The Sun.
London, England, 1844-04-25 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON,_THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL 25, 1844,

GRAND WEEKLY
.11I-c 0 N_L NW LEAGUE
IIEETTNG
11' COVENT-GA.2D EIN Tii.EATRE.
The

done them good—that they weredoing them-ha'rm now
—and that they never expected to derive any benefit
from them. It that were untrue, the facts they stated
could have been contradicted. Would they not, with
all their Protection Societies, have answered those
statements of Hunt and ikdr.Latimore?—(Cheers.)
It was, therefore, from se.ing how little confidence
those people had iu their cause—it was from
observing the •universal admission now - male that
something must be done to meet the exigencies of Our
increasing population, and save from sink ng the
working classes—that he did expect, sooner or later,
they must see the importar.ce of the question which
they were associated to su:iport. Though it was at
first contrary to his inclination to postpone his mo-
tion for the abolition of the corn-laws, yet he was dis-
p ised to think that he was rightly advised, because
the public would have an opportunity of re-consider--
ing all those questions now before the country, and
the. House would be more generally prepared with

(Hear, hear.)_ He was the more persuaded
of the iniquity of those laws b?cause they
pressed much -more hardly on the means of
the poor than' of the rich man. That was
his first reason ; and his second was, that while the
rich man had a tolerably pure -article, that of the
poor man was a mixed, a manufactured, or an impure
and adulterated article.—(Cheers.) The sugar which
the poor man used was • so mixed with adultezatim,
ingredients, that they almost entirely destroyed its
saccharine quality. He had see i specimens lately
which scarcely containc.d any of the produce of the
sugar cane. Could anything be more cruel or un-
just than the contrast between the rich man and the
poor man? One had his article unmixed, and th7.e
purest that could be obtained, while the other had
Only an impure article, mixEd with adulterous and
poisonous ingredients, which he was compelled to.
make use of by sad necessity- and the law of
the country.—(Loud cheering.) It was the
—1 with regard to coffee. The. rich man

)le-, annual weekly meeting of the League t0,;,1e
,e)u est evening, at Covent garden Theatre. r
there
nut quite so thronged as on ferrner oeca-
Aeo"aere seas, however, a pretty full meeting.
Pe;hthose present we observed the II)n. Charles
Itpsal Villiers,' M.P. ; Thomas Milner Gibson, E:q ,
11,pPenljamin Snith, Esq., M.P. ; J. Cellett, Esq.,
1t,14.'D."" Blewitt, Esq., M.P.; Howard Elpin-
; John Bright, E'qe M.P.;
M.P.; W. Gordon Thomson, Esq.;
be-ents°ll Esq. • R. R. R. Moore, Esq.; 1).
p 2 -
4'es n't;s9s; George Thompson, Esq. ; W. A. Wile
1,1') '43(1. • E. Squire, Esq. ; Cewden Clarke, Esq.;
Se; eresnelf, Esq. ; William I.3x.vman, Esq. ; Robert
Esq..; Norman Wilkinson, Esq ; Joseph
-r4q• ; C. Bennett, Esq. ;'P. A. Taylor, Esq.;
iteee•arnbe.rs, Esq. ; J. Coulthard, Esq. ; Joseph
Paitlssc'ni Esq., Hexhain, Northumberland ; Arthur
eCkpl-,,Qn',&q.' Sir William Baynes, Bart.; W.
-yese• ; 'John Chalmers, Esq.; T. Pocock,
)3,;.;, Shelgrave, Esq. • Thomas Hubback, Esq.;
4,.,"4 Parker P- ; Press' Grangor, Esq. ;T. Ma-
se eei• .
!eree're resq• ; W. Kilvie, Esq., Redruth, Cornwall ;
a'ar'seo, Esq., Truro ; David Lawrie, Esq.;
ri Cabral!, Esq.; T. Falvey, Esq.; Charles
kese:onrg'h Esq.; James Kenworthy, Esq. ; John
b~dPt-Y, Esq. ; IV. Tweedale, Esq., Ashton-
-144r-Lyne E. Fordham, Esq.; E. K. Ford-
Sosa!esq: • Charles Squarey, Esq., Salisbury ; John
4ers• 1'43 1• eW. Thornborrow, Esq. ;J. Satin •
ha: cle; E. Robinson, Esq., Tewkesbury;
Esq, Nicholfs, Esq., Plymouth ; J. P. Barnard
Es ; Samuel Ashton Esq., Hyde 2'J. R. White,
Manchester;At J. Naylor, Esq., Manchester.
tlees ilalf-Past seven o'clock, the Hon. C. P. Vie-
/ft:4le 14. P., was called to the Chair.
rod Confirmed
einneetes (4. the last meeting having been read
looh cum.
„as ud] -1_144". came to the front of the stage, and
tee . eneered. He had been requested to take
101,. l‘nr that evening, in consequence, he regretted
iteZeitrilr!, of their chairman being still unabletohr,e,e-
tee „,.‘l,s Post. It had been expected that he would
tte• "u'e to do so that evening. He was, how
eseT.lloately. still obliged from indisposition, to be
Their friend. Mr. Cobden was; also absent
toe
etale, as they nimb t_suppos, but endeavouring,
nehten their neighbours at Greenwich. The
Pro-°41. °f occupying the chair that evening had been
rod Posed
, to 1M (Mr. V.) at a somewhat late hour,
lee," had quitted his vocations in another great
fee to attend there. He could not say he had much
heiP!e in so' doing, because he thought more rod
s'it be done by atteneling there than at the house
---(Cheeei.) Though, perhaps, they
P~ gilt think, from proceedings that had lately taken
IN' there, a fitter place 'for the enactment of such
Were might be found in the house in which they
tyre now assembled. If those meetings, by: the
the ad of truth, tended to advance the cause for which
Vtliwere associated, he deemed it a duty that they
ksecle_continue there to assemble to aid and support
lkteae‘ner as far as lay in their power, and he. was
ter ed that their cause was every day becoming of
Iteej,fle,tt_l more importance. Its bearing upon the
rrle Epics
of general. discuSsion was now bec.oin-
terlelfests It was to the credit of their feelings,
4-I‘4laPs the seisdom of the country, that the
4,i,e1:41 attention of the public was now engaged in
1.444:3 and considering in what way they could best
their "'e eendition of the people—of that vast mass of
Was fell
who lived by their labour. That
the Philanthropist
that was now engaging the attention of
ilooelelilanthropist and statesman, as it might have
ti
41't etd tel,atat some of quacks and adventurers. with ll parties
sth steps should be takenrespect
.
arils of which the people complained. He
Jetts e,nent• help thinking that when the various pro-
le ""jeh were now before the country were brought
pieeete,st of reason and general discussion, the peo -
the\v,:ald see that the simple and obvious remedy
Jteirt,ec°,romended was based—as it really was—upon
t<titeliberty, and sound policy, and that it wasd
po.d to the exigency of the case. They had reiache
aPparently when the majorities of both Houses
oeuvs ee
even
klopte Legislature were ready to advise, and
411 of any remedy that might meet
save
the „ the bad condition of the people at large, s
ti,l which seemed to require some little sacrifice
e‘vitee,;,rie_t3wo part ; and he could not reflect upon thatd
‘Qel(l-' 'laving always forcibly brought to his min
etreadierous illustration which Mr. O'Connell once
see °I their position with respect to this question
thatlllist was on discussion in the House. In the case
Ile 4'e quoted of his friend with the horse that
tteisn,PPosed to be overworked and ill-fed, every-
14e! had been tried but one thing—he had him
1)11' sit ,_ed, he had hini bled, he had him fired and
ll'CireTl'ed, but never tried the experiment• of
4ed eag. him less and feeding him more.—(Cheers
f
the lag.
