The Sun.
London, England, 1842-08-02 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TITESDAY EVEININGi- AUGUST 2, 1842.

" I would premise, as established facts, that we are pre-- Conference, he was anxious to take the opportunity ofeeldresse
mailientia lavoured by our insular position for commerce, and in;; the Delegates assembled. The gentleman who had spoken
liy our natural resources, arid the character of our people, fot he last but one, seemed to think that the cause had suffered
the economy of manufactures ; that our population cannot non because, in the House of Commons, there seas not a second
be fed by our own agricultural produce, and that importation Hampden. Now he (Mr. Hume) must say, that during his
of food to a considerable extent will therefore be indispensable: sxperience in Parliament for upwards of thirty years, he
that this, in connexion with the wicked sliding-scale, will un- ead never known of and question which had been more fret
failingly keep up the price of food to the famine mark ; thin .luently, more powerfully, or more zealously brought before
the famine price of agricultural produce will prevent our peopli the House of Commons, than that very question of the dis-
from buying clothing ; and that the hazardous nature of the messed satiation of the country, and the evil resulting from
corn trade will prevent the free exchange of our industry for the maintenance of the Corn-laws. The gentleman Wise had
the surplus food of other countries ; that gaunt hunger thenc, node the observation to which he (Mr. Hume) now replied,
arises to our own people, and the nakedness bath of our owe would perhaps find some other cause to account for the want
people, and the people of other countries ; and that the fins of success attending the efforts of the friends of the people in:
issue will be, the loss of our manufactures, as well as the im- Parliament. He would, perhaps, find that the House of
mense capital: now embarked in them, which is rapidly disap- Commons, as at present constituted, was an assembly in which
peering, and the utter ruin of cnr national greatness. the preponderance of political por was possessed by the mo-
As 1 solemnly believe this will be the consequence of our un nopolist party—a party which was supported by the established
wise Legislators, saying, in effect, " You shall buy no corn clergy of the country—(Hear, hear )—a party supported by a
from other countries tilt you give us a famine price for all we erne majority of the Magistracy throughout the country (for
can grow," let us say in return," We will frustrate your wicker' during the Whig Administration but few of the Liberal party
intentions, and use none of your corn so long as we can get a. had been appointed to tue Magistracy)—a party which, though
supply from other countries, until the law permits us freely, in many instances opposed to the measures which their leaders
mut without restraint, to exchange our labour for the food of proposed, yet kept together as one man. He regretted
other countries." that the same unanimity did not prevail among the Opposition
"On this principle of trade, I beg to recommend that the party and the friends of the people. Ile urged the necessity of
Anti-Corn-law League resolve itself into an Anti-Corn-law union among the operatives and their employers, which could
Trading Company. or, at least, that it should originate the for- alone enable them to succeed in their views. He dwelt on the
oration of such a-Company, to carry on by its agents, or other teem that would result from the middle classes uniting at the
connexions, the barter of English cloths, cutlery, stoneware, next general election in sending to Parliament men who would
&c., &c., fir the corn and provisions of other countries, par- advance the cause of the millions. If such had been done at
titularly of America. the last election Sir Robert Peel could not, sm.th his mutes be-
" From all I have read and heard, lam led to conclude that hind him, strangle, as he had done in the preihnt session, the
America alone might supply all our wants, and consume all the measures productive of advantage to the people. He (Sir R.
products of our industry which we could spare. A gentleman Peel) would have been forced to bring forward measures more
of my acquaintance, who has lately made a tour of observation io consonance with the wishes and interests of the people. They
in America, told me only last week, that to his knowledge men must then change the present system. Without doing so
in America.. possessed of large estates, and immense stocks of there was not a ray of hope for the people. He referred, in
grain and cattle, were actually in rags for want of money to buy terms of eulogy. to the great exertions of the Hon. Members
clothes, and because barter was impossible. for Stockport and Wolverhampton (Mr. Cobden and Mr. Vil-
" New, if such a Company were immediately formed, with ders) in the cause of their distressed countrymen, and pointed
agents, or perhaps a corresponding Company in America, fur out benefits to be derived from drawing the attention of the
the purpose of barter, and if all the members of the Anti- people during the recess to the cause of their sufferings, and
Corn-law League, manufacturers and work people, were to the only remedy to be had for them, and expressed his opinion
pledge themselves to use no other grain but such as the Corn- that the working of the Income-tax, with its inquisitorial
pany might import, lam persuaded that, in a few months, all machinery, its Tory Commissioners, its exposures of men's
our starving people would be well fed, and the unemployed affairs, &c., would do much to teach the people what they had
operatives and machinery would be in full activity. The Corn- to expect from a Tory Government. He bad no further advice
pany would pay the '2os. duty for British grain; would soon be to give them, except to urge them to do everything in their
low enough to raise the duty to the highest point) and still be power to effect a union with the working classes.—(Cheers.)
able to provide the best foreign flour at 2s. 61. per stone; They must have the millions acting with the middle classes.—
while, at the same time, British flour might be reduced to, say (Cheers. ) It only rested with themselves to have trade with
20d. per stone, which, if the corn trade were conducted as at all the world. He could not admit that they could never have
present, by speculators under the sliding scale, would cost the any great trade with Europe. They might
yet recover much
community at least an average price of 3s. 4d. per stone. that they had lost, if free trade were not postponed to too remote a
Thus, even those who should wisely pledge themselves to con- periad.—(Cheers. ) He had seen in the American papers a
sumo no British flour, however cheap, would save 10d. per stone, report laid on the table of Congress and the Committee on the
and likewise obtain full employment, while those who were nut tariff in May last. The Committee in that report declared
so pledged would pay Is. Bd. per stone less fur the flour. All that it was the policy and the desire of the United States to
this reduction in the cost of provisions (for it would soon em- enter into commercial regulations with every nation on the
brace all provisions) would be expended on clothing, &c., and basis of equity, recieroeity, and fair competition ; but that the
restore our languishing home trade. So that the benfit of Government of Great Britain, by its system of restrictions and
