The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-17 00:00:00

- - .
nays, was not in a state of safety. The Right Hon. ! productions of this district, titan any other merchant, or pro- please.) .I believe that by voluntary arrangements we might
•-' • ' -fi -ay r s-ted on whet the Commissioners had baggy any other half-dozen merchants, in England.—(Ap- all be doing as well upon ten horns a day a, we are now doing 'I
Next to the reverence we have for aristocratic upon twelve.; lor lam fiemiv convince:l that if the people of
said, but there were only three navaroffieers among them. ' plause.)
!o: igin, is probably the homage which in 'England we, wi.cly tl,!s c;:antry hld the full benefit of their natural advan-
He would like to know what confidence was to be placed ,or unwisely, pay to wealth. On the score of wealth, Mr. -.:;e5 theywonlcl be aisle to d) as much. Amy; more, in
in a Commission which Came to 'a decision on one (lay Brown-must be acceptable to.the most money-loving among ; ..- , furs 114 any people on the continent a Europe can do
and reversed it the next? That was something like a us. If great etches give a guarantee, in the. estimation of in twelve.—(l..c.tal applause.) . Gentlemen, Ido hope that on
what had occurred on Lord Ashley's motion=-(Laughter.) timid seen, that the possessor of those riches is not likely to this occasion we. who have the franchise v:Il eude.c,,-onr to
What did, that Commission do? They gave 10s. a-day be• a destructive in politics, why
,:theti Mr. Brown has given use it f.n- . the benefit of a elass—not it the benefit of the
to lieutenants in the navy. And why did they do so: y.ou that guarantee, and will coMmend himself to the m.,,i .ielie, eass—but for the benefit of those who are, inu
Simply because they discovered that those lieutl!nants tunid amongst us. I knew of no objection that has bte n disfs'y depenaent upon
,us. The employers 4 labour in
alleged to Mr. Brown as a candidate for our sutlrages, unless this country are cuargca in the London priors—and the
would not serve unless they did something of the sort.
it be one which has originated in idle gossip, in the absence charge is widely disseminated through the country—with not
It was a kind of " thank 'ye for nothing" affair.—
of anything really tangible to oppose it. It hai been alleged having give due consideration to the interests of those em-
(Laughtee.) Aed what did they do with respect to
that Mr. Brown is not a British-born subject. lam happy to ployed by them. Ido not stand here either to make the
commanders? Why they gave them 6d. a-day.— tell you, from the highest authority, that Mr. Brown was charge or to vindicate time employers; but with these facts
(Laughter.) What did Admiral Wyse say with respect born in the county of Kilkenny, in Ireland—(Applause)— before us, and with this admission from the highest autho-
to this? Why he said they ought to be ashamed of that his family were extensively connected with the linen rity patent to all the world, I say the employers who lend
such a thing, and he %Quid be sorry to see such a Corn- trade there; that Mr. Brown came to England, and was themselves to a system which grinds the people down to the
mission again appointed. The Right Hon. Baronet said educated ; that he left England in 1800, and went to America ; dust, and compels them to labour for others without any re-
that the expense of carrying out the proposition which that he returned from America inlBoB,since which time lie has turn for their toil, will be justly amenable to this charge.—
he (Sir C. Napier) had submitted would be 25,0001. been a resident in Liverpool.--(Applause.) And as the owner (Applause.) I hope that on this occasion we shall not merely
a-year; but this was a mistake, for it might easily be of large estates in this country, he has given that proof of his manifest a desire to benefit those around us, bat to promote
done for 15,0001.; and the Right Hon. Baronet said that
naturalization which will both be a satisfaction to our oppo- the best interests of the country at large. It is net merely
. nents, on the score of his citizenship, and will also recom- your operatives here who will be benefited by free trade—
if this retiring pension were allowed, the first-class
him as being an extensive landowner.—(Applause.) you form but a comparatively small section of the commu-
officers would not accept of it. He (Sir C. Napier) did and has been, also, I believe, (I don't know whether there na i y—but f you go to the agricultural districts, where, if
not expect they would, but those of a lower class would, has or not), some other allusion made to Mr. Brown—but they do not work so hard as you do here, their work is as
and their places would have to be filled up by junior we really don't talk about religious subjeCts here—but Mr. disagreeable and as painful, and not so well- requited; and if
officers. It was all nonsense to suppose that men who Brown, I may tell you in brief, is a Churchman; and if he free trade in sugar, coffee, and cocoa will bring plenty to the
were between sixty and seventy years of age had been anything else he would have been equally unex- houses of the workpeoPle in Lancashire, it will also carry
were competent to take the command of a ceptionable in this Free Trade Hall, for wedo not meet here comfort into the thatched cottages of Dorsetahire and
fleet, or even a large vessel of war. He to entertain theological questions.—(Applause.) This is the Devonshire—(Applause)—and give to the peasants a cone.
