The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1852-06-01 00:00:00

THE LIVEUPOOL STANDARD, TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 185‘:..

THE LUCK OF THE FREE-TRADERS.

DR. MiNEILE AND THE MAYNOOTH

GRANT.

A SERIES of incidents, which could never have
been foreseen, has up to this moment served to
prolong the delusion of the public, as to the alleged
successful operation of Free-trade ; and, at the same
time, has furnished arguments to its supporters.
The loss cf the potato crop in 1846, and an impend-
ing famine in Ireland, served as a pretext for the
repeal of the Corn-laws ; and it is still referred to
in justification, although it is a well-known fact
that the unforeseen wants of the people, caused by
the destruction of that crop, would have been
almost equally well supplied under the operation of
the old law. A monetary convulsion followed in
1847, which prostrated a large number of the
leading commercial firms of Great Britain and her
colonies, besides inflicting heavy losses upon the
entire trading community. That calamity was
clearly traceable to the drain of gold required to
pay for our vast imports of foreign food ; but the
charlatanerie of Free-trade insisted that it was the
result of undue railway speculation, together with
the potato rot. The year 1848 was a year of com-
mercial quietude. Caution had been induced by
the losses of 1847, and both the import and export
transactions of the country were reduced within
prudent limits. There were no indications of rapid
progress for the CARDWELLS, and other devourers
of blue books to point to ; but their usual luck had
furnished them with the apology of a fever amongst
our population at home, and anarchy in the prin-
cipal continental empires. In 1849 an expansion
of our commerce took place, which was at once set
down as affording sonclusive evidence of the
advantages of Free-trade ; but we were never
reminded of the cessation of European disturbances
which enabled us to supply the exhausted markets
of the continent; or that the home markets, which
had been in a state of stagnation during the pre-
vious two years, required replenishing. In 1850
there was a lull in our exports to nearly every
country, the United States being the principal
exception. The lull in question was, in part,
attributed to the advanced price of cotton ; but the
fact that California had, by enlarging the basis of
the currency of the United States, enabled that
country to consume more of our product, was not
even alluded to. The past year, it is notorious,
was one of disaster to the entire mercantile com-
munity ; but export and import business still pro-
gressed enormously; and the men of mere statistics,
and the public, Who have been gulled by them, were
satisfied that Free-trade had achieved a triumph.
We contend that the advocates of the system
have been " lucky ;" that circumstances, over
which they could exert no controul, and which it
was impossible for them to foresee, have contributed
mainly to produce the stimulated trade, upon which
they glorify themselves, and, at the same time, to
protect the country from a recurrence, in a more
severe form, of the monetary difficulties which fol-
lowed, in 1847, the inauguration of free trade in
They tell us, impudently, of increasing im-
ports and exports, and increasing productiveness
of the revenue, and twit us with the fact that, not-
withstanding our increased dependence upon the
foreigner for food, and our large imports, we have
kept our gold at home, and even added to our
stores of that metal. California and Australia fur-
nish the answer to these boastings. The discoveries
of the precious metals in these countries alone pre-
served us from a monetary convulsion, as the result
of last year's over trading. At the same time, it
has decreased the interest of money for commercial
purposes throughout the world, and thus maintained
prices, and increased the activity of mercantile
transactions. Yet the addition to the stock of the
precious metals—the basis of the circulation of most
commercial countries—is ignored, and it is shame-
lessly asserted that free trade " has done it all."