such a measure would be great, and immediate, and general ; prohibitions, imposed upon the Governmentoloifoyt_heUbeneitees)d
while it would greatly subdue the ruinous and destructive States the necessity of adopting a retaliatory p(c
policy of the monopolists. but to show how desiroes they were to establish equitable corn-
,. Some place their hope of redress only upon agitation, as if mercial relationis with Great Britain, they desired that the
agitation were an ultimate power, arid seem to take some sort President would enter into negotiations with Great Britain for
of pleasure in the existence of distress, upon which agitation the purpose of establishing, if possible, commercial relations
lives. Those inconsiderate persons might on such ground ob- between the two countries on a sound and equitable basis.-a
ject to this measure, but the very fact of the existence of such ( Cheers- ) Ile: hoped the subject would not escape the atten-
an Association, and in the case of those who may be prevailed tion of Lord Ashburton. The nations of the continent of Europe
on to enter it; the sacrifice it would appear to require would were equally desirous of entering into commercial relations
always keep them alive to their grievance, and would admit of with us. Prussia, Germany, and Sweden, had endeavoured to
the grateful agitation conducted by the Anti Corn •law League, do so ; and the reason why these desires had not been complied
until yerfect and unrestricted freedom of trade be established by with was, as Lord Palmerston said, because the landed interest
the laws of Britain. Then would wealth flow in channels would not allow of free trade in timber and corn. The landed
which have been hitherto empty and dry ; and the diffusion of interest, then, was the cause of their present evils. If the re-
wealth thus produced world directly and certainly lead to a peal of the Corn-laws was carried, they would soup have the
more equal distribution of political power. landed gentry themselves clamouring for free trade in every
essw On this account the Universal Suffrage party should act, thing else. Ile had great doubt, unless the question of free
first for the repeal of the restrictive laws, and then their ulti- trade were carried, whether the public faith could be kept—
mate object might he accomplished without the horrors of a ( Hear, hear)—and no event could be more lamentable for
revolution. It is extremely doubtful whether even the best the working classes than any breach of the public faith. He
organised revolutionary efforts could effect in Britain so exten- felt the League had already conferred great benefit on the pub-
sive
a change in the political system as they demand. lie, and he urged them to continue their exertions strenuously
" I implore the Anti-Corn- law League to give my proposi- ducting the recess.—(Loud cheers.)
tion their calm and serious consideration. Whether it is not Mr. VILLIERS, M. P., rose, and was received with loud
the hest ultimate measure that could be adopted, and in what cheering.—He had hitherto abstained from presenting himself
way it could best be carried info effect. lam aware there are to the Conference, because he was unable to forward their object
; by communicating to them any local information, but he could
witb not help taking that occasion to express his opinion that by their
butgr ea t a
perhapsi ff, c u l
everytie other scheme
will and
be success s
to of
htehehos schemee beset
s intine
formation
greater difficulties, and to be less certain of success. assembling in London, as they had done, during the present
.6 The League may depend upon it that the present doini- Conference, they had conferred a great benefit on the country.
nant party in the State will cling to power, and refuse eaten- The public had been, in consequence, more fully apprised of the
sion of the Suffrage, only that they may be able to maintain distressed condition of the country ; they had seen more clearly
the monopolies in which they are directly interested; much how that distress had been produced by bad legislation.—
less will they give up the monopolies for which they hold ( Cheers.) He thought that while the present defective state
power, until they exhaust all the moral and all the physical of the representation continued it would be well to have a Con-
force, which their present position places at their command. ference permanently sitting to watch over the proceedings in
"I am, dear Sir, your obedient servant, Parliament. It had already done good by operating as a check
" ISAAC HOLDING. upon those foolish assertions which were wont to be put forth as
"P. S. A letter from me on the above subject, headed replies to the arguments for repeal.—(Cheers.) They had pre-
' Suggestions for the Consideration of the Anti-Corn-law seated the Corn-laws in their real character before the public—
League,' was inserted in The Sun, of 3d March last.—l. H." they had deprived those laws of all moral support.—(Cheers. )
A DELEGATE ( Camberwell) said he had heard the re- The Corn-laws were now only supported by a nume-
marks just read with much pleasure, hut it would take up a steal majority in the House, and an interested and intimi-
considerable time in bringing into a working state. He was dated constituency out of doors.—(Loud cheers.) The great
sorry to hear that they were near the close of the Conference, hope of the opponents of the repeal was that the working I
as tar as the metropolis was concerned, and he should make a classes did not sympathise with the League. He (Mr. Villiers)
proposition on the subject to the Committee. There was was by no means disposed to admit that such was the case, for
nothing like the present body sitting in Londcn, and he wished he could not admit that those disturbances of the public meet-
to make some some provision for continuing the work after ings which had taken place were spontaneous manifestations of
the Conference should break up. He should propose that a the opinions of the working classes.—( Loud cheers.) But ,
society be formed in London, to be called the National even if it were, that was no more an argument against the ,
Society, to do every thing it could for the good of the country repeal of the Corn-law than the fact that on some occasions the I
and to be permanent in its sittings. slaves had committed outrages against those who were doing
The CHAIRMAN did not think this was a proposition that their utmost to emancipate them, could be considered as an ar-
could be made to the present meeting, but if he would take it gement against the abolition of slavery.—( Cheers.) He believed
on himself to work it out, they would lend it every assistance that those who had been guilty of these interruptions were the 1
in their power. -sictims of interest and corruption—(Cheers)—and he thought 1
Mr. BRIGHT then addressed the meeting. He said he felt too highly of the working classes to believe that at a body they
called on to make a few observations on the state in which they were not fully aware of the importance to their own interests
found themselves. Some persons appeared inclined to ask of a repeal of the Corn-laws,—(Cheers.) He had once argued
what the Conference had done during its session. One thing the question with one who was no warm friend of the people,
it bad done most decidedly—it had put the Government and and who had said to him (Mr. Villiers) "I do not dispute
the Monopolists more clearly in the wrong than they were be- your argument, but a free trade in corn would he like the 1