(Sir Charles Napier) was not very old, but he fre., description of a candidate which is presented to you, the elec- fintable meal of wholesome bread, who are now often stare;
tors of the southern division of -Lancashire. •If any of you in g upon meal and potatoes—(Loud applause.) Ge.ttlemen
quently felt that he was not so strong as when only
know the weight of a bale of. cotton, you are only one remove these arc the objects we have in view in supporting the free
twenty-five years of age.—(Laughter.) The Noble from a near acquaintance with Mr. Brown, who has in his trade candidate upon this occasion. Olie word upon the sub-
Lord the Member for Staffordshire (Lord Ingestre) had hands one-sixth part of the: trade between this country and ject of the duty which devolved upon us during tee next flirt-
said that he (Sir C. Napier) had accused him of being the United States.—(Loud applause.) - There is hardly a night.—(Hear, hear.) Vain is all the talking we have had
tongue-tied, but he had done no such thing. All he breeze can blow, or a tide can roll into the Mersey, that does in this Free-trade all—vain is all our lecturing—vain the
had said was that the Noble Lord had received a repri- not bring a ship freighted with cotton, or some other costly million of tracts we have been distributing, unless we now
mand from the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of her commodity destined to fill the warehouses of Mr. Brown ; buckle on our armour, and work, work, and work until the
Majesty's Government, and all lie could say now was and there is scarcely a railway or a canal in the kingdom day of election.—(Loud cheers ) The basis of all chance of
that had such a reprimand been given to him he would I that does not bear some of his produce on its way to be success at a contest: is a due attention to the registration lists.
not have taken it so easily as the Noble Lord had done. j shipped to China, or some other part of the world.—(Loud The registration lists of this county have been diligently at-
applause.) Now, Gentlemen, short of being himself one of tended to during the last three years, to my knowledge; and
The Noble Lord said that he did not intend to support
, the landed proprietors of Lancashire, Mr. Brown is more there is upon the cards the fairest prospect of success, if the
this motion, and yet he supported a similar motion lastl deeply interested in the land of Lancashire than any other friends of free trade only exert themselves .during the next
year. Did the Noble Lord think that what was good man can be. He is not one of the aristocratic families of the fortnight.—(Applause.) It is true we have in this, as in every
last year was bad this? No doubt he did, for such county ; but a gentleman having the important concerns in county, a large number—three or four thousand—tenants-
changes often happened in that House.—(Hear, hear, Liverpool to which I have alluded, and being, as he is, at-will, occupying W. tenanteies, but for whom we should
and a laugh.) It appeared that as this motion had so intimately bound up with every transaction in which you have a large majority of the real bona fide freeholders of the
been opposed by the Right Hon. Baronet, -it would are engaged in Lancashire—l say that, second only to the county. Of that we are quite sure, ,without going to a poll.
therefore receive the opposition of every Member on the ownership of an enormous estate in this county, Mr. Brown But as many of these 50/. tenants are not allowed to choose
Ministerial side of the House. One said to the other, may be considered most securely anchored amongst you, and for themselves, it devolves on the freeholders in the towns
" You support it, and I will stick to you like wax."— he has given the greatest possible pledges, by interest and and the country districts to counterbalance the undue infiu-
(Laughter.) He trusted, however, that the motion identity, that he is bound to regard and foster the welfare of ence of the landlords by increased efforts amongst those who
this county.—(Applause.) .Mr. Brown does not appear before are independent and can vote as they please.—(Applause.)