Now that was a little the
tpositiTonhe
Wet great councillors in the Sena.e.
ear
teade' to listen to, and they lent a willing
that y crotehet and project that was suggested, save
the e\e'vuich Seemed obvious and singularly adapted
who
jeicr -iitrsa,se- They had benevolent individuals
?t -4°,,,etbe People were obliged to work hard and_
At4s"oln. their • subsistence, and they proposed
410u1seitee‘,4 Parliament to declare that the people
that tee"' work so long or so hard—that showed.
Poteee:seegood folk had singular faith in the omni-
ttooetTh°' Parliament ; but he was afraid it was no
Lad to-,81 they would succeed in their object. They
neleth:‘,lllally of these experiments. It was not
s`eeoel-ele°r people to wish an Act of Parliament to
Nisei:4,44h their object that it would do so. If they
ileW 0,7 atque Acts of. Parliament, instead of enacting
Illiep,;44es, they would be more likely to effect their
‘tho u.,3,_ They had always benevolent individuals
Neisne'll to earn the credit of humanity at little
ItilsBoftleehY such propositions • and no doubt some
they could. accomplish' their object; but it
ePtl -;evel" do until they struck at the root of the
those century ago, Horace Walpole adverted to,
goesae,4Periments of Acts of Parliament—he men-
et "i„!story of some elderly lady, either his mother
tvss aunt, who, hearing that a distiller
kfeeetleurnt by the :head of his still flying off vehee
e, Dr- nrged him to get an Act of Parliament passed
That vent. heads of stills flying off.—(Laughter.)
tiltoeee was a sort of Bill which was likely to pass
er Parliament without opposition. This was
hat
d3' Horace Walpoleloo years- ago, and it showedse
tell a, tendency there was in some people to propo.
iti:tbes for • which they would not be responsible.
teleefr scheme that was proposed now-a-days.as a
tise-Yrfor the grievances of the people, was emigre-
f°l' 'e.etie would not say a word against that scheme,
Paid fee were a working man, and his passage were
him: he would sooner go to another country
For flytnain in this, if the corn-lawsevere to continue.
e'ttte, was as certain as that-he stood there, if they
they lied,- there was no class of the. working men, be
tlet'se;ver so well paid, .that would not.sooner or later
Wite-ssrate and decline in condition. What he feared
net IsPect to emigration was, that it would
sPiieeffective for preventing the evil rne
reel:tinge though it might . for the preset_
it- ',There. was one party who were extremely
thou us to repeal the present poor-law, and who
tser.: t. that public charity and a more liberal dis-
Deernl of alms would relieve the distresses of the
and elevate their condition. He (Mr.
4awlti,-) had no objection to relax the rigour of any
to bi- •••4,t pressed upon the people, buthis objection .was
to tiac','ng the people in dependence on the poor-law ;
PaCineeeAng. the working people in the condition of
Pre‘`Zs and beggars. Now that which tended to
thee' Pauperism and begging was the thing which
a tt': ."ght most ardently to pursue. Pauperism was
edltsfertune which they ought to remove, and. that
been" enabled men to support themselves, without
teitigdePendent upon charity, was the most politic
hm to adopt. Then the other project which they
Prote„e!°re the country was that which was called 1
to a "*°o—ni
s ore protection. That seemed to belong
vee ai_eirt homoeopathic system of remedy. Its ad-
eoe.7 seemed to think that the people had little
less ? and his 'opinion was that the people would have
rat
till future, if they were to increase that remedy.
talvintghboetshee piae.vvoroe had the advantage over others of
their side. They need not depend
they opinion of the country as to what
etten:e,Otellemended. They seemed to have made an
te,l'erlf,), lately to get the opinion of the country in
preteeeyour, and much was heard sometime since of
poo Lle'n eOCieties, but little was heard of them now.
sten,?,,,,asking a person lately, who ought to know
told"-Ing about their proceedings, what had become
" great central society, he (Mr. Villiers) was
soee they were doing nothing," and that the branch
Al helles were helping them to do it.—(Laughter.)
look eY had seen of their doings did not
All til ashf they
4411)
tkeetatwi°oi s'
left were very confident and prosperous..
lees,
ecafead done was to issue a pamphlet in which
cte had been made from Adam Smith, with
that t
gavewh which hav‘n'asopposite sense to their.
a good way of creating
Nem ority where none existed; and he believed it
seas general observation that, whenever they had
had general
together and expressed their opinions, it
00(inot been to show that the corn-laws produced any
t, to the ro people, or to refute any of the charges
lleht
isepiv „against the corn-laws by the League, but
bees
0f,',7 the purpose of abusing the leading mem-
lleee.v e League ; and what he believed was ges
those observed was a striking fact, that, though
otrotective societies met for the purpose, as they
o,
,t protecting agricultural interests and doing
I.,;"'w to the farmer, there had not been one single
saver to
Mad, , nor, any attempt to deny, the statements
cperatinere
oy two farmers, who pointed out the
tlies " 4)f the corn-lawsl -upon ;their interests..
"arca 1 d
ees la stated that the corn-laws bad never

information upon the condition of the people. Their same .._
sole object was to improve the condition of the work- -bought it in the berry, and had it ground at his own
ing classes. It was certainly his intention to make house ; but the poor man was obliged to buy it im-
his usual motion this session, and take the first con- pure in some small shop, or to take it at the corner of
venient day in the ensuing month to propose it to the a street. The same was the case with regard to tea.
House.—(Cheers.) It was now his duty to introduce The rich man obtained souchong, which he had as
to their notice those Members of Parliament who pure as possible; the poor men was compelled to use
attended to aid in the discussion that evening. He congou, which was adulterated. This was an injus-
would introduce to them Mr. Ewart. tice—a gross injustice; for, es was said by Mr.
Mr. Evelerer here came forward and was received Burke, n the first object of a Legislature ought to be
with general cheering. He said if he consulted his the poor!' With them it seemed to- be the last. Let
own inclinations—perhaps he might say bit own in- them take another article, that of tobacco. It had
terest—because he did not feel very adequate to the been called " a narcotian weed." It had been intro-
task that evening—he should have declined the invi- doted into this country by Raleigh, and it ha I now
tation with which his friends Mr. Villiers and Mr. descended to the lowest classes of society. It was
Cobden had honoured him. Bat he did feel it an ho- called a, noxious weed, but still it was that from which
nour to be called on to stand before that meeting, and the poor man derived solace and comfort ; yet it was
in such a cause as that they advocated. The Chair- taxed at 800 per cent. on the value of the
man had, in the co:nmencement of his seeech, truly article. He formed one of a Committee which
said that they might be better employed tlmn in car- was sitting at present upon the subject,
taro scenic exhibitions, such as those that had been ce- and they had a great deal of evidence upon it. It
lebrated of late in a certain place. He believed that showed, that while the tobacco of the rich man was
his Honourable Friends, whom he saw around him, pure and unadulterated, the tobacco of the poor man
in being absent from the House of Commons, was greatly mixed, adulterated, and entirely changed,
were more tranquilly, usefully, and benefi-• and the only chance he had of getting a good article
cially engaged for the interests of the country was when it was smuggled. Could those be just or
in advocating the repeal of the corn laws, which good laws which created such a state of things ? But
had so long oppressed the people of this coup- there was another aspect to the question. These laws
try, by obstructing the supply of fool to the popula- were not only oppressive to the people on the ground
tion, and fettering commerce, than they might be in he had mentioned; they were also a temptation to
listening to personal harangues, and witnessing exhi- the people to become immoral. Instead of becoming
bitions of personal violence, which he could wish, for honest peasants they became dishonest smugglers.
the sake of the country and the House, had been The high duties tempted them, and offered them
alike spared. Since he had last the honour of ad- such a prize as their virtue was not able to resist.
dressing them, a great change had come over the Therefore were their laws not only uncommercial
spirit of the country. He had last addressed them in and anti social, but they were oppressive to the peo-
the hour of severe adversity. The country was suffer- pie, by taking the means of subsistence from them.
big under one of those tempests which sometimes shook How much better and more conducive to the interests
commerce to its centre, and drove it from its basis. of the country would it not be if, by removing those
To the storm which had pervaded the commercial laws which impeded commerce, they increased their
and manufacturing districts had succeeded a calm. intercourse with Belgium, with America, and
.with
They-were at present in a state of apparent and of other foreign countries; receiving the productions of
temporary prosperity. How long was it to last ? those countries in exchange for their own, calling into
As one of the poets said— life numbers of their people in seamen, who knew not
" In painted pomp the gilded vessel goes, how to exist at present, instead of tempting them by
Unmindful of the sweeping whirlwind's sway, high duties to become smugglers ? First of
Which hush'd in grim repose expects its evening prey." all they should get rid of colonial monopolies.