THE liberty of the Press in this country is com—
plete, and the license of elections is proverbial :
still we think that the claims of veracity should be
considered paramount. We observe, however, that
the electioneering squibs and placards which are
issuing under false colours of affected Protestantism
from the CARDWELL camp, make no scruple about
barefaced falsehoods when they can gain, or seem
to gain, a point against an opponent they are afraid
of. This is the secret of the utterly unfounded
assertion that Dr. WNEILE advised his friends to
" sink the Maynooth question as secondary." We
boldly affirm that the rev. gentleman never did any-
thing of the kind. He did indeed prefer Lord JOHN
MANNERS to Mr. CARDWELL ; but in this the
Maynooth question was not sunk as secondary, it
was not involved at all, because, as the Doctor said
at the time,- both the gentlemen were on the same
side of that question. Neither of them were to his
taste. He said to plainly. But, if he must choose
between the two, he preferred what he considered
the lesser evil. He preferred Lord JOHN MANNERS,
who had written to say expressly that he was on
principle opposed to all further concessions to
Rome, whether pecuniary or honorary, rather than
Mr. CARDWELL, who has joined a Parliamentary
party ready, if they had the power, to endow, not
Maynooth only, but the entire Romish Hierarchy
and Priesthood in Ireland. We are not surprised
at the attempts made to throw dirt on Dr. WNEILE.
He is felt to be an adversary worth singling out,
and, of course, no efforts will be spared to damage
him. He requires no vindication from us, "The
blood of Douglas can defend itself," but we pro-
test against wilful lying, even at an election. The
lecture on Monday evening next is feared, because
he has well selected the topic calculated to expose
the ignorance or the hypocrisy of politicians, who,
with admirable simplicity, avow themselves at ence
the advocates of liberty, and the allies of Rome, the
advocates of light, and the allies of darkness.

MR. TURNER & MR. FORBES MACKENZIE that, thus far, he was happy to inform the meeting, the
AT PITT-STREET WARD LAST NIGHT. canvas showed a considerable majority in their favour.
The CHAIRMAN put the resolution, which was carried

,ime in

A numerous meeting of the electors of Pitt-street and unanimously.
St. Peter's 'Wards was held last night. at the Vine Tavern, Mr. W. J. HORSFALL appeared for the first
in Pitt-street, for the purpose of hearing the sentiments of Pitt. st rect Ward, and in a very neat speech, expressive
Messrs. Turner and Mackenzie, the two Conservative can- of confidence in Lord Derby's ministry, elicited from the
didates, who had appointed to address them. Amongst meeting that they would have no other government.
those present we observed Aldermen Parker and Robin- Mr. Horsfall moved the second resolution, which was to
son, Councillors Toulmin, John Gladstone, jun., Messrs. the effect that the character of this town could only be
Collis, Whatham, Rowett, J. Gardner, jun., Councillor recovered by returning the candidates whom they had
Jeffreys, John Rimmer, Richard Caswell, John Sparks, I heard that night.
Councillor Wagstaffe, Satchell, Councillor A. Henderson, Mr. WILLIArs FISHER seconded the resolution in a
James Wilson, Robert Williams, John Rigby, T. Bold, fore'
W. Fisher, L. Peel, G. H. Horsfall, James Holm', Jno. M
Peacock, Thos. Branch, Wilson, H. Bremner, Leatherbar- s
row, D. Gibb, Jno. Lockett, E. J. Lowe, and Edward
'Webster.
On the hour of meeting arriving, it was found that the
room provided was not sufficiently large. It was proposed
to adjourn to the Tennis-court at the back of the house,
and that the candidates should address the meeting below

from one of the windows which overlooked the court.
Mr. Alderman Parker was called to the chair, and pro-
ceeded to introduce the members to the meeting ; and in
a brief but forcible speech, which was warmly received,
urged upon the meeting that the great question upon
which the present contest should be fought was the main-
tenance of the Protestant institutions of the country. Mr.
Parker then introduced to the meeting
Mr. W. FORBES MACKENZIE. On his appearance
at one of the windows, the honourable gentleman was
greeted with loud and long-continued cheers by the
audience in the Tennis-court. Silence being restored,
Mr. Mackenzie proceeded with his address. He said,
when he first came down here at their invitation, he
told them that he should not have had the arrogance to
present himself as a candidate for the suffrages of so
portant a commercial community as theirs ; but when he
received that requisition, to which were appended the
names of so many of the respectable electors, he came

down and met them, and a large proportion of the

'dress, commendatory of the character of Me
e and Turner, and contrasting their condu
with that of Mr. Cardwell

Mr. LocKErr, Chairman of the Shipowners' Associa-
tion, perfectly concurred with everything which the last
speakers had said of Mr. Cardwell. He had himself
taken upon him a great share in introducing that gentle-
man to the electors of this town ; and he distinctly stated,
notwithstanding Mr. Cardwell's denial of having made
any pledges, that he had distinctly pledged himself per-