would ultimately find favour, and he was sure that good
this county as a party -politician. He has not been known If due diligence be used, I have no doubt this battle will be
would result from his having brought it forward. either in Liverpool or elsewhere as a party politician. If lie won.—(Great applause.) It depends on the labours of the
After a few words from Sir R. PEEL, in explanation, has mixed with parties at all, it has beat to moderate the free traders and leaguers of Lancashire, upon their individual
the House divided—
are to triumph at the coming poll.—(Hear, hear.) It is party reeling; and, I will venture to say now, in his name, and personal exertions in their several districts, whether we
For the motion
im-
Against it
Majority against the motion .-43 strict principle, and that there is nothing which he would de- say, as some of our enemies, and our false friends, too, have
The West India Relief Bill was read a second time, plore more than if his friends should narrow the ground on said, that if we lose the League may shut up shop. No, the
ordered to be committed. which he seeks your support.—(Applause.) Mr. Brown, League will never shut up shop till the corn-laws are
And
The House then. adjourned, at Ten o'Clock. much to his honour, has taken a prominent part in Liverpool abolished.—(Great cheering, which lasted several minutes.)
in aiding the labours of the Anti-Monopoly Society there.— But this Ido know, if we carry this election for South Lan-
(Applause.) His adhesion to that Society was an event about cashire, it will be taken as a sign of the times to those who
as important to that movement in Liverpool, as the ad- live in high qiiarters, and it will save us a great deal oflabour
'lesion of Mr. Samuel Jones Loyd was to the proceedings and expense in carrying our question hereafter. But do not let
of the League in London.—(Applause.) And this step was them deceive themselves by supposing that if they over-
taken, pot in anticipation of any such honour as you are now
whelm us now with their 50/. tenants-at-will we are going to
strivinglto place in his hands; but it was done from a con-
give up this contest.—(Applause.) No ; I have no hesita-
viction of the baneful tendency of monopolies in general, and
only be the signal for a larger gathering in this Free-trade
tion in telling them that if they were to beat us now it would
from a desire to aid his utmost, by the influence of his great
example in Liverpool, in putting an end to a system so de- Hall than was ever held before, to devise the means of be t-
to commerce. And, I may tell you that Mr. Brown ingehem at another contest.—(Loud cheers.) But when we
is not an anti-monopolist Of yesterday; for there is one fact talk of beating them we seek no triumph over any one; we
to be stated so highly to the honour of Mr. Brown, and so seek to benefit every one. We seek not to injure or triumph
strongly proving his disinterestedness, and his willingness to over those manufacturers or; millowners who are canvassing
assail monopolies, even when lie himself was supposed to be for another party ; our triumph is one of principle, a prin.
interested in them, that I cannot help mentioning them. ciple in which our opponents, whom we believe to be inis -
During . the time of the monopoly of' the China market by taken, are. as much interested as any one in this hall.—(Ap-
the East India Company, Mr. Brown was One of those in Planse.) A large number of our neighbours are bringing
England who had the monopoly of the private trade with -themselves to this conviction ; ant on that belief alone I en-
China, which was carried on through American houses. No tertain string hopes that this contest may be won by a large
-English private trader could trade with those countries; but majority.--,(Applause.) After the last four or five years of
the Americans took up the trade in an indirect way, and ntmse sutitriug and disaster, I cannot believe that the
Mr. Brown was the agent of that commerce, and it was a men of Balton; Stockport, Rochdale, and Bury, who have
very important branch of his business. -When the proposal found their property wasting away on their hands, their
was made to abolish the monopoly of the East India Com- houses empty, and not even paying chief rent, will have
pany in the China trade, Mr. Brown went to London, and Passed through this season of tuition without its leaving
gave evidence, before a Committee, in favour of an open the fruits of conviction behind it. I believe there is a vast
trade with Chime though it was depriving himself of the amount of conviction on the side of free trade amongst
monopoly which
,e had before enjoyed.—(Loud applause.) those who have opposed us formerly on the mere ground of
This then, Gentlemen, is the candidate have before you; Whig and Tory, and that there is a still larger amount on
you -

SOUTH LANCASHIRE ELECTION.