fore the Conference assembled. He had formed part of sees- addition of so much more fertile land to the country, and we
sal deputations to the Executive Government, and for himself, should have the working classes as impudent and independent
had they not brought it on themselves lie should feel corn- as they are its America."—(Cheers.) He believed it would
miseration for every man in the position of a statesman, render them independent, and that would be the first step
who, before any number of his fellow-countrymen, was forced towards gaining their political rights, and therefore, as a
to argue in the same manner, and support the same cause as friend to the enfranchisement of the people, he was
they had done at the meetings with the deputations. As for Sir still more' zealous fei a repeal of the Corn-laws.—
R. Peel, they believed he held precisely the same opinions as (Loud Cheers.) The supporters of the laws depended
the deputation; it was impossible for any man with his know- on the ignorance and corruption of the people, but they would
ledge of the state of the country, of business masters, and the signally fail. They dare not stop the Press, they dare not stop
principles of political economy, not to be acquainted with the the public expression of opinion ; the people were becoming
real operation of the Corn-laws ;he must find his position ex- educated, and they could not be blinded to the fact that it was
tremely difficult with regard to his argument. It wee not to be for their interest that these laws should be repealed.—( Cheers. )
wondered at that he stated in the House of Commons his dis- He believed it was only because the Government calculated on
satisfaction with the general impression conveyed by the reports the disunion and ignorance of the people that they disregarded
of those interviews, though he could not point to any one fact , evidence presented to them as to the condition of the country.
actually misrepresented: The general impression they con- —Cheers.) Henceforth the League would be spared sonic
veyed was certainly that the Ministers had cut a trouble, for many of the fallacies by which the Corn-law had
very mwavourable 'figure. Sir James Graham said been supported had been completely exploded. They could no
something of the sable kind, but the only fact that had come longer delude the labouring population with the idea that these
out was, that he himself was guilty of the only mis-statement laws improved their condition. They could not cheat the
then made. When he said that Mr. Fielden had stated the capitalist and the manu acturer into the belief that markets
amount of labour thrown out of employ by machinery to be 35 could be made by Act of Parliament.—(Cheers.) Their efforts
per cent., during the last three or four years, the Deputation, might now be usefully directed in their respective localities
whether Mr. Fielden said so or not, did not believe it. to show the connection between increased taxation and in-
With respect to the Press, some portion of the London papers creased poor-rates, anti these laws. The Income-tax had been
had done immense service to the cause, and he trusted, before rendered necessary solely through the existence of these re-
the Conference separated, they would mark their grateful sense strictive laws. Mr. Iluskisson, in the last speech he ever made
of that service. There was one journal, however, the Times, in Parliament, had predicted that if the Corn-laws and the
which, though favourable to the repeal of the Corn-laws, had other laws restricting commerce, were suffered to remain Imre-
omitted doing that good to the cause which its influence enabled pealed, there would be a falling off in the revenue, and the only
it to do. He could not sit down without adverting to the infa- resource they would have to fail back uhon would be the impo-
tuation of some manufacturers, who, though from the depressed sition of an Income-tax.—(Cheers.) Every Chancellor of the
state of commerce they were going fast to the Gazette, still Exchequer admitted that the revenue was greatly increased by
sent communications to the Government, stating that the an abundant harvest, and seriously diminished by a bad one.
present distress arose from a temporary stagnation in trade, Now if they would open the ports they would have constant
which would be remedied by a good harvest ; and this they did good harvests—( Cheers)—for they could
always command
merely because the party to which they beloneed advocated the abundance of food.—(Cheers.) Then there was the sugar mo-
commercial policy which was proving so ruinous to their in- nopoly. By the laws prohibiting the importation of foreign sugar,
terests. After a few further observations, Mr. Bright read the revenue lost three millions a year, just the amount of the
the following address ; Income-tax.—(Cheers.) Then, with regard to local taxation,
" THE CONFERENCE OF THE NATIONAL ANTI-CORN-LAW pauperisna increased, and rates increased, as the price of food
LEAGUE TO TUE PEOPLE OE THE UNITED EINGDOM• got higher, and were reduced as the price of food became re-
.. We are about to separate; we would address you upon the duced. Let them, when they heard men complain of the pres-
position- of our cause. In February last, we assembled in this sure of Income-tax and the poor-rates, point to these laws as the
metropolis, to urge upon the Government and the Legislature cause, and let them discover in the different constituencies those
the necessity of repealing the Corn-law. The band of mono- who had voted for monopolists at the last election, and hold
polists who have usurped the Legislative power, disregarded our them responsible for the imposition of this tax.—(Cheers.)
remonstrances, and laughed at our warniugs. They triumphed Let them endeavour to find out who really wished to support
for a brief season, and again sanctioned the miseries of famine these laws. Sir R. Peel and the Vice-President of the Baofr.eard
by statute. We were baffled for a moment, but were not of Trade had, inthe House of Commons, put forth as g
cast down. From that time the prospects of our country have trade principles in their speeches as any member of the League
become more gloomy—commerce and manufactures have could have stone, but they, it was said, could not repeal the
in favour of that law. Many members of that majo-
declined—wages have fallen—food has continued scarce and Corn-laws, because there was a Parliamentary majority
dear, and agricultural and manufacturing operatives have felt
rite it was said, would be glad to see the law repealed, but the
the hand of affliction heavier and heavier. s ,
favour. Now they were told by
a middle classquestion.
from the heart of the empire the impolicy and the wickedness others, that this was exclusively . He
" Again we have assembled—again we have proclaimed constituencies were in its
of the Corn-law. We have sought and obtained interviews should like much to discover who really was in favour of
with the Members of the Executive Government, and have continuing these laws.—(Loud cheers.) He urged the
addressed them with a freedom which the consciousness that League to continue their exertions, and assured them that the
we were the expression of the public voice on a question which more they were villified and sneered at, the more certain they
affects the safety of our country authorised and enabled us to might be that they were rendering essential service to the