F. on:Wy to him, and had led him to believe that he was
favourable to the maintenance of the Navigation laws. Mr.
Cardwell had stated that he had been driven to support the
Mr. Labouchere by the conduct of the shipowners
s, who would agree to nothing but maintaining
_ The fact was, that they had many interviews
n ; but they could never draw from him a decided
so fast did he seem to be pinned to the coat tails
of Sir Robert Peel. (Loud cheers.)
THos. TOULMIN briefly addressed the meeting,
d moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman.
Mr. CHAS. Cows seconded the motion, and the Chair-

ng returned thanks, the meet'

ng Eeparate

MESSRS. MACKENZIE AND TURNER AT
THE CARPENTERS' HALL, BOND-ST.

few of the members of the committee, proceeded to attend
a meeting of the electors of Scotland Ward, at the Car.
penter's Hall, Bond-street. The large room was densely
filled on the occasion ; and, on making their entrance, the
candidates were greeted with several rounds of hearty

Immediately after the termination of the meetin
tt-sl-reet Ward, Messrs. Mackenzie and Tnrner,

electors, at the Amphitheatre, where he explained g -
nerally his sentiments on the great topics which occupy
the mind of Parliament and the country. Since that
time there had been little change, either here or else-
where, on the questions which agitated public opi-
nion. The only topic had been the motion introduced
into parliament by Mr. Spooner, for an inquiry into the
character of the education of the Roman Catholic priest-
hood in the College of Maynooth. (Hear, hear,
hear.) It was well known to everybody that it
was his intention to support that motion. (Cheers.)
The debates on this motion have been so continually
Interrupted by Roman Catholic members, the repre-
sentatives of Roman Catholic constituencies, that he
was justified in considering their object to be to pro-
long the question and so prevent the motion passing
during the session ; although they charged their oppo-
nents with entertaining this object ; but this he
believed was characteristic of the religion of those gentle-
men. Since he had come down to Liverpool, he had read
a placard which charged him with not being willing to
take a part in promoting that motion. He alluded to th e
placard headed, "Where was Forbes Mackenzie ?" (Hear.)
His answer to this would be extremely simple, if they
would allow him to explain to them. The rules of the
House of Commons expressly state, that on Tuesday
evenings notices of motion shall have precedence o
orders of the day. Now adjourned debates are orders of the
day. At the meeting of the House at twelve o'clock, he
was in his place. The House adjourned till evening.
If they had met at eight o'clock, there would have hist
before them three notices of motion of great interest—
the first was a notice moved by Mr. F. D'Eyncourt,
relating to the duration of the sittings of parliament ; the
next was a notice by Lord Rubt. Grosvenor, for the aboli-
tion of duty on the certificates of attorneys ; and the third
motion was brought forward by Mr.T. Duncombe. if these
motions had come forward, it was very certain they would
have occupied the rest of the evening. (Hear, hear.) The
Roman Catholic members very well knew that by the time
Vie notices of motion would have been disposed of, it
would have been too late to begin with the adjourned
debate on Mr. Spooner's motion. (Hear, hear.) But what.
ever might be insinuated as to his motives, he could only
repeat what he expressed in the Amphitheatre, that he
was determined to resist the Roman Catholic party.
When they taunted him with having changed his opinions,
even if the charge were shown to be correct, he would ask
the meeting whether circumstances had not taken place
in modern times which would justify that change ? (Hear,
hear.) Had there been no Papal aggression? Had not the
Pope attempted to interfere with the prerogative of the
Queen by appointing his own self-named bishops with
territorial titles ? That alone might have been sufficient
to induce any thinking man to change his opinion. But,
be that as it might, his opinion was now fixed and
decided; and they might depend that the College of
Maynooth should have his most unswerving opposition.
He did not know whether any of those present were much
mixed up with the shipping interest. (Cries of " Yes.")
He voted against the repeal of those laws, and he did so
because be thought their repeal placed this country in an
unfair position relatively to other countries. He would
ask them if it was not so ? (Cries of " Yes.") The
foreign vessels now coming into this port did not use our
manufactures to the same extent as British vessels ; and
their consumption of the various products required in the
working of a ship taken from this port did not exceed
one-fourth of that taken by our own vessels. (Cries of
" Not a hundredth part.") With reference to the re-
turns of the tonnage, he admitted there had been an
increase ; but it must be observed that three-fourths
of the aggregate number returned were foreign ves-
sels, and only the remaining one-fourth were British.
(Hear, hear.) The foreign vessels got neither ropes,
canvass, nor even provisions here ; they went to other
ports for all these. (Hear, hear.) Did not a Spanish
vessel get £4 per ton freight in their own port, when a
British ship could not obtain £1 ? How did the Ameri-
cans manage this ? If a Spanish ship took in cargo at an
American port, she was compelled to pay the difference,
in consequence of which the Americans were sure to get
her money. (An inebriated gentleman here caused a
slight interruption by some incoherent remarks ; the
chairman soon restored order.) Mr. Mackenzie pro-
ceeded :—These being his opinions upon the shipping inte-
rest, he hoped, at least, to have the support of those en-
gaged in that interest. (Immense cheering.) He did not
know that there was any other topic for him to touch
upon, but if by and by, after Mr. Turner had addressed
them, they should think proper to put any questions to
him, he should be delighted to answer them in a straight-
forward way, for he considered that to be the only true
mode in which a representative and a constituency should
meet. They might depend upon it, that if they should
honour him by selecting him as one of their candidates,
he should never break his promise, and he should never
promise what he did not intend to perform. Mr. Mac-
kenzie then retired, followed by the unanimous plaudits