MANCHESTER, TUESDAY SlGHT.—During the day both
parties have been hard at work canvassing, and on the part
of the free traders, every hour brings with it news of men
who have consented to separate themselves from party, and
to look at the contest only as one affecting the interests of
trade. As regards the " ways and means," the free traders
have evinced a spirit to-day, that shows them sanguine of
the result, for the guarantee fund has already reached 13,0001.,
and that for the Manchester district of the county alone!
Since we wrote yesterday, giving an account of Mr. Entwistle 's
visit to his Committee here and at Newton, we have learned
that he went forward yesterday afternoon to Liverpool. and
met his Committee there. It was the intention of his friends
to introduce him on 'Change, at Liverpool ; but the Com-
mittee reported an adverse wind in that quarter, and he re-
turned to Manchester without suffering the honour. To-day
his friends have also forborne to introduce him on 'Change
here, and there is a whisper that it is still the intention ofhis
party to wi.hdraw him from the contest, if they can substi-
tute a fitter man.
At seven o'clock this evening there was a splendid meeting
of the friends of Mr. Brown, the free-trade candidate, at the
Free-trade Hall, of which we subjoin a report.

MEETING IN THE FREE-TRADE HALL.
MANCIIEhTER, TUESD tr NIGHT.—This evening, at sevens
o'clock, a great meeting was assembled at the Free-trade'.
Hall of the electors resident in the Manchester district of
South Lancashire, to receive a deputation from the League.
Amongst the gentlemen present, in addition to the deputa-
tion from the League, consisting of Richard Cobden, Esq.,
Mr. Alderman Brooks, and others, we observed Mr. Alderman
Kershaw, Mr. Rawson, Mr. Woodward, Mr. Harvey (of the
firm of Harvey and Tysse), Mr. Atkinson (of the firm of At-
kinson and Saunders), Mr. Alderman Hopkins, Mr. Aldernian
Walker, and manyof the leading freeholders.
The chair was taken by Mr. GEORGE Wirsoar, who, in
opening the proceedings, said—Gentlemen, we have con-
vened this meeting of the electors residing in and near
Manchester, irrespective of all political party feeling, in order
that you may have an opportunity of meeting a deputation
from the League, and hear stated those reasons which they
think ought to influence you materially in giving your vote
for the free-trade candidate in the contest for this county.
We have called this meeting of electors of all parties. The
Free-trade Hall is neutral ground.—(Cheers.) It was not
built; it was not erected, for party purposes. We meet here
to discuss the evils of the giant monopolies under which this
country suffers.—(Loud cheers.) We ask you to pause well
before you give a vote in favour of the perpetuation or con-
tinuance, for one hour, of these monopolies.—(Applause.) I
have a number of letters from gentlemen compelled to be ab-
sent unwillingly, because engaged in canvassing.—(Cheers.)
But I will not occupy your time by reading them ; I will at
once proceed to business by introducing Mr. Cobden, who will
address you on behalf of the League.—(Cheers.)
