The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-21 00:00:00

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•
JANUARY 21, 18-16 PRICE SD.
- . 7

THE CORN-LAWS. might, however, at a moment like the present, specti-
MEETING AT THE CROWN AND ANCHOR. late on what werethe intentions of the Government, Sir
A very numerous meeting of the inhabitants of West-- Robert-Peel was still preserving deed silence—the Mi-
...
nisi : vial dinners awere still delayeda--perhaps -they were
minster was held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, for
the purpose of petitioning Parliament for the total -and
to .be put off altogether—if not, they would be ill at-
immediate repeal of the corn-laws. On the platform we tend. d for usual supports rs were neatly all put off
, his
Eat , M.P., the Hon. -'' f • -.-.
observed Howard Elpaiestone, their feet —(Laughter and cheers.) Considering the ex-
al B uverie Sir De Laey Evans, Milner Gibson, Esq ,
..er. 0 9 pression that lad bee.n givett te opneon threughout 'the
&c. &c. Mr. Elphinstorte was voted unanimously to the' country, he (Mr. Gibson) could no.t t p
hink it robable
chair, and was greeted with loud cheers,
this great public. ' '
that Sir Robert would propose anything short of repeal.
The CHAIRMAN said—Gentlemen,Pe svoual hive to satisfy the north of England, and'he
meeting has been called together for - the purpose of (Mr. Gibson) believed that the men of the north of Eng-
enabling
' h E e
the inhabitants of this great naetrepolitan land were determined to carry 'the question' by a
total abolition. They had not • taken it up as
borough to express their opinion of the impoliey and
injustice of those laws which now prevent the people of .4
man or
paety.; . they. cared' not for this
England from obtaining a sufficiency of food. With or that
.man being .in power; they made
regard to your representatives, it is my duty to read to it 110 party watchword. No ; they had en-
you letters that have been received from them. The
toted the struggle with an object before them, and they
first is from Mr. Leader. [Here the Chairman read ameant not to cease from their efforts till they carried the
letter from that gentleman, dated the 20th instant, at entire abolition of these laws.—(Great cheering.) If he
men of Westminster were Calais, acknowledging an invitation from the West- could read the future by the past., he believed that the
nd tdhenttertn determined minster Reform Club, to attend the meeting, but statingto. thatcartaok mea-
sure to a final issue ;
that it was oat of his power do so, at the same time ex- f 1 minster
West-
pressing his hostility to the corn-laws. The Chairman would be revived by their conduct in the
also read letters from the Hon. Captain Rolls, Lord strugetle.--(Hearty and long-continued cheering.) What
more proper than
Robert Grosvenor, Mr. Hawes, M.P., Sir W. Clay, and that one of the largest borouehs in
the kingdom should be forward in the fight ? And
Colonel P. Thompson; to a similar effect, and expressing when the wealth of the north was united to the working
their intention of voting for the object of the meeting in
and energetic stability of the metropolis, they might
their places in Parliament.] Gentlemen; I must say I confidentle expect to triumph. The Hon. Gentleman
think that when we look, at the present great meeting, and sat down amid great cheering. . ..
when we know that other equally large meetings have Sir DE LACY Everts, on coming forward to second the
been held in almost every borough in the kindgom, we resolution, was warmly greeted by the meeting. When
must' congratulate ourselves on the great progress that •
the cheering had ceased, he said, he trusted he need
has been made on this important question • and every not assure them of the sincere pleasure he felt on that
thinking man, unfettered by prejudices, and who has occasion among so many well known faces met together
paid attention to the events daily occurring, on one of the most important questions that had ever
must conclude that the corn-laws are destined interested the constituency of Westminster. He con-
to speedy annihilation.—(Cheers.) We have come to gratulated them on having the presence and the aid, that
the conclusion that every man has a right to purcnase
food in those markets which he may conceive the most evening, of a most energetic and able representative of a
expedient. I believe the people also understand the
most energetic constituency. After his statements, and
those made to the meeting by their worthy Chairman,
principle of free trade, and justly consider -that taxes he had but a few things more to add in illustration of
should be imposed fur her Majesty's revenue, and not to the motion which had been put into his hand. Mr.
