effects. America, unless this country takes
her corn, will exclude our manufactures. Now
this was confirmed by the American Minister who was here
a few weeks ago. Speaking on the question of the tariff,
he said, " You are stronger now than you were before,
on this question. Many an American would unite with
you in endeavouring to procure the diminution of that
ti:riff, if ycu will take their corn and timber; but (he said)
how can you expect they will take your manufactures un•
less you take their produce.—( Cheers.) Now that tariff
expires in 1142, and unless some change is made
we shall be seriously injured by our best customers.—
(Cheers.) Then turn your eyes on the German League.
Dr. Bowring, who is here---(Cheers)—in his interesting
communication to the Chamber of Commerce, distinctly
told us that he was authorised by the states of the Prus-
sian Commercial League, to say to our Government—
" Buy our corn, and we will buy your manufactures."—
(Cheers.) I speak this in the presence of Dr. Bowring
himself.—(Cheers.) Is not that a fair and reasonable pro-
position.—(Cheers.) Ought such a proposition to be
refused.—( Cries of " No.") Certainly not ; and I La)
that the Government that dared to sacrifice the interest of
the people in times like these by rejecting such proposi-
Itions, are traitors to their country.—( Great cheering.)
Well, then, gentlemen, what a tale of misery could the
Deputies unfold if they had time. Let the gentlemen
endeavour, by perseverance in the repeal of the Corn-
laws, obtain free trade, and banish pauperism, and crime,
and misery, by opening the world to our industry.--
(Cheers.) Let the accursed Corn-laws, like those
which sanctioned the traffic in human flesh and
blood, be immediatelyand totally repealed.—(Tremendous
cheers.) Gentlealen, at the last meeting this toast was
responded to by a Gentleman whom you have since done
the honour of electing as one of year representatives. I
allude to Mr, Greg.--( Cheers.) I regret, Gentlemen,
that indisposition has prevented us having the pleasure of
his company this day ; but I am sure there is no man
whose heart is more fully with us than Mr. Greg.
(Cheers, and cries of " We know it.") Mr. Greg, since
he met you last year, has spent several weeks on the
Continent, and he has come back with a firmer conviction
than ever of the necessity of the total repeal of the Corn
laws.—(Cheers.) I shall now, Gentlemen, introduce you
to our other representative, who will reply to this toast,
Mr. Mark Phillips.—(Cheers.)
Mr. M. PHILLIPS, M.P., then came forward. He wa
received with the most enthusiastic cheering, which lasted
for several minutes; when silence had been in sonic mea-
sure restored, the Honourable Gentleman proceeded
to address the vast assembly as follows :—I am
sure, gentlemen, that you will enter fully into
my feeling upon being called upon to address such
an assemblage as the present, I must confess I never ad-
dressed one equal to it lit point of numbers and respect-
ability before—(Cheers)—and it would require a courage
far greater than any public experience I have had would
give me, to address you without the greatest embarrass-
ment.—( Cheers.) I will, therefore, throw myself on
your indulgence, and ask you to excuse any omissions I
may make.—( Cheers.) If, Gentlemen, I feel physically
unable to perform the task assigned to me. I feel some
courage from the reflection that the cause I am de-
sirous of advocating is a just and a rightcous
cause.—(Great cheering.) It is just, because we
ask the repeal of laws which are selfish and partial, tl6
the operation of which are injurious to the whale. com-
munity.—( Cheers.) It is righteous, in iny opinion, be-
cause I defy the landowners of Great Britain
.to adduce
one single Christian maxim in favour of thetoextasdtadnugceCoornn:
laws.—( Cheers.) I equally defy them .
single religious precept in favour of the maintenance of
in the sight of a just God, who has
enactments which are oppressive to the. poor, and for the
tbneandeefitthoefmthbeotrhi,cha'rewthheir equals.—(Cheers.) Permit me,
Gentlemen, to carry. back your recollection to the great
Corn-law
months a dinner hich took place in the town just
twelve go;w I regret deeply that on that occasion I
was prevented by indisposition from being present, and I
regret equally that on the present occasion likewise,
by ;
similar fatality, my colleague, Mr. Greg, should have beet!