Mr. COBDEN, M.P., was received with most enthusiastic
and prolonged cheering. He spoke as follows :—Me. Chair-
man and Gentlemen,--1f you were met here for party objects
I should not be amongst you. I have never, since I
have appeared in public, taken any part in mere party
squabbles; and, so far as I may be considered to speak the
sentiments of the Anti-Corn-law League, I challenge all who
have had the opportunity of observing my public conduct,
to point to a single instance in which my proceedings have
been influenced by any regard to any political party, or any
individuals connected with party.—(Applause) We have
met here, as the chairman very properly says, irrespective of
parties. I cannot point to anyexistingpolitical party which
takes its stand upon the ground. that the'free traders and the
Anti-Corn-law League now occupy. We have two sections
of politicians ; one disposed to profess free trade in the ab-
stract, and to carry out free trade little by ; wehave
another party takingits stand upon fixed duties and protec-
tion; but there is no political party that seeks at once to ob-
tain the object we have in view—that of practical and per-
fect free trade.—(Hear, hear.) This is a question that is re-
ferred back to the electors of this county; and t 6 no portion
of the electoral body can it come with so strong a claim to
their -attention as to the electors of South Lancashire.—
(Applause.) Gentlemen, we are not solely a manufacturing
community in South Lancashire; there -is a large rural he-
trict. in this county. Wehatse farmers as well as manufac-
, turers. I have made good the ground of free trade on fanning
ground maven as manufacturing: ground;- and if there he oh'
stronger ground than another, it is that upon taisich. Lora
Ducie and Lord. Spencer have taken alio tae aatestion—that
is, as to the benefit which free trade will confer upon agri-
culture itself.—(l-fear, heer.) But, Unfortunately, the menu-
factarers of this country,,whilst they generally admit that
free tiade would be good' for themselves, have hitherto tot
come to consider this question of free trade apart and alto-.
gether away from a political partizanship. If we could only
lay aside our old animosities and predilections—if we could
only come to a cortmon ground, aria consider this question
of the corn- laws apart from all views of Whig and Tory, I
verily believe there would not be two opinions amongst the.
manufacturing classes in South Lancashire.—(Loud ap-
plause ) Now, Gentlemen, I an glad to say, that on this
occasion tie have evidences of our coming soon, if we have
not already arrived at, that happy point, when we shall be
no longer blinded to our true interests, nor the interests of
the country, by such absurd delusions as these mere Whig
and Tory distinctions in politics. I am happy to announce to
you that we hear from all quarters—not merely in Man-
chester, not merely in Liverpool—but in all the surrounding
districts, we hear of numerous instances of most intelligent
and influential men who have on this occasion declared that
they will no longer vote as Tories or as Whigs; that the
question before the country is free trade or monopoly, and
that they. will vote for free trade.—(Loud applause.) It
would be invidious to name these gentlemen, and besides
that it would be very partial and unjust; for I really believe
we are only beginning our conversion, and that before the
contest is over we shall see such a change manifested in
South Lancashire among the manufacturing classes, as even
the most sanguine of us has not expected. This is the last
contest for South Lancashire in which any party will come
before the electors of this important district, and profess to
be an upholder of monopoly in any shape.—(Applause )
And, Gentlemen, if anything could prove this, it is the
terms in which Mr. Eutwistle has put forward his address
to the electors of this county.—(Hear, hear.) That address
is, at all events, a tribute paid to the triumph of free trade
opinions in this country; for although it does not agree in
professing to carry out the principles of free trade, it is full
of compliments to those principles so far as they have been
applied; it speaks of the paramount importance of ma-
nufactures and commerce; and it proposes, very intelligibly,
to go on carrying out free trade as fast as somebody else, who
shall be nameless, perhaps in London, will give the, cue for
doing so:—(Loud applause and laughter.) ,-Now, I think we
in Lancashire are too old
:birds -to be caught- with chaff like
this on the present occasion.—(Laughter.) We must not be
deluded or mystified with plausibilities. We want free trade
—not in the abstract; we don't want it ten or twenty years
hence, we want it now; and if we can get it we will have
it now.—( Loud applause.) But I am told that somiaof Mr.
Entwistle's canvasser are canvassing for him as a free trader.
Now, I don't set myself up here as a casuist to settle matters
of conscience; but surely, if gentlemen go and obtain pro-
mises on false pretences, they don't expect those promises
to be binding.—(Applause.) I should be sorry to lead the
electors into any mistakes, but I warn you, and, through the
press, I beg to warn the constituency of this county that Mr.
Entwistle is not a free trader, though his address tries, all
that Words can do, to make it appear that lie issa4Cheera)
Now, 'Gentlemen, we hive another candidate in the 'peison
of Wni. Brown; Esq., of Liverpool.—(LottelaPalatiee.) -11 r.