fill the pockets of protectionists.—(Hear, hear.) It
must be equally clear that the revenue must suffer if Gibson bad stated, that scarcely a session had passed
' the principle of excluding articles produced in another but some immunity was conceded to the agriculturist..
country be- universally adopted. For instance, in the that reminded him of a fact in point. Some time ago
case of wheat. When there are 18,000,000 quarters many agricultural labourers were unemployed, and in a
produced at hOme, and but 2,000,000 imported, it state of destitution. In Parliament they had been urged
puts 5,000,0001. in the pockets of the landlords, averag-
quarter.—(Hear, i eying through famine. Only last session, accordingly,to relieve
.them, that teey might be prevented from
ing the duty, at 53.. per arter.—(Hear, hear.) It 8 d
an Act was passed for erecting asylums for the
from a knowledge of the injustice of these laws, that we
casual and the passing poor. - -But -it was well
complain of their exister.ce.—(Hear, hear.) I think that known that in .the metropolis they had abund-
the people Of England have a full right to ask, and not
anee of asylums supported by voluntary accept less than, the total repeal of these corn-laws, buttons, and, therefore, those to be erected were
contri-
which have pressed so heavily on the happiness and ia- clearly for the agricultural portion of the community.
dno doubt that there i ustry of the community.—(Loud cheers.) There H(1 eh, no doubt that the corn-laws produced the effects
crisis at hand, but I have too great confidence in the
l named in the resolution, for they had increased the price
good sense of the people of this country to be apprehen-
of provisons
reward of: while no addition had been made to the
industry. Their effect - was felt in an-
sive of the result; and Sir Robert Peel may rely on the
support of the liberal Members in the House, if any mea- other way. There were, he said, 100,000 absentee
sure he may propose on this subject be a good measure. families on the Continent, whose income might be
But I trust that there will be no-mutilation of the prin- averaged at 3001. a-year, making thirty millions an-
, ciple we advocate, and that WO obtain, shall not a half, nually. On account of high prices, thirty millions
but the whole, of what we require.—(Hear, and ch eers.) annually were spent out of the country, from which
neither their countrymen nor the revenue of the Govern-
With this opinion, I feel satisfied that we may look for- ment derived any advantage. For thirty years the ward with the utmost confidence that these laws will be laws had been in operation, but it was seen that they
corn-
shortly swept from the statute-book.—(Great cheering.)
had spoiled the tenant-farmer and the agricultural
I now appeal to the good
sense of the meeting, to give labourer. ,As for commerce_, and the effect they had on
I - gentleman who May hink fit to address you a full that, instances were
.brought. forward in both llouses
and patienty hearing; and' I rely on you to support me in but in both Houses the supporters of the monopo-
the place which you have done me the honour to assign lista could drown reason by their numerical votes,
me.—(Cheers.) • The Gallant Officer thea spoke of the calamity that had
Mr. M. Gessost said it was with much satisfaction that befallen the country through the failure of the potatoes.
he camp to their meeting that night.—(Hear.) He s
was He said, what might be the state of the portion of the
no stranger to them, but a resident in Westminster; and crop yet unexamined would not be known for four
an elector of their borough—(hear)----therefore he felt months to :come ; but, during that time, what was the
great pleasure in having the honour to propose a resolu- Government to do for the poor ? In othercountries the
lion' for their adoption, which he would read to them.
evil had been felt—in France and Belgium, and by their
[The resolution was to the effect that it was proved, by • neighbours—but there measures had been immediately
undoubted evidence, that several millions of the agricul- adopted, and their ports had been thrown open to foreign
aural population in Ireland, as well as in parts of Great corn with the very best effect to the inhabitants. The
Britain, were fed chiefly on potatoes; that it was obvious, Minister had been no doubt exerting himself and had
when a
lation, that an i thousand
nc p
reasersoe of employment wns were added daily
as demapn to their lau - thereby come into collision with his colleagues in the
and that the corn laws had failed to accomplish that -oh-
Cabinet. He had lost power, 'and had again come into
ject.]—(Hear, hear.). With respect to the first part of power. From Peel they had more reason to expect the
'
the resolution, they did not require the authority of Dr. measure they wished than from the Whigs, had they
Marsham for the fact, nor did it admit of argument or come into Office, for many of - them were but young in
discussion to demonstrate, that population was increasing the cause.. For fifteen years past he had been wont to
every day, for it was established by census that assist on various questions in that acorn •; on every one
the population did increase at the rate of a thousand of them they had won triumphs in the cause of freedom;
a day. Some timeback there was an eminent man, who and on this, with the• aid of Westminster, they might
f hcount on victory.