(Cheers.) There was a stillness, it was true. They Some years ago this country paid twenty millions as
were now more prosperous than they were some time compensation to the owners of slaves, and received
ago. But who knew hew soon a change might come, nothing.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) They had,
and how soon the tranquillity which at present pre- indeed, received the greatest of all moral rewards—
veiled might be changed into a violent storm ? fie greatest which could be possessed by a benevolent
(Hear.) Depend on it, no prospetity could continue and enlightened mind—namely, the emancipation of
unless they altered the laws which regulated the hundreds of thousands of their fellow-beings. He
price of the food of the people. As long as there did not for a moment mean to place in the balance
were laws which interfered with the commerce of the against such a consummation the paltry sum, for
country—as long as the corn-laws and the;sugar-laws such he might call it when given for such
—as long as all those laws which prohibited a large a purpose, which had been given to re-
importation of articles of household use continued, deem hundreds of thousands of their long-
there would be neither security for commerce nor for .suffering fellow-beings from slavery and oppression.
a supply of these articles on which the subsistence of The country not only paid the price of their libera-
the people rested.—(Hear, hear.) Therefore he said tion, but of its own ;it not only paid 20,000,0001.
that the present calm was delusive ; and though there sterling as the price of their emancipation, but as the
was a silence and stillness, it was such as preceded price of its own. If they were to have the iron fet-
the whirlwind.—(Hear, hear.) His Hon. Friends, ters for ever shaken from the hands of the slaves, they
Mr. Cobden and Mr. Bright, had been accused also said, let us have the commercial fetters shaken
with parading the country, and with exciting off from our own hands also.—(Cheers.) The slaves
agitation. His Hon. Friends had done the greatest were freed, but the people of this country were conti-
good by adopting such a course.—(Cheers.) They ruled bound, and unless they demanded the abolition
thereby produced a wholesome agitation of the at- of these restrictions, they would continue to be so,
innsphere, which rendered the air pure and good—it till nothing short of the compulsion of
was that agitation of the storm which, by its motion, necessity s'iould drive the Legislature to redeem its
worked itself into purity; it was that agitation of pledge. How would they. call into its fall
the tide which prevented the ocean from becoming force the power of their colonial enterprise ? How
stagnant and noxious. Such were the results of the would they bring out the latent energies that were
public virtues and patriotic efforts of his Hon. Friends. hidden in their colonies ? By pronouncing one short
They had omitted nothing which could excite magic word, and that word was Competition.—
curiosity and information upon the subject, even in (Cheers.) The colonists were now asking for an im-
quarters where information and curiosity were never migration of labourers into the West Indies. They
excited before. They went into the agricultural dis- asked also to be allowed to continue their monopolla.
y
tracts, and pehetrated into those forbidden places, the Give them, if they liked, thi immig -
estates of squires. How dare they go amongst the bourers ; let them get it, if they could get it honestly ;
tenants and peasants Of the squires, and disseminate hut give them also competition. Nothing would call
amongst them those notions which emanated from the into operation the active energies of the
'West Indies,
Anti-Corn-law League? The tenants and peasants in in relation :with this country, except the soul
distant parts of the country had no idea, not only of all trade, the animating principle of
of the importance of the question, but had scarcely all enterprise, competition. As.long as they were
an idea even of their natural rights as men.—(Hear, monopolists, so lone would they remain sluggards.
hear.) The tenants never thought, as the tenants did Despotism might bind up the hands.of men, but mo-
in Scotland, to look for long leases, till the Anti-Corn- nopoly fettered, rusted, and corroded, and eat into the
law League dispelled the settled darkness which very soul and spirit of commerce.—(Cheers.) But
heretofore obscured their minds. The peasants then were there no other persons to whom he would extend
began to think that they would be better if an altera- this principle of competition? Yes; there was an-
tion was made in the laws which prohibited a free other race of men, the landowners of this country, to
supply of food, than that a necessary supply should whom he would apply it. Let them enter upon the
be withheld from them. They were enlightened on field of competition courageously, fairly, and openly,
the subject by those undaunted leaders of the League, with the corn producers of other
countries, for
Mr. Cobden and Mr. Bright.—(Cheers.) In times until they did that, ' they could neither know
of prosperity this agitation might not be so their own resources for the supply of food,
powerful as in times oedistress, but there were good nor couldand they know the extent
thof their own
and valid reasons why :the agitation should continue,
energies enterprise. Call on em, and e
and why they should assume even a firmer and trusted it would be done successfully, to meet foreign
sterner tone than ever in demanding a repeal of the competition on the fair grounds of a rival trade, and
corn-laws, and all laws which pressed on commerce they would then summon into active existence ener-
and impeded the unrestricted flow of manufactures. because
and powers that had hitherto lain dormant, only
aenrodd
But he looked beyond the bounds of his own country, because they had not been called out by competition
and he saw that the manufactures of America were with other nations. Let them call out these powers,
they
lwvohuyl d t
hteh
mereen see
agitation
g iwt
flea
iaot n thisonl y coofutnhter yq u
ec
sotui
ol could
extending themselves with that energy which marked
the spirit of that enterprising and commercial e
of competition, not the thing itself—not its Substance
country. Nothing seemed too great fur her exertions.
but merely its shadow, the agitation that had spread
Whatever they might think of their own manufactur-
ing experience, they might depend upon it there laws involving
land in favour of a repeal of the corn-
was one nation which was driven on by an urgent and laws,
had called forth energies in the agricultural
impetuous desire to overtake them in rnanufacturin
unknown before. They were now
improvement. That That country was the offspring of interest quite .
g petition,
borrow word's—words
their own soil. The people of that country had not ginning to bestir themselves like men who had been
only inherited the industry and enterprise which for a long time asleep, or, to
characterised the people of England ; but they mans- which
Tested such a degree of energy, for which he might own, likewere far superior to any he could use of his
almost call them ultra-Enelish, that they were likely " Men wont to watch, on duty sleeping caught,
to become the greatest rivals of their manufacturing
supremacy and commercial greatness, and Ere well awake."
By those they dread, rouse and bestir themselves,
seemed to become their most powerful corn- —(Cheers.) So had it been with the agricultural in-
petitors in the arts of peace as they had been terest of this country, they had roused and bestirred
their most successful opponents in the arts of war. themselves, and were now draining, and projecting
They were now working ccal-tracts and iron mines, improvements, and devising mechanical adaptations,
in order to the production of machineey, and at the which the agriculturists never dreamed of before.
moment while he was speaking, they were extending, How had they been roused into this sudden activity
by treaty, the limits of their trade. It was only yes- and unwonted energy ? Because they heard from
terday they had heard that America had concluded a afar off the distant murmurs, yet remote, of the
commercial treaty with theZollverein, or the great Ge- name of competition. At a distance they dreaded it,
man Commercial Confederation. They were making and if at this distance the word produced these won-
new advances, which would stimulate their exertions, derful results, what effects would be produced by
and they were marching with a rapidity which would its practical application ?—(Cheers.) It was the Anti-
seem as if they would distance them in the race of Corn-law League that had raised this magic sound,
manufacturing prosperity, and remove them from and had disturbed with it the almost perennial slum-
that easy supremacy which they had heretofore held. ber of the agricultural interest; nor would it rest
America thus opened to herself a market of 27,000,000 till they were brought to fight with not only the
of people for her tobacco and other produce. What distant shadow; but with the formidable substance
had the Government of England done for her corn- and reality of competition.—(Cheers.) And when
merce by the way of treaty ? Nothing—absolutely, they met in an open and English-like manner, they
nothing! They might, perhaps, be received on the would vanquish it; but as long as they looked on it
footing of the most favoured of nations, but that was like children trembling at a shade, they would not
all. They had" " failed in their attempts to exert their energies or awaken their courage, but re-
unite their commerce with the trade of other main passive and dormant in the same state as they
nations by treaty. The only course which were when the Anti-Corn-law League first
remained open was that which was whispered in disturbed their slumbers. On these grounds
Downing-street, and sometimes uttered in the he called on them to support the cause of free trade;
House of Commons, that which was first proinul- nor did he restrict the term to the Anti-Corn-law
gated by Franklin, and afterwards reiterated by League ; the doctrines of free trade generally, ex-
Pitt and Peel, that simple principle of buying elusive of the question of a free trade in corn, was
in the cheapest market and selling in the beginning to be a received axiom in this country ;it
dearest. The Ministers were sometimes, by their was no longer a problem; it had become an axiom
friends and foes, charged with being free-traders, which would be made the basis of future problems.