Brown, as a corinitercial man, I should say, is- of all others in
the kingdom the man that would be.properly.selected•far the
high honour of representing : this. countyin Parliainent.—
asapplause.) I say as a commercial man, because I. won't
disguise from you, and Mr. Brown would not thank me if I
click for he would not disguise it from }}'on himself, that if we
couldman tiflitoonibtkuitysieelailrac3y:::sftit,eto:irta nt. -,tsl
et
righttlie toinnaeno f6tililinti at "ergtoinf
eafilt_i teiue
Lancashire,` have
aTe
onat connectedtrown .ta i
wouldri ;le
.tbo e
ttt r ftal tea
firsti
inly
e him
most t preferencegtest tom e,
amountandf you trill
(Applause.) And I may tell you, 'what I am sure BroWn
himself will very readily tell you, that we did apply, d a
gentleman in Loudon—Mr. Pascoe Grenfell, the'brthe tri-4a
law of Earl Sefton—and had he not been at the time we
-
called upon him under the hands of his medical attendant,
and confined to his house by a very painful disease, he would
have been inspirited to enter the breach on this occasion ; for
a more ardent repealer, and one more thoroughly devoted to
the principles of the League, I never found in all my travels in
England.—(Applause.) Under those circumstances we chose
—I speak of the electors who took a part in it, for I was not
in Lancashire at the time—the electors chose the first . com-
mercial num in Lancashire.—(Applause.) He is a man wao,
if you want to test what he is,
,iliciilalna yitysoldver
taitok.thedetoriu.heititlio
onf
which Napoleon used to put when
man""ir lotaft
vast
saunpie7;..rist
;grNeaati.)oniteaotin, aalTlistitysigupuitshtehdemq
uanes,
toirona, has
he done. i" .) Now, Mr. Wncliabßlrisohinen
wnhta:t that
ever
exited one of the most gigintit%Tirtmerc.; a.I e
exiged in this or any other eattiltat4lle")7,alll4 "
the various ramifications of his bustnea prObalcontribitted
- - —„,,,,gree. to the lam liege of the

he is a free-trader in corn ; but as a proof that he does not
consider a free trade in corn would be injurious to land, he
has invested largely in the land of this country ; and I know
that, 'at this moment, he is prepared as willingly to invest
money in-land with a prospect of the repeal of the cora-laws
to-morrow, as he would be if the corn-laws wore likely to be
perpetual.—(Applause.) And let me remind you that Mr.
Brown's possessions in land may be quite as extensive as
those of many of the landowners who make so great a talk
upon this monopoly in corn, and who in appearance may have
a much wider expanse ofsurface in theirpossession ; for, when
a merchant invests his accumulated gains in land, the land is
his ; but those men who are making the greatest outcry for this
monopoly in corn, and who are the most prominent in opposing
the League, are merely the nominal possessors of those broad
acres.—(Great cheering.) Gentlemen, I have stated who Mr.
Brown is, and what he is; and now what is his opponent ;
I'll not deal in personalities by alluding to Mr. Entwistle,
in any other way than as regards his public career; but
putting the test which Napoleon put, when a man was spoken
of, I ask you, what has Mr. Entwistle done in public or in
private to entitle him to the honour of representing you in
Parliament ?—(Hear.) We are not opposed on this occasion
to one who, owing to high aristocratic connections or exalted
descent, is considered in this lord-loving country of ours as
entitled to a sort of presumptive right to represent a county.