do. We have forced upon the attention of Parliament, by re- cause of free trade.—(Cheers.)
peated discussions, the unwelcome subject of the national dis- Mr. COBDEN M.P., rose, arid was most enthusiastically
tress and its remedy. We have sent, through the public Press, greeted. The Hon. Gentleman said they were going to sepa-
to the remotest corners of the country, facts and arguments rate, not to dissolve.—( Cheers. ) They were only going to
which will become the seed of the great principle of industrial shift their encampment like a Mahratta tribe, to return
freedom. again, when least expected. Thoy had been invited to adopt
"We know that our labours have not been in vain. Public another course, but he did not see how they could do so
sentiment is running strongly, irresistibly in our favour—the without dissolving the League.—( Cries of " No, no.") 'they
monopolists in Parliament are mute, conscious that the foul could not, as an Anti-Corn-law League, enter upon any other
injustice they vote for cannot be defended; the Premier him- question whatever.—( Cheers. ) It would be dishonourable in
self having completed the demolition of the fallacies upon t hem to connect them elves with any other agitation. —( Cheers. )
The funds for their support had been contributed by persons
meat which
itshleayslti have accustomedoeubreoepnpooeotsrely. The
oT he
morosetirne
afoodr ergo-o b s
ti
of almost. every shade of political opinion.—( Cheers.) A great
nate silence. The question is now narrowed to one of might deal had been contributed by the fair sex—(Cheers)— 7,000/.
seek t o
safety
against right. We have fought the good fight thus far, and we had been sent by the Manchester ladies as-the produce of their
—and lie w
shall fight it out. The hope which animated us four years ago, late bazaar—(Loud cheers)—and happy to say that
in the bank.—(Loud cheers.
is still present with us. It burns brighter— it points to an early the greater part of it was still
knew wee
cheers.)
The best Corn-law repeaters he knew were the la lies
victory. Under these circumstances
" But the present is a time of awful importance. We know of Manchester,
.the Le Isle
if u with an ' a
that the springs of national wealth and power are rapidly drying could not honourably mix itself up
Lea) other agitation.
up, and that the disease which i's now preying upon the resources The only way would be to dissolve the ene--(" No, no.")
for the
of our country may soon get beyond the reach of remedy. We Now was there any other agitation
meth. purpose of attaining
would not conceal from you the imminency of the perils which all the objects of the League and
something
as to
so ripe, and
d us ; they menace the existence of the country ;we with such a bulk of people itsat._
rn
praysurroun
We would say to you, look to your doctors of it to say to the Anti-Co League " Get out of our
they may be averted.
hinderingus from accomplishing our object ?" He
majorityof them have basely sold you. way, you are
representatives ; the .
.uch —(Cheers, and c •
visit your boronghs and coon- thought there was none s • cries of "No
Give them no rest. When thest. radical man
famine must be put an end to, that No !" " Yes ! yes !") Now, as a p ,he was aceus-
ties, tell them the law.•made- .
le wanted to know who 1 •
ed. Let deputations wait upon touted to take stock. and l ere tat aorta-
the millions must be f
be f d (Cheers ) It was intimated that they
resolutionnot -
}our firm Won was to found.—( . rat
them, that they may know s(Cheers.) If lily that
ever. To tape constituencies
join Ch • t
should the artes s.— were meant
to be trampled iii the dust for
,s which acknowledged F (2,,
d such men to Parliament, we would say, the section of the Chartist eargus Con-
who have presenteLeague had not
by urging upon your nor as their leader, the any more inveterate
Make instant at onemeat for hour error,
them,the tr (Cheers.) The
Members the difficulties wham surround you. Tell
an organ of the
O'Connor Chartists never omitted opportueity of de.
people must live even though party perish.'
for the evils no i g all attempts at a repeal of the Corn. laws.
Fellow-Countrymen,—We are not responsible unc n [t never
of the present, Fen' for the calamities which may be in store.aristocracy attacked the lt always attacked what it called
We have warned the Government; we have instructed the O'Connell, Hume, Villiers,i
Cobden, and Company.—(A
rr, law ''
people; we depend upon your intelligence, aed upon the fears laugh.) It called the A t -
(Cheers.) Leaguethe plague. It
of the Monopolists. We know how dangerous is the crisis It would not do to join them.— Then Mr. Sturge
He had ascert •
through, which we are passing, and we cannot conceal from had asked them to join him.
this ascertained that of the
ourselves and from you, that there are breakers a-head, and members of the League attending s Conference nine out of
that there is no firm and honest-hearted pilot at the helm. ten were in favour of Mr. Sturge'
hi could movementio ; but still, as a
Your own intelligence, your own virtue, your own energy must body, they felt that in honour
1 eystroneer t
than
it. Was there
deliver you. The truth we have espoused is inextinguishable. any party holding those o}'inint initi at t the League?
and error and selfishness and lust of power must speedily fall No.—( Cheers.) They would not g a the hostility of the
before it. aristocracy or tile • Tories by joining agitation for an Extension
for Coin-la
e• We now separate. We return to the country to labour in. of the Suffrage to the agitation
___
ia.s
who there
repeal ; and they
cessantly for the accomplishment of the great object of the might lose the support of some Whigs
there in favour of a
(Cheers
League—the total and immediate repeal of the Corn-law, and total and immediate repeal...7%e
object
h When they saw a
we are prepared to re-assemble at such time and place as the party strong enough to carry tho
itselfj y moral force, then
Council in Manchester may determine. Hitherto we have en- perh ups the League might dissolve and join such a party.
deavoured to merit the confidence of our fellow-citizens, and (Cheers.) They had been - taunted with being monopolists
we trust we shall not be found unequal to any emergency which themselves because the people had not the suffrage. He wished
power of giving the suffrage.—(Loud
(L i d
,e.— o e
may arise. the League had the .
'the *
"Providence has given plenty; a few• men of wealth and cheers. )- It had not--it had not even power to give them
title have opposed their mandate to the will of Hettitell, 'Shalltrying Lard to do Si);bread, although it was • , and he did not
mortal man he more just than God ? ' think they would fight , . _
the battle of the suffrage one whit the
6' Palace-yard, August 1, 1842." worse for having (Ch eis•) T
fqll bellies.. . F,. • 4 hey must get a
The reading of this address was received with marked appro. pu , tc o
general and united expression of ut pinion against these
bation by the meeting, and on Mr. Bright's moving that it be i laws, and then they must fall, The agricultural labourers had
adopted by the
Conference, and circulated throughout the an opinion that they were benefited by these laws; Low they must
United Kingdom, prove to them that the Corn-laws pauperised the peopleby depriv.
Mr. H U ME, M. P. rose. He said that understanding that the ing them of employment in the towns; but all these things could
present was to be the last, or nearly the last, meeting of the not be done at once, The repeal could not be carried by a