had devoted himself to these matters, who stated that ,
. didthe resolution was then read by the Chairman and
population not increase.—(A laugh.) •But now that
put to the meeting, when it was carried unanimously,
matter was set at rest. With respect to the second part with"one solitara eiceptiona
of the resolution, it was ascertained that a great portion
Dr. Bownixo then came forward to move the second,
of the people, in England as well as Ireland, were living
resolution and was received with great cheering. He'
on potatoes. lie did not - mean to assert that the torn-
said. he felt hiMself honoured in having a resolution corn-
laws were solely instrumental in producieg - these evils, Mated to his hands. He had often met them in that
and reducing the country to the melancholy condition in room, and .as often had their exertions influenced the
which
other cause is
s might found itnot have had They
siderable effectdid not sa thain t
Senate and modified their laws. They had met that night
a
'inducing these deplorable results ; but they did say that on a subject that had engaged all their minds. What
the corn-laws greatly aggravated those evils, and were they had demanded in rtftrenee to the corn-laws.when tie y were weak, they would de and when
of themselves calculated to create them.—(Hear, hear.)
they were strong. They would demand no less,
They said also that the corn-laws were a gross infringe-
they would demand no more. The total, the
ment on their civil rights. It must be obvious that immediate, the absolute abolition of these laws. As
the first 'of all right was, that a man should for the Prime. Minister, he said he recollected
be entitled to the rewards and profits of his when Sir Robert Peel was shaping his future course, he
own industry.—(Cheers.) They denied that any poi- spoke of posthumous fame. The speaker believed he
lion of their fellow-eountrymen had a right to dictate
valued it ; they knew, that even among the angels,
the conditions under which their industry should be " there was joy over one sinner - that repenteth."—
carried on.—(Hear, hear.) They denied their right to (Laughter.) lie hoped the Hon. Baronet would not
measure out the trade of their fellow-countrymen, or to sacrifice principles which he inwardly held, and fame
interfere With the efforts Of the loom more than those of which he valued, to present power and to place.
the plough.---(Hear, and' cheers.) He trusted the time The speaker then proceeded to - dilate with greatwas come when Englishmen • would throw off the
eloquence on the growth of the Anti-corn-Law move-
yoke of dukes and other noblemen. As he had men-
tioned noblemen, he thought it right to say there were ment, and on the present condition of the opposing
noblemen and 'other landed proprietors among the aria-
parties. " The people," said he, "were inclined to for-
tocrecy who were their firmest friends and most distin-
get and forgive the past, to forgive the wrongs and the
guished advocate!. And among them were many who
robberies that the monopolists had committed upon
had been distinguished for the improvement they had thens, and the latter had better take them in theirpresent mind. But the books were to be
opened,
made in agriculture.—(Hear, and cheers.) For instance,
•
there were Lord Spencer and Lord Leicester. These
closed, once for all. If these were
' '
two noblemen were the most strenuous advocates of the the other party would find that all stood against
cause of 'free trade.—(Hear, bear.) And it uas im-
themselves—everything in favour of the people. And
portant that many agriculturists had separated them-
the people in that case, instead of giving them a release,
selves froM their own class, and put themselves forward an honest discharge, would demand in addition to re-
us the advocates of their cease.—(Bear, hear.) It peal—which was always their right—the immense
showed that these men considered that their cause-tended amount of what they had been despoiled.
to the promotion of good agriculture. Who was it The eloquent gentleman then retired amid great cheer-
amonging, having Mat moved the following resolution ;---r" Re-
the aristocracy and landed proprietors that were
solved,—That the operation of the corn-laws is to raise
Opposed to their principles ? Why the most mortgaged
landowners in the country—(hear)—men who dreaded
the price to the consumers; preventing the exchange of
manufactures and other productions for corn ; throwing.