—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) That claim, at all events,
does not stand before us. We know Mr. Entwistle as a private
gentleman, of respectable character, and we know him as
nothing else.—( Applause.) I have not had the opportunity
myself of listening to his speeches or hearing his views; but
there is a part of what he stated the other day to his Com-
inittee, with regard to the operation of the corn-laws, which
certainly does go far to convince one that Mr. Entwistle can
not have given the slightest attention to the subject of the
corn-laws. Gentlemen, we don't hear such fallacies as those
of Mr. EntwiStle even in the House of Commons now ; they
are ashamed of them there.—(Applause.) I can assure you
that if Mr. Entwistle comes to the House of Commons, he
will have to /earn his lesson before he speaks there, or lie
will be laughed at as soon as he opens his mouth.—(Ap-
plause.) I, suppose, brother electors, we shall have an oppor-
tunity of hearing Mr. Entwistle's views on this subject ; . bat
as . he has decidedly declared hiinself_ for a sliding-scale
as against a fixed duty, I must confess I have been astonished
to see the name of one gentleman prominently connected
with his supporters—l mean the name Of. Mr. Hugh Birley
for I very well remember four or five years ago, when we
were met at-the Town-Ball for a total repeal of the corn-
laWs, that gentleman met us with an amendment, declaring
that nothing'. but a moderate fixed duty would restore the
commerce of this country; bat that, as the Whigs were then
in power, in whom he had no confidence, he was determined
not to petition Parliament for a fixed duty. And now it
Seems, if one may. believe the newspapers,
.thet Mr. Hugh
Bides- has been one of the principal men iu bringing- fe1....
ward Mr. Entwisfle to stand on the principle of the
!i,iing -seales--(II:..e hear.) Noir-, really, I don't understand
rliiis loud of iacou.-: fley. It is perfectly iiscomprehen--
-1)1e in -this Trall.—(Applause and' laughter.)
There is one cpsesi• ; ' I- would snore especially like
to• call their atte;Lieo, sist that is . the great eacitement
Which has beSM created against the long hours of work in
this district. -I have watched very attentively the pro-
ceedinge in Parliament upon Lord Ashley's motion on the
Shiart-time Bill ; .and I have heard it admitted by the
leading men on both sides of the Reuse, that the
corn-laws and the the other monopolies were the cause of
the long Incurs of work in this district.—(Loud 'applause.)
was walking down Parliament-street one day, ju=t when
hard Ashley had bretight forward his first motion, and I ws 4
11• nil situ; the-suleject of the Ten Hours' Bill to a gentle-
man who was with me, a shrewd man. and one of few words,
- and he shook his head and sail, "it will be quite imposoible
fir the ,vorking classes to support the aristocracy Frith ten
hours' work a day."—(Loud cheers.) But. I did not expect to
hear such specific admissions from the leading men on both
sides of :the Mouse as I did hear upon this subject: After
Lord Ashlev had carried his first motion by a majerit
James Grahamwas speaking against it with a -view t,,
reverse that decision; lie tried every kind of argument,
at last, at the conclusion of his speech, he turned round very
significantly indeed, with a look which he can so well put on,
to the squires behind him, and he said, " Let Honourable
Gentlemen beware what they do ; this restrictive system of
ours is an artificial system—(llear, hear)—it is like a house
of cards—if you touch one, the rest will fall."—(Cheers
and laughter.') I was sitting behind a rabid protectionist,
a Member for a rural dhitrict, and tapping him on the
shoulder, said " Do von understand that?" " Yes; I do,"—
(Applause and laughter.) Translated into plain common
•sense and plain English, what did Sir J. Graharn's_admis-
sion amount to ? This—if you pass a Ten Hours' Bill, the
corn-lswe, and the sugar-laws, and the coffee-laws cannot
be maintained. But why ? He did not see, whilst he was
making this appeal to the 'squires behind him, or he seemed
to forget that there was a Leaguer present, and that we should
interpretate his argument, and carry it out in the Free-trade
Hall. For it amounted to an admission- by the Home e;e-
cretary that the working classes were working two hours a-
day to . maintain the monopolists.—( Loud applause. And
when Lord Jam Russell and. 'Lord HOwick reSe. on. 'the
other side of the House, they declared that a Ten' Hours'
Bill could be passed With' perfect safety, provided the corn-
laws, and the sugar, and coffee, and other nionopolies were
removed. (Now this is very important in more .senses than
one ; it shows us that we are the real ten hours' people after
all ; and certainly the attempt to make it appear that the
Leaguers are long hour men, .will be the most impudent
and audacious argument that ever was used- after this ad-
mission.—(Hear.) But does not that admission by. Sir
James Graham and hiS leading oppotkeiit's involve a sacred
duty on the part. of the employers .dithls'distriet, to unite
together to remove that Unjust -law Which compels the
people in their employ to Work two hour% ai day to maintain
the monopolists? I would appeal to efifployerwof every party
in this country, ankiisk theme in .the ifiestplace, from a
sense of justice to those .theyeinipldea.(for.l would hot put it
upon any lower 'moat), ethealsetleeee to a sys-
tern IN Ili di is crus Wow t4o,:44Prii Y?:I4IVI,4YIN 4114, tho
children, who are jiving hound them ~a orb deksigre4 on
-them ;, or will they now. take ikane.,,eof,t4l4oa4unity,
when they, as the constituency .or ',have
votes in their- hands,' and the working, C.' taSVS fiew votes
at all,-.to put down by a. right use of those a system
which thus oppresses those who are dependent upon them?