coup de main. No turbulence could benefit the eause.—

(Cheers. ) No beneficial measure hod ever yet been carried
by turbulence. Never, Illysically speaking, were the great
body of the people so powerless as at the present moment.
Two regiments of Life Gu7,rds and two of Infantry, with their
shrapneil, shells, imd rockets, and other infernal instruments of
destruction, would put down any attempt of that sort, and the
larger the 'minter of an unorganised multitude was that was
opposed to disciplined troops, the more fearful was the destruc-
tion effected among them. They must rely solely on mural
means, and as long as they did so they were omnipotent.—
(Laud cheers.) The question after all was with the electoral
body, and the distress would soon reach them, and make them
think. Before another year distress would have reached the
metropolis,. and when the Londoners had undergone the
same discipline as the people had in the North they would be as
ardent repeaters.—( Cheers.) He l.ad been told they ought to
stop the suppli,s. Now it was only a majority of the House
of Commons that could do so ; and to make any efforts effec-
tual in the House the stoppage must begin out of doors
(Cheers.) When the time should come, he should be pre-
pared to make sacrifices to procure the repeal of those laws,
but he protested against any small martyrdom. Such an exhi-
bition would only render a great cause ridiculous--(Cheers- )
There must be a united demonstration, and there would be no

necessity for anything else, fur the laws would then fall with-
out trouble.—( Cheers.) He trusted that next session, night
after night, and week after week, Corn-law debates would be
raised, until the Government, like the unjust judge in Scrip-
ture, would repeal the Corn-laws to get rid of their importu-
nity.—( Loud cheers. ) Ile believed that many of the sup-
porters of that law began to think they were paying too dear
for bringing upon themselves the odium and execration of
Europe and America, arid would be glad to give it up.—
( Cheers. ) If they could get the Parliament to sit for one ses-
s:on in :Manchester he would engage they would have a repeal
of the Corn -laws ; and half-a-dozen towns in England felt on
this subject as strongly as Manchester did, the Corn-laws
would not exist another fortnight.—( ucl cheers.)
11Jr. O'CossEr.t., M.P., then rose, and was received with
shouts of applause, which lasted some minutes. I come here
(said the Right lion. Gentleman) to perform a simple duty_
that of returning thanks to the Anti-Corn-law League for
having continued thus ably their efforts in support of that
noble cause in which we are all engaged.—(Loud cheers.) I
feel deeply grateful to them for what they have done, and in
the name of that part of the empire of which I am more par-
ticularly the representative, I return them thanks for the
manly efforts they have made to get rid of a terrific nuisance.
—(lmmense cheering.) They say that political gratitude is a
lively sense of future favours.—(A laugh.) I feel doubly grate-
ful to them, not so much on account of what they have done,
as for what they will achieve.—( Loud cheers.) If it be wrong
to tax food for the purposes of revenue, what must be the enor-
mity of that guilt which taxes it for the benefit, not of the
nation, but of one particular class of the community ?
It any man were to come to your table, and say by word of
mouth, " You shan't eat that meat for which you have paid till
you give me a share of it," I Ihtlieve—l know what your att-
. ,wer would be ; it would rather come from your foot than your
hand.—(Cheers and laughter.) But that's what the aristo-
cracy do ; only as they make more words about it, and sur-
round it with more mysteries, the original iniquity is forgotten,
and the injury remains. It has always been said that John
Bull is an animal of good common sense, and it was illustrated
in this way ; the Frenchman boasted that the French were
great in all the arts : " For example," said they," we invented
rufiles-2Ce what tine things lace ruffles are." " Aye, aye,"

sa37s7John Bull, " but I addred the shirt to them."—(bbejr;)
That was the common sense of John Bull. But John

judgment is now at fault, and instead of deserving the admira-
tion of the world for his good seme, he ought to be the con-
tempt of the world for enduring this monopoly, which makes
bread dear, and maintains a class legislation. The question is
how to achieve the great measure we have in view ; for I be-
lieve no one intends giving up his exertions. It may assist you
to overcome these difficulties that you take new allies,
but every one must be convinced of the iniquity of the Corn-
laws, and feel it to be his conscientious duty to persevere for
their repeal ; by perseverance alone every greet object is to be
obtained.—( Cheers. ) I heard with respect my respected
friend who spoke last, express his opinion with regard to mixing
up other things with the Anti-Corr.-law Conference. I hear
that you have got money for the purposes of this Conference,
and 1 admire the pecuniary honesty which tells you to apply
that money to the purpose alone for which it was given you.
Honesty is always the best policy—(Cheers)--and you are
bound in honesty at least to consult the donors before you take
another step.—(hear, hear.) It is not my own individual
opinion that you do right in separating the Anti-Corn-law agi-
tation from the agitation for the extension of the franchise. In
conjunction with others I took the liberty of submitting a pro-
positiol to you for the combination of both. You have decided
it adversely to the views I entertained on thu subject; but I
don't repud.ate your judgment because it differs from mine ; oo
the contrary, I believe yours is the better; and however I may
be attached to my own opinion, as is natural, I give you the

such a Parliament as this, and there is your present Parliament
and its history. Is•this to be endured? I want to know who
ever saw a man who declared that he was unfit to have a vote.
I would go 20 miles to see him.—( Cheers.) I never met a
man who said that of himself, but I have met plenty of mis-
creants who said it for others.---( Cheers. ) We have plenty of
them in our house—the majority of our House have said it.
The unstained ermine of the Bench proclaims every time a
criminal is about to be punished, " You cannot complain of
your punishment. because recollect you are yourself a party to
making the law." The Judge who says that, would, on no ac-
count, be guilty of any jest or party ribaldry, yet what can be
greater jest than the assertion that the people of this country
had a share in making the laws? That which the Judges pro-
claim, shows that every Englishman untainted.by crime, and not
incompetent by fatuity, has an equal right to his privilege, as
the Duke or the King to their prerogatives ' • and it is a shame
and eternal disgrace to those who sit tranquil when their rights
are irfringed on.—( Hear, hear.) I can only tell you this,
that there is another portion of the empire who will aid you in
your struggle.—(Cheers.) The morning papers contain an
expression of Lord Cloncurry's (the most popular nobleman in
the country) opinion of the Corn-laws to the effect that
they Seer? a blind and abominable injustice.—(Cheers.) I only
mentioned that to show that, from the highest proprietors down