absent.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, the hundreds who at-
tended that dinner last year have become thousand,
this.—(Great cheering.) Now I would ask those gen
tlemen, many hundreds of whom I know I have tht
honour of addressing, who were then present, whethe
during the interval of one short aear, the Corn-laws hay.
not, in their opinion, by the distress in which they has.
placed the country, furnished stronger arguments again,
them ?—( Cheers.) I have no doubt that at that time loan:
gentlemen indulged in the hope, that although the harvest
of 1838 had been deficient, although they entertainee
serious apprehension for the future, that it would improve.
but those apprehensions had been realized in a far mote
fatal degree than anticipated.—(Cheers.) These ap
prehensions were fatally realized ; and if hopes had beei
entertained of the harvest of last year, how had they failed ?
But then you may say the harvest of 1840 may be better:
what indications have we at present that the harvest of
year upon which we have just entered may be better that
the last? I confess I see no such prospect. I cannot
hole from myself the fact of the quantity of wheat unsold,
hot still out of that there must be a great allowance i
c
wheat for seed to put in the ground ; and bearing t
mittd this, I cannot but think that
we must br
dependent upon existing supplies until late in th,
month of September, or, as the last year, till October-
( Cheers)—and should not the supply be equal to the de-
mand made upon it we must he a coaaiderable imports-
tion of foreign corn to carry us on till the next harvest
I am not one' of thoe %die desire, at tiny time to forrbod
c:ils, they conic quite fast enough of themselves, butch

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fear that this country will suffer great enbarratsment f. 0,;
the necessity of exporting gold again, for the purchrie of
foreign wheat, should our own harvest turnout to be insuf-
ficient.—(Cheers.) I feel that it is possible that
the coffers of the Bank of England may sign
be emptied.—(Loud cheering.) Now, having sheeted
to the Bank of England, permit me to say that al-
though I do consider there ought to be placed to the ac-
count of that establishment serious evils and misconduct
—(Cheers).---I believe that it is impossible that the Beek
of England, even if regulated by the utmost wisdom and
caution, forethought and prudence—if they possessed alt
these attributes, I believe it would be impossible for them
to prevent the recurrence of the evils which the counties
nas practically suffered in consequence of short harvests-,
e,nd the irregular supply of corn I. om continental nations.
iels, I wel offer no apology for travelling thus far out of
my wee-- I will offe. no apsiegy on this occasion for ai-
ding to the operations of the Bach of Env' lard Hear, bear.) 1 see
a great number of influential Members of
iernament row assembled before you, and I have no
doubt that they all agree with me in trio •
proeriety of astir
in the next Session [Saving a Select
—omeuttee appointed
for the purpose of investigating the cenduct of the Bank
of England, and cf inquiring- into its recent management.
and waat are our future prospect;; Cheers,) Sir, 1.
would have the Governor and the Directors of the Bank
of England called before that Committee. I would
give them every opportunity- of justifying their
proceedings—(hear)—but I would inquire from
them what extent of the -mischief and evil
they had suffered they would assign to the Corn-law ; and
I would inquire into their proceedings in connection with •
Joint stock Banking Companies Hear, hear.) I want
them to state precisely what is the:operation of the Corn-
laws upon their coffers ? I want them to state ta the
country whether we have any bstter security for the future,
or whether the past is to be merely a sample of that
future ? I want to know whether under existing.; laws we
can look for the removal of existing evils*?—( Hear, hear.)
Sir, you will observe that the Committee to which I hates
referred is a Committee of Inquiry, not to inquire merely
into the operation of the Corr,-laws—l want no by-play--
no cushioning of the question—no side-winded attempt to
evade doing justice to the country.—(Hear.) If, Sir,
there be Members of either branch of the Legislature who :
have not yet informed themselves *en the operation of the
Corn-laws—who are yet so ignorant that they have rot
traced the operation of those laws upon the industry med
the manufactures of the country, I would recommend them,
whether Peers or Commoners, to bock thereselva s ar Ens.
ton-square, in London, by the railwaystrai,vto Mthehester
—(Hear, hear, and laughter)—to consistence their investi-
gations here—to proceed to the surrounding districts, and '
to pass thence into Yorkshire and to Scotland—( Cheers. )
I would ask country gentlemen and intelligent farm, rs, es
well as Peers and Members of Parliament, to do the same,
and I feel perfectly convinced, Sr, that they will
if they are so minded, obtain a deal of practical informa-
tion, which will be worth the evidence of a thousand
Committees on the operation of the Corn-laws.,—( H.