&Leering

kmongst the gentlemen on the platform re observed
James Holme, Robert Horsfall, Lawrence Peel,
N. D. Bold, George 11. Horsfall, Edward Lowe, Wm.
Fis]ier, Thomas Bold, William J. Horsfall, Clarke,
Wm. Whathana, John Lockett, Arthur Henderson, Thos.
Branch, John Peacock, Thomas Watson, Edward Rat-
cliffe, R. L. Clay, &c.

lltssrs

Mr. JANIES HOLME was called to the chair, in the tem-
cnce of Mr. Alderman Dover. That gentleman
Mr. Holme was speaking, and took the
_ _ DOVER proceeded to address the meeting, and
remarked upon the fact that a country must be governed
by a party. The Whigs had confessed they could nob
govern the country. The Peelites were few in number,
and the party of Lord Derby was the only one which
could undertake the duty. He had been se^. for by the
Queer., and had not forced himself upon the country. Mr.
Dover proceeded to comment upon the merits of the two
gentlemen who had been selected as candidates. Mr
Mackenzie was a man of high standing in Parliament, and
a member of Lord Derby's Government; and Liverpo.o'
had long wanted influence in Parliament. TLe,
should also remember that he was a man who had
sacrificed place for principle. Mr. Turner, as Chair.
man of the Dock Committee, had the management of
great local interests, and was well fitted to represent
them. The Chairman proceeded to remark that al
parties liked a cheap loaf, and he did so, if he could get
without injuring others. He showed that Liverpool ha
not progressed as much as formerly since Free Trade
and referred to the ruinous position of the millers of ;hi
He concluded by calling attention to the clain
Lord Derby had upon the constituency of thi
town, and urged that they should return Messrs. Turns
and Mackenzie to support Lord Derby's government. H
then introduced Mr. Mackenzie to the meeting, amids

porari at

arrived when

country

repeated rounds of cheering.
Mr. MAcaENzig, before he entered upon the expi
sion of his own opinions, begged to thank his friends

having as

mbled so very large a meeting, and for the .
merous promises of support which they had given Lim.
honourable gentleman proceeded to express his views ul
the subject of the navigation laws, in the course of
he showed the great loss which England had sustained
Vie superior advantages which the foreigner had in
long voyage trade. He noticed also the different mod
which America treated Spain and other count