to the population idle from want of employment, a strong opi-
nion is entertained against this abominable iniquity.—( Cheers. )
Though the Income-tax has not reached us, because of our
poverty, I will tell you that you can take no fixed purpose of
asserting your political privileges, but you will find us ready to
assist you heart and hand.—( Hear.) But it will be idle to
expect success unless you convince the aristocracy that you are
determined to insist upon an extension of the suffrage ; that is
a step you ought to take independently of this League, and you
ought each to commence that agitation, for without it, you can-
not be ultimately successful. I came here to cheer you
on ; to tell you that you have scared and frightened
your enemies already; that those who pretended not to fear the
dangots of the coming winter have began to take precautions.
You will hear of a flight in October to places which are consi-
dered more secure, for they cannot contemplate the approach of
winter without apprehension.—(Cheers.) I agree with my
Hon. Friend, that the greatest political advantages can be
gained without violence and force. If the country has lost its
energy, if it has fallen into caducity and decay, I cannot hope
for a good result ; but I trust that it is not so, for I see in the
exer:ions of this Conference a revival of the energies of our

population, and I think we may hope for better times.—
( Cheers.) You have a time before you ; don't part as if you
were going, like children, to play, but separate like men going
to exert yourselves for the good of your country. It is the
middle, backed by the working-classes, that have always
achieved the greatest political advantages. The middle class
must hold out the right hand of fellowship to the opera-
tives; they must not say, " assist me that I may vote," but,
`• assist me that we may both vote."—(Cheers.) That is the plan.
I have seen it successful elsewhere, and I hope to see it sue-
cessful here. I return you my best thanks for what you have
done ; I conjure you to arise for your country ; take care that
your country has justice and fair play.; and when she has jus-
tice and fair play, she will be ready to meet the world in arms
and arts.—( The Hight lion. and Learned Gentleman sat down
amid most enthusiastic cheers. ) . . . .

Mr. ItAwsoN proposed the following resolution without
comment :—" That this Conference begs most gratefully to
acknowledge the services of those Members of both Houses of
the Legislature, who have with such patriotic determination
advocated the total and immediate repeal of the Corn-laws, and
especially tenders its warmest thanks to the llon. C. P. Villiers,
for his unflinching and able advocacy of this cause in the house
of Commons."

Mr. G. THOMPSON, in seconding the resolution, observed,
with regard to the proposal for joining with any other body,
that their course was plain ; justice to those who had supplied
the funds ; wisdom suggesting that they should keep in their
ranks men of various opinions; prudence suggesting that they
should not allow those to leave them who, though on moral
and religious grounds, they were anxious for the repeal of the
Corn-laws, did not see that in this question was to be found the
gem of that great politicaKreformation for which they struggled.
'The minister in his gospel, the deacon in his vestry, the Sab•
bath-school teacher in his form, and often the honest Tory—
these were reasons for confining the operations of the League to
its orig.nal object. If they desired to take the back-bone out
of the oligarchical monster who now trampled them in the
dust—if they desired to break down a haughty aristocracy,
they must deprive them of the power of making their broad
acres of insensate earth the means of tyrannizing over the
people of this country.—( Loud cheers.) He was proud to
second this motion. Mr. Villiers was a pattern to his class. His
was not the aristocracy which derived its lustre from birth alone ;
his was the aristocracy of virtue and intellect, which cast
around him a halo infinitely lighter than that which attended
Lords and Dukes, who were aristocrats by birth, and became
so without their own consent ; his was the aristocracy of vir-
tue and mind ; that was the aristoerocy for hint (Mr. 'Thomp-
son) ; and let the aristocracy of pedigree, and the aristocracy
of birth, and the aristocracy of wealth perish for ever from the
face of this country.—( Loud and continued cheers.)
The resolution was put, and carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN then put the Address of the Conference to
the meeting, which was adopted unanimously.
Col. THOMPSON rose to propose the next resolution. He
would not have come in at the time he (lid if he had known
that he should have caused such an interruption.—( The Gal-
lant Colonel entered when Mr. O'Connell was speak-
' ing.) Be came in consequence of the loop-holes by
which he viewed the proceedings in the great world
from a report which stated that the trade of Manchester
was improving. Now he did not know whether that was true
or not, but he would ask them, supposing it true to the utmost
extent, what the value and worth of such a circumstance
was? Suppose he had his pocket-handkerchief in his pocket.
but on coming; up last week he lost two or three, was that
any evidence that he was as well off as before? When a man
I was suffering from distress, or suffering with a rope round his
neck, and a doctor was called in, what would they say to that
doctor, if he said "Don't take the rope away, he is getting
better, and will come round himself?"—( Laughter.) Well,
what they were told about the improvement in trade was quite
as bad. Because trade was a little better than it was three
months ago, was that an argument against repeal? Ile thought
he had come there rather slightly charged, but he bad heard
the word made use of in that assembly, and that word was in-
demnification. Why should they not ask for indemnification ?
Their case was harder than his (Col. T.'s), and his was hard.
He had never been engaged in commerce. He had no claim to
Ii be called an industrious man. lie inherited the proceeds of
• I successful commerce, and he believed that half that was taken

.
benefit. of the wisdom which originated your decision, more es-
pecially as,l believe you have rather postponed than rejected
what I proposed—(Cheers)—it is merely a question of clock.
—( Cheers. ) The time may come when it will be actually
necessary for you to take your stand by that—
( Loud cheers.) I hope to read in the newspapers of
your forming associations everywhere; never do I like to read
of your attempting to disturb other meetings, or that you pre-
vent the expression of the free mind of Englishmen ; I am sure
you will set the example of fair play to everyone; and as the
Government is menacing every public meeting by turning their
constables looze upon them, I do hope that you will never en-
courage that bad Government by first disturbing any meeting
Dot exactly in accordance with your own sentiments, and then
complaining that your own meetings are not allowed to take
place. I can't conceive worse policy than that, and if a bad
example be set by others, do you set a good one to them
(Cheers. ) Let us look now at the history of this session, and
see if we can comprehend our present position. You have, re-
collect, aParliament of elms legislators, a Landlord Parliament,
and a Parliament of those who, if not immediately landlords,
represent their own money, which they iniquitously and
wickedly give out to obtain a seat. And when I heard my
:Von. Friend tell you to appeal to the constituencies, I thought
it was like the play of Hamlet, with that character omitted ;
for though you shall speak to the constituencies, and may
convince them that they ought to vote for John or Thomas,
doors comes the giver of gifts with 6,0001. or his 12,000/. and
away go the less powerful arguments before the golden bribe.
No man can deny that briber• did not exist in nine-tenths of
the co.itested Look at Nottingham and Harwich. There
wan't. a town in fact where bribery did not prevail at the last
election, and where the longest purse did not carry the day.
The extent to which bribery was carried is so notorious that
Illy Hon. Friends have only to affirm it on one side of the
House to have it echoed by Peel and Stanley on the other.