the least reduction in their rents, because there was but operatives and labourers out of employment ; diminish-
a small difference between ,their rental and the amount
ing the wages of the employed by overstocking the
of their mortgages.—(Hear, hear.) They were not told
labour market, and thus becoming the source of bitter
i
now, certainly, anything n Parliament about these
divisions -among classes—the cause of penury, fever,
mortgages. Sir Edward Knatchbull had ventured on
mortality, and crime among the people—and threaten-
that dangerous ground, and a friend of his had said that
• that gentleman's arguments were perilous, but his ex-
ing, if continued, to reduce the labouring classes of the
people to the Most abject state of misery."
plahations ruinous; and they might recollect that he had Sir CHARLES NAPIER rose amidst the most enthu-
They now heard nothing abou the peculiar taxes on the
a
entered on some of these explanations.--(Hear, hear.)
siastic cheering. He said that he felt quite astonished
at the manner in which that meeting had thought proper
land. And after hearing all that was advanced in the
t
Houses and elsewhere, he could never perceive those to receive him that evening. He believed it was the
burdens. It was a surprise that at some of those second occasion on which he had the honour to appear at
protection the Crown and Anchor; at a meeting of the inhabitants
dinners there was no mention of the peculiar o
exemptions of the agriculturist. There was nothing of Westminster. The first occasion was when he came
said, in 17, Old Bond-street, about these exemptions to support his friend Sir Dc Lacy Evans, when he stood
for Westminster, who had been the first to fire the
There was nothing said about the window-tax, and how
signal of repeal in the Tory camp. He was sorry to say
the windows of a•farna-house were free of that tax, while
that he (Sir De Lacy Evans) did not then occupy_ ha
those of a shop were obliged to bear it.—(Hear.) There that an
seat in the House of Commons, and he
.hoyet_m.(A
was no allusion to the fact that but few farmers paid the
opportunity would soon occur of returdneirnoanyi
income-tax. 'lt proved that a man in the country with more.")
votee, ct We don't mean to
worthyhave
al
3001 a-year was put in a very different position fromf theo
I
shopkeeper. The agriculturist was exempted alsomrenm
legacy and probate duty, but of this there was no lie did not think himselfl
meeting, as he hsdon y vteiriyo•uo. lately
. pettier, and had originally addre ; ss.ng that
become a total re
ht that a fixed duty was
" Old B d-street. While the property settee than total
abolition. .
' tion made in 1,, onThe letter of Lord John
of the working classes is subjected to this very heavy
Russell had, however, thrown . his notion of fixed duty to
tax, could they explain why the land of the Duke of
the winds, and he believed that nothing but total repeal
Richmond and the Duke of
would serve this country. They were all of one
free ? Would they ,but explain this ? More serious
opinion with regard to the Anti-Corn-law ,League,
and aggravated injuries the country had not received
and why should they not have the principles it
than those inflicted by the hands of the protectionists.
inculcated ? They should thank the protectionists
No doubt freedom from taxation was meant to benefit
for . the arguments they (the protectionists) furnished
only the landed. interest. It found its wape, -
against themselves ; for if they would read the speeches
into— the pockets of the landlords in the shape.
that were reported in
Let
with of rent. The farmer might be deluded
.w .
a good deal of absurdity.. .
there refer to the meet-
the faith that his rent was by so much reduced ; it ,
gig at Chichester, where it was said that it was singular
might seem so ;' but at some future day he was un- the people should complain and be discontented, as if
deceived by the demand made upon him by his Loral_ the potatoes were bad, a greater number had been sown
ship's agent. The corn-law was no advantage to the that year; and if the people wanted corn, there were two
farmer. He (Mr. Gibson) could testify this the moreis_ millions of quarters ready to come into the- country. I
confidently, having lately been in an agricultural d ; The Duke of Rutland had said that. he relished a potato
trict where he had abundant intercourse withfarmerss very much—(laughter —• so did he (Sir C. Napi*';•)
their farms
and he could state that .they were taking relish one; but the -
to be iin- rt- Duke of Rutland Would be er.4p'
under the impression that the corn-laws
instanceswere oled
where to indulge his relish when the poor people w0u1...t 'not be
mediately repealed. He knew numerous able to get a potato. After the Duke of Rut'.