He gave them full credit for what they did. Ile The doctrine of free trade, was beginning to be re-
could only wish they were mere open in carrying ceived as an admitted fact, and he trusted that, ere
into practice their theory of free trade. One Minister long, they should see free-trade associations, having
had just made the declaration lie had now quoted; for their object the spreading of the doctrine of the
and others said that the principles of free trade were most extensive intercourse with foreign coun-
the principles of common sense. Another, was sup- tries, the employment of their manufactures' and,
posed to write in favour of the Government principles as a consequence, the most active development of their
of free trade. If such were the principles agricultural industry, extended from one end of the
entertained by the Ministers, why did they island to the other. Thus were things always begun
not act on them? He could- not conceive This great association began in Manchester, it had
a more ridiculous position than that of a extended to London, it was extending all over Eng-
Minister who, while writing in his office in favour of land, and its pricc iples were spreading all over the
free trade, might be visited by his political supporters world.-- (Cheers.) This principle of the freedom of
who were opposed to the extension of commerce, and trade, which was the basis of its operations, he might
who, on asking him what he was writing, must con- almost say had arisen with the Anti-Corn-laW
teal the tenor of his writing from his too inquisitive League. He had himself seen translated into
visitants. It reminded him of a scene which Spanish the whole of' the evidence taken be-
they must have witnessed in the play of the fore the Committee of the House of Commons
Rivals, in which a young lady, when suddenly
,in favour of free trade ; he had seen the name of their
caught with a parcel of contraband works, concealed excellent Chairman, Mr. Villiers, and of the Hon.
them under the cover of a more pious work, and hid-a Member near him, the name of Mr. Hume, and he
delicate embezzlement under the " Whole Duty of had been astonished, and perhaps puzzled, to see his
Man.". 7-(Laughter.) Such would be the position of .own name also, with all their questions and the
a Minister interrupted by the ingress of some mono- answers they obtained to them, circulated throughout
polist. He maintained not only that the Government I Spain, in a, translation, for the benefit of that illus-
and Parliament ought to lock to the abolition of the trious, but unfortunate and benighted country. He
corn-laws, the great and most important remedy called on them, by extending the doctrines of free
which could be devised fir the commercial and fiscal trade abroad, to disseminate also the doctrines of
evils of the country; but he maintained thatthey ought peace--of peace, the great consummation and great
also to look to the removal of the oppressive duties on triumph of free trade. Free traders were the friends
sugar, coffee, and tea, and all articles which went to of peace, and they rejoiced in the title—(Cheers).—
maintain the people, and more especially of those they.wished to
articles which, in consequence of the high duties on
- " Bind the unsocial nations into one,"
them, held out an inducement to the smuggler and
o,qietion, bu
and to link them
were ruin to the fair trader.—(Cheers.) He mein- ru:;triction, tbyt o ghtheeet
arnot
°,
In bc yh tihne iron fettersofmutual.deo-f
taitied that it was the first duty of a Government liedpendence.—(Cheers.) `these doctrines will be our
of a Parliament td: watch over the subsistence and I triumph abroad. And what was their triumph at
superintend by law the morals of the people.— home ? It was this, •that they maintained the

Teclt.ing • their- distresses, . ,
. . ....._..-...._
principle of free trade, and spread it by a :plumes which decorated their •heads; they • did not: the course of the -Speeches whlch lie igyi dell vered l Years before, this body had petitioned parliament
re.
made use of such l
peaceful agitation, conducted wisely and bar- haar of any ostrich feather law. (Laughter.) during the late contest •in the Chtiy,
gl, ,a,
1 re- , and requested that
nioniously, from the centre to the circuin- Again, let them take the shoes of the ladies. • Why, 'statements. He believed that Jar: -tiara b
.0 1 , lar lament should fix their s • s .
fererce, inculcating thehis
principles of peace ant they had only to walk through the city of Westmin- serve I the real expression of fee.'ings for the es. e•- , And in accordance with N•agts at a certain price.
their wish Parliament left
......(Cheers nro I ' their rate of, wages
good order. They maintained that, with the extension star and they would see shop upon shop in which tit of his Huntingdon constituents.
`,at •Was m e2rit Let it be undo tto be defined hy the magistrates.
of commerce and manufactures, the good order and they would find oothing but French shoes. They laughter.) Now, let them examine w._ , . ,
•settong over county ef
enlightenment of this country were increased also. would find that those who sold French shoes in this by that question. That. there was no 6 . ion esi • -•- Middlesex only • yet, in twenty
y ears af-
' free and unfettered
Ile maiotaine.l that during the late severe trials in the metropolis were doing a flourishing trade.—(Hear, that fact, " tnat a • - imm.•-srtat. , , tei wards, as he had -1 ready- ' sari,
read-
i iculturtsl . idie what was' 4,000 weavers were
manuficturing districts in this country, it was the ;hear.) He was g:ad of it. He did not ob- coin must diminish the employment: of ag, . , , . .. • the co -
, n ()ter pom weaver- nsequence ? Why, that ,these
greatest triumph the human mind could conceive, or ! ject to their doing a flourishing trade, but what he ob- labour in this, country?' There was no getti g ._ ; , , fled from London p. • '
.(Lou.. i nester, and Gies to Paisley, and Man-
human efforts accomplish, to see that, notwithstanding : jected to was, that while our legislators thought it it if it were a fact, but it was not a fact.- gow, to establish thesilk
of Mr tl. somas 1 facture, and to avoid the evil mann-
the existence of privations and sufferings, not only good for their own families to admit certain foreign cheers.) It was merely an assertion •
• ala all 1.1 wlsieh, at their instane
unfelt, but even unimagined before, vet peace' articles, they did not extend the same liberty to the Baring, which was opposed to all experience •
a MV .Ba - I the Post, Herald, 'and es
e bad been created. Now, if
prevailed in these districts of the country.—(Loud working Classes, for what they might think advanta- fact.—(Cheers.) . Persons who argue astandard h d their •
, a o Theo t I cisely toe same state of thingsa will, pre-
cheers.) He feared that if the same temptations I geons for their families.—(Cheers.) He had been ring did, assumed that every quarter of •• would
be brought
dig. • ,about, and the people of E
to disorder had existed in the agricultural districts, walking that morning in company with a Conserve- imparted from foreign countries would
.. ,
colatong Ito seek in a foreign coo try lidond would h bl' 4
e o ige
among' the ignorant and unenlightened agricultural five friend of his—(A. laugh)—for he was one of those place one quarter of English wheat; and cal
lln 1815 and 1816, 1 y means of subsistence.