Some one has gone so far as to call the House of Commons
a gang of bribers—what becomes then of public opinion in
your narrow constituencies? Public opinion ceases to operate
on those who are depraved enough to take bribes, and though
large bribes have been given of -Wl., 501., and 1001. at a time,
yet there are found wretches who, when they can't get 1001.
will take 305., or if they can't get that will take an attorney's
fee, 6s. Sd. —( Cheers and laughter, and a Voice, " flow will
you remedy it?") Do you ask me for my remedy? My
remedy is that every Englishman should have a vote, and
should be protected by the ballot.—( Loud cheers.) lam one
of the Sturgite Chartists, and I am an opponent of the
Feargusite Chartists, because the Sturgites allow to others the
liberty they want themselves, and that's what the Feargusites
won't do.--( Cheers.) It's a maxim in politics, as well as in
religion, that he who would not do to others as he would wish
others to do unto him, can be neither a friend to liberty
nor a Christian. Don't let any one say to me that
the Feargusites cannot be reasoned with ; I say that
they are open to reason, and you should endeavour to
convince them that your object and theirs are one. Tell
them that the Anti-Corn-law Conference is the advanced
guard in the cause of liberty ; that it wants to strike down that
odious monster, monopoly ; that it wants to do away with class
kgislation ; and then let the Anti-Corn-law Conference suc-
ceed, and you'll have extended suffrage six weeks afterwards.
—( Hear, hear.) And though, as a body, the Anti-Corn-law
Conference cannot take up this question, and may feel a deli-
cacy and qualms of conscience on the matter, yet there can be
no delicacy and no qualm to prevent every individual member
from working for the suffrage. —(Cheers. ) You've no chance
of carrying your vanguard if you have not a good firm battalion
coining after to join and to assist you. You have the two now,
and they will work well together.—(Cheers.) The Feargusite
is mad who says he won't have cheap bread, and the Anti-Corn-
law man is not wise who says he will not oppose class legisla-
tion.--(Cheers.) Thus, then, we may understand each
other, and we shall go on far better for the co-operation,
full co-operation, to the extent of the six points. That full
co-operation is essentially necessary to your success.—( Cheers. )
Just let us look what a " class Parliament " has been doing.—
(" Ugh.") lam glad W hear that sound ; I like it ; I wish
to convey to him that emitted it, that it gives an honest sound.
—(Cheers.) What has this Parliament done? It is like its

own sliding, slippery scale—sliding from every thing honest—
slippery enough. Their new scale produces no beneficial re-

from him was in consequence of the Corn-laws. He was a
loiter as a landlord.—(Cheers.) He had five children —where
could he place one to make 100/. or 200/.? The earth had
been stopped, and there was no place for his young foxe3.—
(Cheers and laughter.) If ho felt that, how much must they
(the delegates) feel it every day, and every hour? The land-
lords said they had clay ;lands, and they must have money to
cultivate them. How ridiculous would it be for the manufac-
turers to say, " We have a lot of old spinning-jennies, and we
want to work them ; you must givens money."—(Cheers.) One
point he would mention, and that was, they had made the
Minister believe that there was distress ; and he (Col. Thomp-
son) was much mistaken if, during the coming winter,
rougher faces would not double that conviction upon him.
'hen they (the Conference) came again, and come
they must (Hear, hear, and cheers) another point
that they would have to convince the Minister of
was, that the Corn-laws were the cause of that distress, as
he had not found that out yet. Therefore, when they visited
him again, they must be prepared with their reasons, and
have counsellers ready primed with powerful arguments, to
show that these prohibitions starved somebody—every body
except those who, like himself and fellows, had some means
of living through the existence of evil. He (Col. Thompson)
had said' his say, and he would read the resolution which had
been put into his hands, which followed in the same track as
the last resolution, as it conveyed the thanks of the Conference
to an individual high in station and fortune, and one who took
his stank upon justice and upon right :
" That this Conference would beg respectfully to tender to
the Right lion. the Earl of Radnor the expression of their
sense of tee obligation which his country owes him for his
firmness in again pressing the claims of industry and corn-
merce upon a reluctant and hostile Parliament, and of their
cordial sympathy with the views which have prompted him to
move the second reading of his Bill for the repeal of the Corn-
laws in the House of Lords on Thursday next."
Mr. EDWARDS, of Lambeth, briefly seconded the resolution,
which was carried unanimously.
Mr. Xsl4 DOW N rose to propose the next resolution :--
"Resolved, That the cordial thanks of this Conference be
given to Colonel Thompson for his able and earnest efforts in
the Anti-Corn-law agitation, in which he was the pioneer ;
and the Conference expresses its hopes of seeing him again in
the House of Commons, contending there against the in-
fatuated landlord majority."—(l.oud cheers.)
Mr. LEWIS seconded the motion without comment.
The resolution was than put and carried with three cheers,
the meeting standing.
Colonel THOMPSON in a few words returned thanks. He
said he had now received the reward of all his labours, and he
sincerely thanked them in return.
Mr. RICARDO then, without observation, proposed the fol-
lowing resolution, which being seconded by Mr. WILLIAMS,
was carried unanimously :--
" That this Conference cannot separate without stating their
earnest conviction that the success which will accompany their
future exertion must chiefly depend upon the generous support
which they have received from the conductors of the public
Press ; and the sincere acknowledgments of this Conference
are hereby given to the editors of those London and provincial
newspapers whose exertions and co-operation have already
afforded to the cause of repeal so much valuable assistance."
Mr. GEORGE DA NI ELS proposed the follow ing resolution :
" That this Conference anticipates an early call for renewed
exertions, and they would emphatically renew the expression of
their confidence in the wisdom and discretion of the Executive
Council of the National Anti-Corn-law League, and their hope
that they will again call the Deputies together whenever circum-
stances appear to render that step desirable."
This resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. WHITEHEAD then proposed the following
That the punctuality, amenity, discretion, and dignity,
with which the President of this Conference has discharged his
arduous duties, have essentially contributed to the efficiency
and good order of its proceedings, and that the best thanks of
the conference be given to P. A. Taylor, Esq., for his conduct in
the chair, which has redounded to the credit, and done honour to
the choice of the body which elected him to preside over its de-
liberations."
The resolution was received with great cheering, and the
meeting standing.
The Rev. Mr. SQUIRE, in seconding the resolution, said
that the Chairman had displayed suariter in mode, frrtiter in re.
The CHAIRMAN then rose, and was received with loud
cheers. He spoke as follows :—Gentlemen, I feel most deeply
indebted to you for the very kind and handsome way in which
you have ben pleased to express your approbation of my ser-
vices as your chairman. I can assure you that to me it was a
labour of love.—(Cheers.) So deeply am I interested in this
question, and so satisfied am I that the prosperity, the happi-
ness, and the very existence of millions depend upon these abo-
minable laws being repealed, that. I sat here pleased to be in
any way instrumental in contributing, as far as my power would
permit, my endeavours to put them down ; and if 1 live (which
I believe I shall) fur the time to arrive when we shall see the
accomplishment of this great work, 1 shall feel satisfied that in
my sphere I could have in no way rendered myself more ser-
viceable to my country, or have conferred a greater advantage
on my children, than by taking the part—the humble part—l
have taken in this contest. 1 return you my sincere thanks.—
(Cheers.) This Conference is now dissolved.