—(Loud applause.) If I wanted to appeal to a lower motive
than a.mere sense of justice, I would ask them to look at the
tiine,.which has been manifested not only in thd House o
Commons, but in the public prints, upon the subject of, the
long 11QUN of labour in this country. It is quite evident—it
is no use denying it, that there a demand, by public .opi-
Ilion, in favour .of less intense labour on the , pelt of the
people of thii country.—(H-ear, hear) Ijoihin that appeal.
—(Applause.) I Will not soy a word about legislating on
this matter—that is not our business; but if I see that there
are laws and monopolies, which, by the admiSsion both
of 'the Ministers of the. -day, and - of. their :pre-
decessors, which compel 'the working classes to -svprk two
hours a day for the support of these monopolies—l say, as an
employer, should not he doing, my duty., when a vote is
thrown into. my hands as it is now, unless I voted for the re-
moval of those burdens which thins grind down and overwork
the people.—(Loud applause.) And let not the employers of
tide district suppose, whatever was the decision.uf the House
of Commons last night, that this question will be allowed to
and snillowneeprsoiroiegefs.,4thi,rvieshmidiceisflkttlrsicioitrif-
rest; for Lord Ashley has declared that he
.will -pursue it to
the death. • Does it not, then; become the master manufac-
turersr,t4,:nt
areisl,blebsyt.ii.lotrtee,ai
Brusly
ii;bsFeCliirfe)
Tilwaoyv ionfg ItnlLesteintgn
in the House of Continent, prevent the. working people of
this country front having as good remuneration, wail the
mestere
_from having es gets.; Troit*4,yo they would have •
without the inteevehtioh of its law makers (and I would ad-
vita you to have as little to do with us as possible.)—(Ap- I

. -
the side of flick opponents of doubt.—(Hear, hear.) I
ask those who have now come to the conviction that free
trade is good for all, to do that ' which., several of the
most eminent of their party have already done, both here
and in Liverpool—to throw aside party, and come out
manfully to . maintain their opinions ; and I ask those
who have been brought to doubt not Tzto record their
opinions while they have doubts on their Minds, but
to abstain from a contest in which they do net .see their
way clearly, and to leave it till another contest to decide
whether they will take the ground of free trade, or resume
their own party colours.—(Applause.) Gentlemen, it is be-
cause I have sufficient confidence in the common sense and
sense of justice of my neighbours here auth in other towns,
that I cannot doubt, if we work as we ought during the next
fortnight, that this contest will be won.—(Loud applause.)
And when it is won we will meet here again, not to triumph
over any one, for we seek no victory, but to congratulate
ourselves upon the victory when free trade comes, as come
it will, spite of what may be the issue of the election.—
(Loud applause.) It may be retarded, but truth is invin-
cible, it cannot be put down; but come when it will, I shall
hail as gladly the benefits free trade will confer upon my po-
litical opponents, as any it can confer upon myself and those
most nearly connected with me in politics.—(Cheers.)
The cheers which followed Mr. Cobden's address having
subsided,
Mr. Alderman KERSHAW moved a resolution pledging the
meeting to support Mr. Brown, the free-trade candidate, in
the coining, contest ; and the resolution having been seconded
by Mr. John Potter, was supported by Mr. Alderman Brooks
and Mr. R. It Moore.
The resolution was carried with three times three cheers,
and the meeting separated at twenty-five minutes past nine
o'clock.