population, he feared they would have applied the fire- who thought politics ought never to sever friendships- that every man, woman, and child, consumed a RUIP . , .++ hen protection to the silk trade
.•.s at its highest, the silk
brand instead of submittingswith patience to their 1 —(Loud cheers.) He was walking with a Conservae I ter of wheat in the year, they reckoned that e'veVa, to, weavers were most
sufferings.—(Hear, hear.) Depend upon it that the ' tire friend of his down St. James's-street,- and quarter offoreign w lea which. vi as consumed took his -It• a ,ssed. Then what did those
er.'•.- .eciolesof free who stated that
doctrines of free trade inculcated those principles o friend pointed out to him the great beauty of a mag- one customer from the English farmer. And then , the Pro. ~
s Auld sense which taught the people that the princi •• nificent erection which was building in that street for they went on tc' contend, that as these customers silk had ~.,een injurious ? In that trade °)
i, at
pies which could alone vanquish their difficulties and the Junior Conservative Club. That club, as they all were taken front The English farmer, it would throw all events, it coo.
d be demonstrated beyond a doubt
conquer in tlfe strife in which they were engaged, knew,was to be the place to which all the corn-law sup- his land out of cultivation, and agricultural labour that when, protecL'on, was highest distress was
were the doctrines that were consistent s‘ith trail:. porters—all those who were opposed to free trade— would go unemployed. But, in making them usser- greatest. In 1824, 31.;•.• -aoskisson determined on
quillity and, peace.—(Hear, hear.) These, were the were to resort. It was a great political club. There tions, they never looked at the fact th od there were making a change in the silk &item He reduced the
principles which were before them, and before those persons who were leagued together to support living in this country eight or ten millions 'people who duty on the importation of thrown .silk to 7s. 6d. per
the country, and he called on them for their sincere the present system of corn-laws, and to oppose the doe- were not customers at all to the farmers for bread. ' pound, and on raw silk to 3d. per poune!. and on menu-
and enthusiastic, and he might almost say their unani- trines of free trade, were to be gathered together. In order to establish their fact, they were factured silk to 30cent. ad /( •,duty-
per
mous support. If they knew their own interest, they His Conservative friend ha 1 looked up at the building, bound. to show that every person in the king- 1825 there were 780,000 spindles at work in this
would support principles such as these. But, whether and had directed his attention to the beauty of the dog was supplied with as much agricultural country. There were in 1835, 1,180,000. In .1825,
they supported them now or not, or whether they stone which was used in its construction. He asked produce as they stood in need of. They assumed that when the silk of France wasprohibited, there were, ten
were destined at the present moment to have only where that stone had come from, and it turned out to be the case; but the contrary was the fact. The weaving establishments• I '
in Manchester, emp oynig
a species of temporary popularity, and afterwards that that stone had come from Caen, in Normandy.— report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into 309 hands each. In 1835, when French silk Mk,
to lose their impression on the minds of a portion of (Cheers.) So that, in a place which had been erected the condition of the working
,classes in the agricul- admitted, there were thirty establishments employing
the people of this country, he was convinced that they to enable them to do their best to put down the doe- tural counties, stated that in Devonshire, in Dor- 500 hands
would.eventually triumph, that the people of England trines of free trade, and to destroa: commercial pros- setshire, in Wiltshire, in Somersetehire, in Hamp- were prohibited, there were 3,000 persons employed in
would not forget their interests—their dearest interests perity, they had been actually doing this—they had shire, in Northumberland, and in inane other agri '-
weaving
silk, and when French silks were
—the interests, not only of themselves, but of their been engaging the commerce of the country to bring cultural counties, the people were illofeA, ill-clothed, admitted there were 15,000 persons.—(Cheers.)
wives and families, and of their descendants, which from foreign countries the stone which they could ill-housed, 111-employed, and ill-paido The Commis- With these facts before
them, what did the protec-
he believed were intimately and indissolubly con- not find in this.—(Cheers.) He did not blame, them sinners appointed to inquire into a
te state of the poor tionists mean by standing up amongst the Spitalfields
nected with the doctines and principles of freedom of for doing so.—(Cheers.) He thought that it they in Ireland, stated that there were .five
millions of per- wearers to try to persuade them to join in a cry for
trade.--(Cheers.) found the stone was better suited to their purpose sons in that country living ninon potatoes as their protection to British industry ? British industry
,
than the stone which they could procure in daily food. Dr. Marsham, of memory, had wanted no protection.—(Cheers.) British industry,
Mr. by ELPHINSTONE, M.P., having been
this country, as the stone here was so bad, and could stated their were ten milli( ms of persons in this from the least skilled and worst paid labourer in agra-
announced by the Chairman, then addressed the
Only be procured in small quantities, they were country who rejoiced in pot
meeting. He said that after the able speech of Mr.satoes and oatmeal. So culture, to the best paid maker and inventor of mile
perfectly right in sending for it from abroad. They long as these people
Ewart, he should feel, perhaps, more hesitation than were ill-fed—so long chinery in this country, needed no protection. It-
he then did in 'addressing them on the present occa- would have done wrong if they had not done so ; but as they were forced to consume an inferior food in- wanted . liberty-it wanted room to work in—it
sion, did he not feel convinced that he did not yield he asked them to consider whether the people of this stead of wheat, which, no doubt, they would consume wanted its right to the fair share of the world's pro-
either to him or to their excellent'Chairman in country might not think that there were certain other if they could a.Tord to 'purchase it—so long as such duce to ,be held sacred—it wanted the protection
the deep conviction he entertained of the things besides these which they might get better from was the case, the importation of wheat from abroad which nature had given it when it made men wish to
injustice of the system of the corn-laws. abroad than the things they found at home ? Might would not diss dace. one single quarter of English have in return for all they could make, the best of
which inflicted a double wrong on the people, that of they not consider that there was so little corn in this wheat, until th a whole of these people who now re- everything all the world over. —(Cheers.) But
making their food dear, while by diminishing their country, or that it was so bad, that it would be for juiced in potato ,es and oatmeal were supplied, and as the case of silk was not yet complete. In 1821, 1822,
employment they made the wages of labour cheap.