hear. ) Now observe, Sir, I wish to make this no par!y
question—it is, as you have truly said, " a national goes
tion." Neither is it a question which ought to be es ait
with either as a commercial or manufacturing questiorn
alone. It is a question which affects, in my (spinier., t e
agriculturist with the operative ; and tvhen I
.1,1 at toe
effects of the present high prices of provisionn on, use
agricultural labourer, I think I shall meet with advocecy
also in that quarter; fur if, at the present rate of weeat,
you find that an agricultural labourer has to. pay for a
single bushel of flour for the weekly maintenance of him-
self and his family, as much as he himself can earn in ,
many counties in England—and, I regret to say, in many
counties more than be now earns-1 ask, is it possible the
agricultural labourer can have anything left for the nuttiest,
of dealing with us in our home trade ?—( Hear, hear,
hear.) Whence is he to derive his clothing and his
bedding ?—( Hear, hear.) The weaver is unfortunately
without work—he is anxious to supply the demand of his
agricultural brother, but that man's industry is paralyzed;
he is not in a condition to become the purchaser of the
product of the loom; and in the same way, we may depend
upon it, we shall go on miserably from bad to worse, unless
these lawe should be altered.—(Cheers.) A great deal
has been frequently said as to the value of our home trade.
Undoubtedly our home trade is our mast valuable trade,
so far as that trade goes; and why is it? Because we
are able to deal on short credit and ahno t at our own doors.
But our home trade a ill not support us. How are see to
keep in operation. the great mills—the great factories—the
vast array of mechanical invention which is now to be met
with throughout the whole of thee great manufacturing
districts ? We require a large export_ trade, and anything
that interferes with or paralyzes it, while at the same time
our home-trade is affected, brings us to the' verge of ruin.
Now, Sir, there has of late sprung up a sort of fashion in
favour of a fixed duty on corn. There are 'many who, a
few years ago, appeared to have paid end. attention to the
operation of our Corn-laws, but wbonow, after the efforts
rued& by those who suffer under them, come forward, claim' i
Your sympathy, arwi state they are the advocates of a fixed
-duty. Sir, I would have joined those individuals fifteen
years ago, and would then gladly have taken a dUty even
of lbs. a quarter, gradually reducing it, so that by this
time we should have been free of this nuisance, and been i
in a condition vastly different from the prcs,ent.—
(Loud cheers.) To talk of a fixed duty now is quite
a different thing. The quack doctor may, perhaps, t
but the skilful physician will not prescribe in the more
virulent stages of a disease the same mild remedies be
would have prescribed in the outset of the malady, and ,
that which the physician would do as regards our physical
condition, I say applies with equal force AO the position we
occupy in connection with the Corn-laws.—(Cheers. We
know we have lost a great portion otourcontinental trade ;
we are continuing to lose that- trade
fear almost hourly ; and, Sir, husk; the advocates of a
fixed duty whether they will be able to persuade the manu-
facturers en the Continent that the word," moderate," as
read in January will bear the ;same , interpretation as the
word " moderate" as read by them. I ask yeti, whether
you think in talking about a moderate fixed. duty you will
persuade the manufacturer of the Continents to 'wait till,
by actual experience, you show him what you. Mean ? The
manufacturers of the Continent have thrown a shield round
their manufactures; they have produced thoseeery 'Reticles
which formerly ae supplied them with entirely, t and rest
assured if the landowners do nut entertain apprchen-
sion as to the loss of our coetitiental trade, the manufacturers
of the Continent expect soon to wrest that trade from us ?