sults, it is a topic to talk on in the House, and to obtain
party cheers for the Minister. I wish you had heard one of
their yells when they heard him dole out this precious scheme ;
but they do not love him a bit too much.—( Cheers. ) This,
then, is the first step of the new Government, which autho-
rises robbery on the poor, combined with an attempt at de-
cision. It is mockery and insult, added to robbery and injus-
tice ; that's your sliding-scale Corn -law.--( Cheers.) fhe
second step was the tariff, announcing good principles, forcing
the enemy to be convicted out of his own lips, to take up our
arguments on which to support his measures ; making him
stand convicted before the English people, of knowing the
good things, but refusing to do them—of knowing
what was right, and refusing to practise it.—( Cheers. )
They convinces! you that they knew what was right, and
for base and sordid interests practised what was wrong. But
what goad has the tariff done? By its left hand free trade,
lame and limping, one leg after the other—(Laughter)—it
has done positively injury to particular trades ; it has aug-
mented the number of unemployed ; it has given fashionable
people cheap shoes and boots, whilst it has turned the poor
shoemaker into the workhouse. Never has a more insulting
measure gene through any Parliament.—(Cheers.
now come to the third great measure. The Whigs, having
die too much—having abolishes! too many taxes—the only
good thing I ever knew them to do—having reduced the rate
of postage, thus enabling the poor man to correspond on the
same terms with the Duke, Peel must have a remedy to this
great iniquity, and he brought it forth in the shape of an In-
come-tax. Look at the gross injustice of this measure, taxing
a clerk's income as if it were real property—taxing the attor-
ney's clerk of 1501. a-year, who is liable, if he cut his finger,
or have the toothache, to lose his employment, at as high, nay a
higher, rate than the Duke of Richmond. There is another dis-
graceful characteristic of this measure. An Englishman used to
boast that his house was his castle, and how often have I heard it
said and sung, that 3 on mustn't enter his castle. What has
become of the castle now ? The real castle is safe enough, be-
cause a nobleman inhabits it ; but the cottage, which was
poetically called" a castle," is no longer a place of security
for the hard-working man, but is constantly open to the inroads
of the tax-collector. There is one good in this measure.
" The toad, ugly and venomous, has a jewel in its head."
When the Income-tax comes into operation, there's the toad,
and [ would place it in a market town, and show it as the result
of class legislation. Brave and generous people of England,
are you to submit to a system like this? 'lliere is the entire
session for you now. I've given it you as it is. There is a
tail to it to be sure ; a constitution is to be destroyed in New-
foundland—there's a bonne bouche for Lord Stanley. That's
the entire text of the session. A Corn-law equally potential
to crush and starve with the last ; a Tariff showing that the
men know how to do right, but are determined to do wrong;
then an Income-tax to crown and bless the whole. Why, if
you were to consider, a priori, how to get bad results from a
Parliament, you would begin by making them demoralise the
town and boroughs of the kingdom ; by getting a class of
wealthy men who are ready to traffic in the consciences of
others, you would get a great briber with an immensity of
money, and send him round to buy up the souls of the people.
In the Harwich case a man came with tears in his eyes and
asked " Sir, would you deprive me and my family of 7001. ?"
blame that man, but I barns the wretch more who gave it him.
( Hear, hear.) if you had to form a Parliament of wickedness
you would take those, or some such materials, and you would
have an agitator in every district who would complain that the
landed interest was going to be Robbed. I remember Mr.
Cobbett used to tell of a man in France who had done some,
thing very bad, and who, when they were flogging hiss, called
out " they're assassinating me, they're assassinating me ;" so
would the landed aristocracy call out, "you're assassinating me,
you want cheap bread, and you'i c robbing me." Yes ! if you had a
mind to have a slippery Corn-law, the provisions of a Tariff
such as I have described, and above all, that climax of in-
justice and wickedness—the Income•tax, you would jug have

THE BANKRUPT CANC.--'---A.de deputation of gentle-
men connected with the grocery, oil, wine, and spirit trades
had a long interview with Sir J. Graham yesterday morning, at
the Home-office, on the subject of the Bankruptcy Bill now
before Parliament. The Deputation consisted of the following
gentlemen :-...Mr. Price, chairman, Alr. W. Hawes, Mr
Nicholson, Mr. Warner, Mr. Gasicot, Mr. V. Morris, Alr•
John Travers, Mr. H. Clarke, Alr. Curtis, solicitor, and Alr•
Wright, honorary secretary. The deputation was accompanied
h Mr. G. Lyall, 11. P , Mr. Masterman, MX., and Air. B.
Hawes, ALP. .
iii:REctinDsitlßE ASSIZES.—The assizes for this
county will commence on Wednesday next ; and at
present the calendar contains the names of thirteen per-
sons, of which one is for rape, one for forging, and the
others for felony, &c.
Thursday, ~while Mrs. Gething, of Newport, Mon-
mouth, and her two daughters, were bathing at Souther-
down, Glamorgan, the latter got out of their depth,
were carried away by the tide, and drowned in the pre-
sence of their frantic parent.—Bath Journal.