their benefit to have the corn . o,f, America or the importatiot.a of these ten million quarters of wheat and 1823, they used annually in this country
Poland brought here for their use ?—(Hear, hear, must be paid ..or in the produce of the industry of this 2,399,000 lbs. of silk in all their manufactories; irt
Now he must say that, when they considered that
and cheers.) Let them apply the same doctrine to country, whi eh would give additional employment, 1839, 1840, and 1841, when the protection had been
there were' in this country no less than a million and
others ►which they applied to themselves. So much so the English farmer would have his condition im- reduced, they used 8,435,898 lbs. of silk, being arm
a half of their fAlow-subjects receiving alms in work -
had been said in relation to corn in that place, that proved by having a greater number of cos- increase of 100 per cent. There was another in--
houses as paupers, he thought that every man m ast
he would not weary them with any further remarks tomers. The last three years had been years teresting point in relation to this silk question to which
be of opinion that there was something morally wrong
in the social condition of this country. And when
on the subject. Every person of commondistress in the manufacturing districts, he could not refrain from referring, as it settled the
he knew, as every man must know, the great skill
every man, woman, or child, who had though sense— of great
thought on the and the 1-47aiglish farmer had found in conse- question of total and immediate repeal. When,. its
and great industry of the working classes
subject—had come to the firm opinion that it was quence th: tt he could .not get a sale for 1824, Mr. Huskinson proposed to admit the manta
of this country, and when they knew the abut).-
wrong to tax one of the first necessaries of life, his produceo The League called themselves the factured silk of France at 30 per cent. duty, the
dance of capital that there was in this country,
and that they were bound to take off the duty en- friends of the farmers, and said they were the only manufacturers said, ONo ; give us time to dispose of
which was only waiting for employment, he was one tirely from corn, in order to increase the means of organisation iin existence which went the right way our stock on hand, and let the change begin •
employment for the labouring classes of this country. to work to bedriend and assist the farmer and the la- in July,
of those persons who thought that it was bad laWs and 1826. During those two years we
He wished to say a few words relative to an article bouror out of' their difficulties. They would befriend shall be able to dispose of our stock, and then we shall
bad legislation which had been pressing for so many
which was almost equally a necessary of life with the fanner by finding him more customers. Let them be prepared for competition with France." Mr. Hus-
years on the productive industry and energies of the
corn—he meant sugar--(Cheers-) He was desirous look at these ten millions of people. Some Of them kisson agreed to this proposal. Immediately two re-
country. Now it appeared that the persons who were
at present their legislators
of calling their attention to the subject of sugar, for were paupers, supported at the farmer's cost. All were suits were produced. Our manufacturers found it
e and who were interested
present monopolies, had
this reason : he thought there had been a great deal bad customers ; but they•said, " let us import grain hard to sell, for both the shopkeeper and the buyer
in the continuance of th
of unnecessary cant, if he might be allowed the ex- to feed these people. We must pay for that grain waited for the French silks to come in at a reduced
proposed various remedies against this state of things •
I made use of in reference to this subject.— by the product: of the
lie had Pressio• , . p manufacturing skill of this price.—(Hear.) The French, looking forward to the
some persons, exceedingly well meaning men,
stein of (Cheers.) He believed that it could be proved, by country; these people will then obtain employment at reduction in duty, waited double time, and laid up
no doubt, had proposed what they called a s 3
stein
that was to say, they wished the reference to every Price Current of the day, that we good wages ; • mid, in addition to purchasing the fo- large stocks. Six months before Mr. Huskisson's law
poorer classes of this country to leave the were now. paying. for the .sugar, which the people of reign grain, they will become customers to the farmer was to come into operation, our manufacturers went
home of their forefathers, and they wished the this country were compelled to take from the West for milk, and butter, and bacon, and cheese, and to Parliament and said, " The French have large
and
people to believe, as sensiblewell-thinking men, Indian proprietors, threepence a pound more than if egg", and mutton, and beef, and variety a of stocks by them, but they are all of a particular
that it was easier to remove men, women, and we bought it in the free market of the world.— articles which they haves never before consumed?' length; prohibit silks of that length, and then we
children from this country to the countries where (Cheers.) If they took the consumption of sugar hy —(Cheers.) Now this statement was borne shall be quite ready to compete." Again Mr. Huskis-
they might obtain food, than to bring the food to the people of this country at its presen.t amount, it out by facts. Two years ago they were amidst a son agreed. The French silks of this particular length
this country where the people were accustomed to would be found that, at the extreme price we were period of great and bitter distress. Mills were were prohibited. But they worked harder than ever;
live. He thought that before they tried this experi- now paying the West Indian proprietors for stopped. Men were idle ; either beggars, or they made silks of short lengths ; and the result was
ment, they might at least try the more simple one of the sugar, we were paying about 5,000,0001. annually thronging the workhouses as paupers, although they that the English manufacturers had their own stock
making use of the commercial industry of this coun- for sugar more than we should have to pay if we were able and well-sl tilled, and willing to work. At on hand, whilst the short lengths were admitted under
try, sending their ships to foreign lands to bring their were permitted to purchase our sugar in the Brazils, that period the farm'ers had a less sale for their live the reduced duty.—(Hear.) Now came the conclu-
produce to this country, and endeavour to give the or in the open market of the world. These five stock than they now had, when trade had a little re- sion of this question. In 1823, we exported
people that food of which they stood so much in millions a year were paid to those persons who had viveds Now, if this revival of trade, this taking again 351,000/. worth of silk goods ; in 1837, ten years
need. This logic, owing to the exertions of been already compensated for getting rid of slavery into employment of some of those persons, had pro- after the alteration ,we exported 917,000/. worth of
the Anti-Corn-law League, having
, been what by the payment of 20,000,0001.; and yet they were duced an increased consumption of beef and mutton silks; and in 1839, we exported 410,3001. worth to
was called " bloWn upon" another crotchet now paying to those persons an equal amount of which had not previously existed, the extension of the United States. Now, was it not clear that our
was started. Some very estimable individuals had compensation every four years. When the people of trade, by givissg employment to people who had not silk manufacture had improved ?—(Hear, hear)—
brought forward what was called the factory ques- this country came forward generously with that hitherto been. employed, would make those people that it had nothing to fear from a competition ? The
tion. Under the pretence of being the friends of the amount of compensation to do away with slavery, become consumers of . live stock, which would American market was open to the French as well
people, they had introduced the ten hour system. He they never intended to pay that amount over and thereby obtain a more extended and steady market. as ourselves, and yet we sold there 400,0001'.
believed that no proposition that had ever been made, over again.—(Hear, hear.) They intended that for a Let no o:ae turn their mind aside from these facts, worth of silk goods annually. The competition gave
final settlement of the question.—(Cheers.) And he nor attempt to mystify them. They could not get us great impetus. We took the French patterns, and
either in the House of Commons or elsewhere, was
would engage to say, that if any person had pro- wheat in E'urope or America without paying for it, improved upon the French looms. In 1824, and
more likely to do harm to the working classes of this
so nose posed when these. 20,000,000/. Were granted, to add and they must pay the freight and other expenses of again in 1826, Mr. Ellice, the Member for Coventry,
country.' He believed that there was nothing
y to that a tax by which the same amount should be importation. They could not pay for it without stated, in the House of Commons, that the French
chievous .as any attempt to interfere with industr
paid to the West Indian proprietors every four years, he employing more people in this country than they at looms produced five times as much silk as our own ;
and labour on the part of the Legislature.—
would have been laughed to scorn.—(Cheers.) .But the present employed, for it must be paid for by labour. and he asked for protectiOn. Mr. Huskissort replied,
(Loud cheers.) He need not, before them, go into
Legislature had managed the matter in an easier way If we paid for it in gold we must pay for gold by our "We will give you the impetus of competition, and
but there
all the arguments on this question ; b . •
was one which he thought was almost irresistible.hadnot led to Parliament for compensa- manufact red
—they appea u goods, which were the produce of la- then your looms will be as good as those of the
tion, but they had said we will take care to have slaw hour still.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. Baring said that Preach." They became not only as good, but better
What they obtained in this country----the production
of this country—was of course produced by the la-
that shall give us a greater amount for our sugar than every quarter of foreign corn that came into this than those of the French. The Legislature were
boor of their workmen. By the Ten ,Hours' Bill
for the sugar which is produced in any other country country displaced a quarter of home-grown corn. For asked, not to lower the duty on French silks, lest the
they diminished the hours of working, and conse-
—we will take care that every four years we will *get the last five years, a million and a half of quarters of trade should become extinct. The Legislature did.
queutly that which was produced, by one-sixth—that an additional 20,000,0001. into our own pockets.— foreign corn were imported. Did they displace the not listen to the parties who made this
was to say, that the goods produced by the energies of (Loud cheers.) There had been a great deal said in home-grown corn ? No. But the landlords tolerated demand, but although they dial not make the trade
their workmen should be diminished by one-sixth, relation to sugar on the subject of slavery. He was their introduction—first, because they could not be dis- entirely free, yet they took a step in the right di •
and that all classes of the community had one-sixth one of those who wished to see slavery put down, in 'sensed with ; and secondly, that by keeping a limited rection. In 1824 we sold 75,000/. worth of goods in
less of the goods made by their workmen to enjoy
whatever country or whatever clime it might be found. supply, they could still maintain the high prices of France ;in 1841 we sold 181,000/. worth in the mar-
for the benefit of themselves and their families.