Shall there be then a half way house?—( ar, hear, end
laughter.) Will you attempt a feeble legislation, or will
you meet the difficulty at once ?—( Cheers. As regards
the landed interest, I say this, that I feel most pertectly
convinced that if they do not listen to reason on this sub-
ject,
their condition will be like our own before long,
namely, one of great difficulty, of extreme danger, and of
extreme perplexity. For I will ask what. are we to do
when the foreign manufacturcr,meets us on neutraliground, ,
and beats us from that ground_what is to become teen
of a starving manufacturing population ? Can you,
by possibility, throw the charge of the maintenance
of the starving population, on your mills, your factories and
machinery in this country? You can do no such thing,
for this most obvious reason—that, if you throw an increase
of taxation, and an increase of burthen on those manufac-
turers, you will add a bonus to the foreign manufacturer,
and will consequently lose your foreign market, while
they will undersell you. What, then, I ask, will become
of the landed interest? I say, the population must ulti-
mately fall on the land, and I would therefore most
seriously and most solemnly urge on the landed interest to
consider well the step they take in connection with this
question, for if they are not prepared to join us in doing
justice to the community their own ruin is inevitable in
connection with our own. (The Hon. Gentleman re-
sum( d his seas amidst loud cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN then called on these present to fill bum-
pers for the next toast which was " The Hon. C. P.
Villiers, the mover of the question for the consideration of
the Corn Laws in the last Session of Parliament, and
the other Members of the House of Commons who spoke
or voted in support of the same."--(Cheers.) He was
sure they would drink a bumper to the leader of their
cause in the House of Commons.
The toast was then drank with all the honours.
C. P. VILLIERS, Esq., M. P, then came forwasd to re-
turn thanks, and was received with the most rapturous
applause.—He said, Gentlemen, believe me, I deem it
a most high distinction to be made thus early in the
even ng, the subject of sour notice, and it is not with-
out the greatest embarrassment that I present myself to
this mighty meeting, to offer my ackowledgment for
this honour.—(Hear, hear.) I wish that my experience
equalled my zeal in the cause in which we
are met—l should then feel far more confideitt in the
position in which I am placed.-_( Hear, hear.)
But, Gentleman, if I may venture to• infer
from this honour that the humbly part which. I have
taken in the advocacy of the cause on which we aro met
fleets the countenance and approval of this vast assemblage,
it is, indeed, the best satisfaction that I have yet derived
from my humble efforts, and the best encouragement 1 can
receive for their renewal.—(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen,
renewed our efforts must be, however greatly to the honour
and the convenience of this country would it be if it we it'
otherwise, because though honestly hoping for the success
of our cause, I view with unqualified pleasure this vast as-
semblage as an event which must influence the
judgment of this country--( Hear, hear)—yet it is
not without feelings mingled with regret, that I see a
great measure of such unqualified justice can only be ob-
tained by dragging men from their homes, and by disturb-
ing them from their business, to join in this system of tur-
moil and agitation.—( Loud cries of " Hear, hear.") We
see many citizens drawn hither this day. Why is this
assemblage met? It is in the cause of complaint.—( Hear,
hear.) It in to assert their sense of wrong, and to express
their determined will to obtain redress—in truth, we aro
this day met in conflict with the Legislature—with that
Parliament which, I venture to say, has perverted its
powers has broken its trust —in maintaining the
interests of its majorities against those of the community
at large.—(Cheers.) It is then by sheer necessity that
peaceful men are forced into this kind of civil war, but we are
fortified by this reflection, that however great the evil
may be of this collision, it is less than the evil which we
seek to repeal.—(Cheers.) And, Gentlemen, it is
cheering to me to see something like the ancient spirit
that used to animate the mercantile classes of this coun-
try reviving whenever there was a question of public
wrong, and shaking off that apparent apathy, standing up
once more erect in the public cause, and fearlessly de-
nouncing that reckless injustice which now disturbs the
busin: as, and deteriorates the condition of the :people.
When I look around, and see the extent of Lists rettem-
blage—when I consider the number,represented, and when
I see the condition of those by whom it is composed, I re-
joice to think that posterity
K.. know that the comma,
vial classes did endure a degrading and injurious
•asv for tw, my-five years, yet that when experieeceJeft
no man in doubt of the mischief that was of necessity c.oo
.ieeted with that law, that they did rise up with ,beeorning
-pirit and tell their rulers to look to it, that their patience ;
Ne; exheusted—that evcry promise the-law bad bees
roken—that every expectation 'raised wits disappointed!'
.:nil that they crenild no lower Proinre, .
)
This, Gentlemen, is, in my judne.eut, tire position •

E 4 VEN I (17, FIATION