the corn laws they had taken leases, discarding ettaid came
what formed the another Duke, who recommended to the prior people
altogether from ca
their calculations ; for
basis of their expectations andl the element of their cal- when they are going to bed to take r' • a an, eh of curry-
nd their own skill, and powder to keep their bellies warm. He,
culations was their own capital, Itad been a long
illation.—(Cheers.) He time at sea, but it had never struck,
not this abusive system of ley 'him, on stormy
the
agricultural interest, and farmer's Ills
nights, 'to use curry-powder to keeo 41;05 sailors from cold.
believed that the
ery much better if the corn- "is Friend the Hon. Member for.a
/anchester had spoken
condition would have been v
laws had never passe
d ; and hebelieved that they
them- of Sir Edward Knatchbull, w'satt ;tad said, that in the
f this, fur he had spoken to mtnv case of the abolition of the eorn-laws, what was to be-
tenant-farmers,selves were convinced o
had
expressed themselves as thou' li
2. come of their widows' Pardons? Ile (Sir C. Napier)
Who.natvariance with their efs would venture to 'say, that. if the coru-laws
they had had a conviction
They went to their protection
meetings, butwhatVi ‘•
..,. were were repealed, tale friends 'of he League would
be ready to
these ? Private meetings, into which no one was ad- ar'oseribe to portion their widows
and children. •
"Hear.) Another gentlemen said that it
milted but whose opinions exactly talk it- with the i was folly ee S—
tem • and, all alone, the reporter fox the Morning Post. sys ,a kof the abolition of the corn-laws, as-
' the ' '''
ea
be unable to maintain their'
tour'
gentlemen would
1 The farmer attended as a matter —(Great laughter.,.
snow ...•-
of course. He was told Lord this and Duke the would
wile._
4' to the country. What was their station, and
be there, that there would be a very fine meeting and a I,__, r re their conditions? They kept castles—they
good dinner, or a good bottle of 'port at the collation, e p were theii- conditions? Ticy kept castles—they
good dinner, or a good bottle of port at the collation, I'_O'oot huomters—tlie went to Nswmarltet, and they lost
and he went, although the object of the meeting.did not, 1 ,nottaa 9 P
4. - t rids .f
pounds —all of which they would be obliged
have his support, and although he might te:l them tt,,e'.,, i givetoheup it' the corn-la vs were abolished. He .was in
the corn laws had not done him one farthing.oa a A ottnt the other day at a gentleman's seat, and it
- ''')"' t
tookhim rnYearly a whole day to ride over the grounds.
The Morning Post had said that the question aae:y were
met upon was not of money, but of supit,ins:zy. He (Mr. It was the gentleman's property, 'and a man might do as
Gibson) said the same ; it was a safer he liked with his own, but he should not let the people
te against feudal . e, e of this country go short of food
in order to keep up high
oppression, a struggle between ',.ne Waddle and the upper to
classes, and the repeal' of tla r classes w, re only lately begineieg
1 rents, The lowe
n law- w•ld be but a . e. col' ^ . 01 had begun
find their strength. The country labourers
step towards the destrra
etion of whatever existed of found that a duty on
to hold meetings, and they had
Legislative abuse.:-4
TA.lnittense cheering.) They had .and the
no need to inquire, bread did not assist to make than comfortable,_.ah
would
anxiously what any man might -pro- 1
i Loetneeting at Goatacre was an exam le fill T, i
Robert .r, el .pose. The Ati'i-Corn-law League had. always leaned
be followed throw bout the land. ,
Ihf Sirwould be in the
on its own f'... leadalways trusted to its, own coon- • :tends. did. ot abolish the duties on corn, c
II (Sir C.
" lahe,t"". . always.,,ffeied its own terms. -It had not de-'
friend protectionist. e
situation of his late
the
ehad taken acertainapiece
y.,---„_.'" the cause to see' what this party-leader or • that
Napier) was a farmer himself.
it 40 acres. That wm forest
rr-"cy-leader, ineane to propose. It had gone straight .
of land in the country-09
ern on towards the aim which ,it lad itself set up. They .