—(Cheers.) It was the foul blot in the cause of hu- corn. He had lately been in the manufacturing districts, kets of France: Under freedom the silk trade estab-
inanity. But how could they put down slavery by and was shocked at the extreme poverty which pre- fished itself. Under protection it declined. Did the
It appeared to him that both nostrums of
not admitting the sugar of Brazil to consumption in vailed there. He had been at the election at Exeter. protection to British industry benefit the people now ?
these quacks of legislation—(Great laughter)—
this country, when they admitted it to be refined in and had never_ seen greater misery than prevailed in Did they think that they could impose on the Spital-
would be failures, and he believed that the only sound
this country, to be exported to other countries, and the neighbourhoods surrounding that town. The fields weavers ? No honest weaver, either in Spital-
principle by which they could relieve the distresses of
took the produce of it, and put it into their own condition of the agricultural population of Devon- fields, in Manchester, or in Paisley—no man
the working classes of this country, was by adopting
pockets ? They would not be keeping up slavery in shire was of itself sufficient to condemn who read and thought—no man who had lived
a really good system of free trade • because by adapt' the Brazils by admitting their sugars into this coun- the corn-laws.—(Cheers.) The Standard, Herald, long enough to recollect the corn-law of 1815—
ing such a system they would encourage manufac
try, because they knew very well that there were . and Post, and occasionally the Times, in speaking of no man who recollected his feelings of gratitude
'tures, give employment to their nople, and by giving countries which produced sugar in which there was a repeal of the corn-laws, said they would injure the to Mr. Huskinson, so great, that when he visited Mac-
them employment, enable them to find the means of
no slaver There could be but one rice for goods
supporting themselves and their families in plenty and y. p
condition of the agricultural labourer. One would clesfield, the weavers, throwers, and spinners, took
in the market of the world, .and as he believed that think, from. the. manner in which those newspapers the horses out of his carriage, and drew him in
comfort. But he found that those who supported
free labour would always be found to be cheaper than spoke, that the agricultural labourers were in the triumph through the town ; no man of this kind
these monopolies were on every occasion willing to
slave labour, he could.not but believe that the sugar perpetual enjoyment •of a sunshine of felicity, that would he found joining them in their cry for protec-.
benefit themselves at the ex ens of other classes. He
which was produced in Manilla and other countries they had high wages, were well clad, well taught, tion to British industry.—(Cheers.) And then as to
should like to call their attention in the first instance
by free labour, would undersell sugar, the pro- comfortable, and prosperous, and yet there were none their second point, that the working classes were not
to what was called the land-tax. They were all well
duce of slave . labour in the Brazils, and thus so discontented, and none on whom want so bitterly with them, he would arawer that statement in a very .
aware that in almost every civilisedcountry of Europe
the Brazilian planters would be driven, in d those same agricultural labourers.— few n ords. There were 500,000 registered members of
theiland . paid the greater portion of the burdens of presse , as
self-defence, to do away with slavery.—(Hear, hear.) (Cheers.) On an they had not more than the League in London. -Were they all of the middle
the State. Let them take France for instance—let average,
them take the greater part of the States of despotic He trusted that he had said enough on the present 73. a week, Now, upon-such a pittance, how could classes ?—(Hear and cheers.) He (Mr. M.) had been
Germany or Italy, and they would find that almost
spmost
occasion. to give them good grounds at least for be- they support their families? So much for the state- in nearly every town in England during the last five
all the public burdens were paid by the hod- coming members of the Corn -law League.—(Cheers.) ments of Mr. Baring, that the unfettered importation or six months, holding meetings to raise contributions
His Hon. Friend behind him said the Anti-Corn- of corn would injure the agricultural labourer to a to the 100,0001. fund, and nothing could exceed the
tax. It was originally the intention in Eng-
law League, but they knew not what he meant.-- considerable extent. It must be owned that, in this interest which the working-men had taken in the
land, when the present landstax was imposed
on this principle,
that it should be rated (Cheers.) They were a league to put down the pre- 7e, country, agriculture had not been carried to a very high cause. Twenty thousand copies of the League paper
at four shillings in the pound, or one-fifth of the sent system of the corn-laws.—(Cheers.) He had pitch of improvement. He had lately been through were circulated every week, a very large proportion
whole rental. But the Legislature of landowners, observed that great questions in this country could many of the agricultural counties, both in England and of which were read by die working men.
when they made the last enactment on this subject, only he carried by association. Within the last few Scotland, and, except in some part of the Lothians, The working men had stood by them in
saw that the trade and commerce of the country years many great questions had been carried by cultivation had not - even been carried on with coin- in Durham, Salisbury, and Hastings. They had
were fast increasing. They saw that in the course Of association. The
great question of Catholic Emanci- :non skill. Why, had they travelled by the railways stood by his friend General Briggs when he came
years their rents would be likely to rise, and they pation had been only carried by the Catholic Associa- they would see the land on either side was in many forward in the cause of free trade in the city of
ersuaded the House of Commons and the House of tion of Ireland.—(Cheers.) Many efforts bad been places overgrown . with rushes, which reared their Exeter. They had canvassed for them ; they had
Lords to pass a regulation that the land-tax, made to relieve the Dissenters from the civitdisabi- bristly heads, and seemed to say—" This is agricul- carried about the
reports of their speeches; they, had
for the future, should not be increased. The
lities under which they had laboured, but they had tural protection."—(Hear,.hear.) There was at that made incessant efforts to insure their success. They
whole rental of the country was then ten only- succeeded by associating themselves together to moment, on the stage near him, a gentleman exten- did not intend to make this movement for free trade
obtain this emancipation by every legal means in sively, engaged in agriculture, who told him that a a class movement; they had no wish to organise the
millions, and they persuaded both Houses that the
land- tax should only amount to- two millions per their power, and by the same means the removal of large portion of his land was in hay, and that he o • k•
or mg class separately from any other portion of.
annum; whilst if that enactment were not passed— other grievances had been obtained. They had sue- could cultivate it to his advantage, but a clause in his the community. They had the best of every class,.
if they followed up the plan originally contemplated, needed by these means in obtaining, to a certain lease prevented his doing so ; and there were several from the Marquis of Westminster and the Earl
inasmuch as if the present rental amounted to fifty extent, Parliamentary Reform ; and by the same means others of his class precisely in the same condition. of Radnor, down to the poorest man who made an
millions per annum, they would now be deriving a they might hope to obtain the repeal of those laws This was a species of freedom which the landlord be- honestliving by hishard toil in this country. —(Cheers.)
revenue of eight or ten millions a year from the-land- which pressed so hardly upon the industry of the stowed upon his tenant.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) One Mr Baring
more point, and he would conclude. •
tax. That. was a specimen of class legislation. country. While attacks were being made by the He assured them the agricultural labourers were not said he was a friend of free discussion, and he hoped
not
which on so many, grouuds he considered had done so monopolists upon the principles of the Anti-Corn-law fully employed, nor anything like it.—(Hear.) The it would never be put down ; but he would
much mischief to the best interests of the country.— League, the people were becoming more and more land of this country was not cultivated to the shrink from declaring that he considered the inter-
Lea
If it were not troubling them too much, convinced of the truth of those principles, and by di- extent of which it was capable, nor anything ap- ference of the Anti-Corn-Law Leag,ue at elections,
he would call their attention to another point, some-- recting their attention to those principles, and pro pa- proaching it. Its .cultivation was hampered by the and its expenditure of vast sums of money_ort such
what connected with this subject, and which he had gating their opinions in every legal way, they would corn-laws. He was not going to occupy further occasions, unconstitutional, and fraught with danger
Nothing could be more
felt it his duty to bring forward in another place, that be doing their utmost to benefit and promote the in- - time with that branch of argument. But he would to the franchises of the people.
,IsTot g _
was, the exemption of land in this country from- the terestoof this great country.—(Loud cheers.) advert to another and a singular circumstance. The unconstitutional, said a wri • 'ter in the Exeter Gazette,
test in that city, than the eon-
duty.—(Hear, hear.) They were all aware, The CHAIRMAN then came forward, and announced Society for the Protection of Industry had been of in allusion to the con
probate Corn-law League, and he said the
that, as the law new stood, on the death of any per- that MnM Moore would address the meeting. late very active among the Spitalfields weavers, and duct of the Ant have given some remedy._
son who had personal property-, a large sum, under Mr. R. R. R. Moorto then came forward, and was at the first meeting of that Society, in the Free- Constitution
added,mus_tlesurey
that it was a matter f
the name of probate or legacy duties, woe, receiVed with loud cheering. There was some slight masons' Tavern, a Spitalfields weaver was actually against it; and 1
whichought to h laid before 'l3
e Parhae
taken from the family and children, and paid confusion created at this period of the proceedings by produced to move the first resolution. This unfortu- just complaint,
1,.
t The on y vie ay in which he could understand
into the coffers of the State. That sum the attempts of persons to press forward upon the nate weaver was made to say, that by the withdrawal. men .
that they wished things
amounted annually to two millions ,and a quarter, stage. Order, however, was speedily restored, and •silk in
of the restrictions up. on foreign 1824, the silk these men was by supposing.
i d on in the 1 '
he was to be carried st rit of the olden
and, by a return which had been made to the House Mr. Mooreproceeded. One would think trade had been injured ; and secondly,
• classes were opposed times. He supposed that t e writer in the
of Commons, it appeared that since this tax was im- there could scarcely be a plainer proposi- made to say, that the working e
free trade. Now, that Exeter Gazette and Thomas Baring would petition
in 1797, no less a sum than 66;835,000/. had tion than that we had a right to use as to the movement in favour of
posed, it was scarcely worth Tarliament thus :—" Whereas elections have hitherto
been taken from the pockets of the people, under the much of the world's produce as our labour was so manifestly untrue that .
't. He did not even believe been conducted on • certain known and established
but while this
name of the probate-tax ; enormous sum could get for us in the markets of the world._ while to contradict it_me
Spitalfields weavers. He principles, public-houses being open to all corners, and
was levied on personal property, landed property had (Cheers.) And yet about that simple proposition all it to be true of I
body +s ere opposed to
think that s e., the drink being paid for by the agents of the candi.
gone entirely scot. free. If they took the value of land, tl • oit the
n lieu be n occasioned What they asked could not
us a, a oa ee .
-them. At .the London election they had held meet- dates ; and whereas certain kooor men having votes
of those entl
even on the experience g emen themselves was, that the pple of England should be allowed to
1 S italfields weavers in the very heart have been in the •
habit of receiving certain considers-
who told them that it was the most valuable and carry the products of their' industry into all the mar- ings among tse p
far froM dissenting, not one •
important' interest in the kin dom—
g a proposition kets of the world, and. there obtain the world's price 'italfields. Yet, so
of
Sthat body but seemed to be as cordially in favour tions for them • and whereas, it he been considered
.
of
asthat .there • '
e was no need for a candidate to explain his
which he did not wish to deny—he would ask how for those products ; and thereupon they were accusedthe League themselves. Now, he
of free trade , conduct to his constituents • and whereas certain men
In common fairness and common justice it could of being destructives, revolutionists, violent, untamed,
little into the Hi tort' of the silk trade. • ' .
vould enter a . have come here, having: the audacity to print,
happen that, while one description of property yielded wild sort of people, who had no regard for the rights of IFrom 1635 to 1692 the history of the silk trade publish, and circulate information ; and whereas
a revenue of 66,000,000/. to the exigencies of . the property or for the sacred institutions of the country.
roved that the 'silk trade prospered more at home
the than their meetings are attended by great crowds, ..
State, another description of property should pay (Cheers.) One would have thought, speaking of. _ subsequently, when protection was extended.
rightsand there is not a drunken man to be seen
nothing at all ? It did appear to him excessively un- rights of property, that it was one of those
price In 1637 French' silks, at the request of certain French among them ; and whereas we are so closely watched
just that, while the widow and children of the poor that the producer should have,
'RS t
d the refugees, who established themselves in
this country, that we cannot bribe the people ; for these reasons
mechanic who had saved some 1001. or 1501. in the course of his -labour, as mach of the world s goo s gs
,and commenced silk
were willing to give.— manufacture, were prohibited be we g your Honourable
and Right HonoUrable
of a long and laborious life, were heavily taxed, that the people of the world
d'd t l'k to from importation ; and the •
heir apparent of half-a•million of landed property (Cheers ) , But their opponents i no i eimportation of •
India and China was also
• - -0 simple a manner, prohibited. In 1719 Sir or provide such other convenient remedies as you
should contribute nothing at all to the State.—(Loud taale at this question in . fhoma Loom - •
idea of saying that wages were s and his brother set up in Derby a
may think best against this unconstitutional in-
cheers.) He might multiply those instances from the They did not like the t
t vas interfered with mill for preparing silk to be hey having made privileges of as-
statute-book, with the rights and _
1..11 e
statute-book, for there were many others, but he property, and that tha proporrz
Nobtaining,the most a discovery in It l Previous to that time pirants to seats in Parliament."--(Greioot cheering.)
i g_.)
wished to say this, that in all matters in which these when-men were pre.vented f
i 1 •k tf t' no " thro • ~,, aY.
ld for their wages nt le mai eo ne . win of silk was donein this country. Unconstitutional ! 'What did they do . The only
monopolists hada direct interest, they exclaimed against they cou ,
) The had made a mystery of 'Well, -those gentlemengot a patent from Govern-
.. and theprinting press ;
means Were their tongues . .
free trade, and formed associations against the spread of workl.—(Cheers.
d tl 3'.
called it te t. h d P c ion wen ein, an a high dut was ut uon all " thrown" in diffusing information. Did
its doctrines ; kit in matters in which they had no the peeve an iefy - - - Y P P their money was spent
l• oinof 't ' silkcumin
labour rom ( isp sg . i s prouuce , g . from Italy, and all other places. Theof
Mr. Baring, one of the advocates protection to
direct interest,and o monopoly, they were the very theted
n that the shoud not
• He had recently read the s eech atent • - ' • - •
p p eaptred in fouiteen yeaos ; and the Govern- British industry, mean to say _ y
clean
first persons to take advantage of the principle of free in the best market. .
dIT - •
ebyA r. homes Bai in th ment ef d
g, e r use ~ to renew it, but preferred paying Sir teech the people that the corn-1 aw was a grce,.
trade, and of the commercial and mercantile pros- which had been ma b
IT .
ci
newly elected Mem er for untmg on—(lronical Thomas Loom
.and his brother 14,000/. for the good. and that it injured the working man by pre. .
perity of the country. To-morrow would be the
and 1 hter)—in which th t entl him from . deriving the full fruits
their " throwin mill"
a g eman said, • they had.done this country by g ,
venting
birth-day of her Gracious Majesty, and he would cheers laughter)—in
lof the of his industry ? -(Hear, hear.) He had done
ask them all to mark what would take place speaking of. the repea _ • corn-laws, " that there at 'Derby.
thrown o 1766 the; prohibitory duty re-
at the Drawing-room of St. James7s, when the was no getting over one fact, that a free and unfet- mained on and maeufactured silk ; and, in with the protectionists. But he asked the meeting
with great propriety, toted importation of corn must diminish the employ- fact, they were • not allowed to come into this coun- not to feel disappointed because they had not tri-
ladies of the country,
would wait upon their Sovereign to congratulate her ment of agricultural labour of this, country to a me- try. Our opponents should prove that at this period umphed at Hastings and Exeter. Those did not desire
The Proudest Duchess, they lancholy extent, and although it might diminish the fhe silk trade was most prosperous, but it happened to conquer who would not risk defeat ; neither would
uponher natal day.
would see covered with diamonds. When they price of bread, what mattered it whether the to have been most depressed.—(Hear, hear.) In they:deserve to triumph if they did not first go and
brought these diamonds from foreign countries, they , loaf were a penny or sevenpence, if the 1776 there were 17,072 looms out of employment in 1
teach the people.
Let them tell those who said that they;
did not see that there. 'was any heavy tax on their 1 labourer had. •no money to buy it." He did Loradon. To the silk weavers it was a period of almost had been beaten in Hastings and in Exeter, that they
introduction —(Elear, hear.) Take the ostrich I not know - that, Mr. Thomas Baring had; in unexampled distress. In 1793 there were of Spitz.l-
had marched into the country off lieir enemies and
. - - - •_- - - 6elds wevalrs4,o9o. idle.; anal Yet in 1.77.3, Just twenty_ ,
,-,:,:. -
.. ..
. -