who refused reciprocity, as compared with the polio
of this country. Mr. Mackenzie next referred I
the subject of the Maynooth question, and having vei
humorously exposed the tricky character of certain of n
Whig-Radical placards, explained the mode in which ti
house was counted out on Tuesday last, in somewh
similar terms to those which lie used at the meeting
Pitt-street, and showed that it was Mr. Hayter, tl
whipper-in of the late Whig Government, who mewl
that the house he counted. He next proceeded to descri
the factious conduct of the Irish Roman Catholic member
and expressed his conviction that it was the determinatii
of those members to prevent any division on that questh
during the present session. Mr. Mackenzie described al
the conduct of the present government with respect to t.
Papal Aggression Bill, as compared with that of the
Government ; and declared himself determined and rea
to stand by the Protestant ascendancy of the country. l
concluded by expressing his willingness to answer a
question which might be put to him. (The honoura
gentleman was greeted throughout his address, and at
close, with enthusiastic cheers.)
Mr. CHARLES TURNER expressed the great pleas;
which he had in meeting, in a room belonging to
shipwrights of Liverpool, a body with which he had I
connection ever since he came to Liverpool. He expo:
the fallacy of those who attempted to show the increase
British shipping. He was satisfied, from experien
that our supremacy as a maritime power was declinh
Mr. Turner went on to explain his views as to a duty
corn, "and stated himself to be a conscientious oppon,
of any grant to Maynooth. Mr. Turner's address v
received with enthusiasm, and cheered throughout.
The CHAIRMAN called upon Mr. George H. Horsfal

move the first resolution.
Mr. G. H. HORSFALL moved, that the electors of Sc
land Ward considered Messrs. Turner and Meeker
eminently fitted to represent this borough, and pledg
the meeting to promote their return. Mr. Horsfall,

very eloquent speech, which we regret we have not
fur, enforc?d the resolution. Mr. llorsfall concluci

.et great cheering

Mr. JAMES HoLmE seconded the resolution, a
menting upon the manly mannar in which the two c
didates before them had spoken. They had not beat ab
the bush. They had not to dispute whether they
promised to support the repeal of the Corn-laws or
Mr. Holme put it to the meeting whether they had
rived any benefit by the admission of foreign shipping
this country. and urged them not to be led away by
claptrap of cheapness. Mr. Holme concluded with s(
sound practical remarks upon the duty of the elector
the present crisis, amidst loud cheering.

of the meeting.
Mr. CHARLES TURNER next came forward, and ma
received in the same flattering way that marked the in-
troduction of his fellow candidate. He reminded the
meeting that he had had the opportunity of explaining
his views at the Amphitheatre, and that, conse-
quently, he had little to say on that occasion,
few prefatory observations, he proceeded to the religious
question. The more he thought on the subject,
the more he felt convinced of the injustice of taking
the money of Protestants to support a Roman Catho-
lic college, the great object of the priests educated
therein being to subvert the religion of Protestants.
The Roman Catholics were attempting to gain sympathy
by exclaiming for civil and religious liberty : now who
ever heard of civil and religious liberty where that religion
was in the ascendant? (Hear, hear.) In Italy, the
principal seat of the Roman Catholic religion, Pro-
testants were not allowed to erect a church for the
worship of God in accordance with the forms of their own
religion. Nothing could be more arrogant than the edict
sent to this country last year by the Pope, invading the
prerogative of the Queen, and establishing territorial titles
in this country without even askine the permission
of the legitimate government. Ho believed that
there was not one Roman Catholic country even
that would have suffered such an act of assumption to
take effect. Mr. Turner then touched on the
the Navigation-laws. He had always adrnitte
changes were required ; it was natural that law
quire some modifications in conformity witl,
cumstances, but what he complained of
.
of the Navigation Laws, was the recklr-
the principle of those laws bad 1
-,er concluded his addr,-

After a

The CHAIRMAN, in putting the resolution, remin
the meeting of the late Papal Aggression, and war
them that, if they returned Messrs. Cardwell and Ew

all their meetings and petitions would be rendered vai
The resolution was carried unanimously. _ _

Mr. CLARKE and several other gentlemen addre
the meeting, which was one of the most enthusit
we ever attended in the ward ; but the late hour to tvl
the proceedings were prolonged prevents us even attetr
ing to give a report of their speeches.

of
noon. ~8.
rms, members.
and after
spent
n ta tat epnl
ed
TRAM` CLus.—This club celebrated its anni‘
noon. A vast concourse of people were present in
township as usual, but Mr. Palmer, special high coasts
had made excellent arrangements for the preventio
the disgracefu scenes which took lane la
happy to add was successful. P ' st year, aaL
dined edYaestttebrdeBQuee'rn''ise

s noble family, whose r

labject of

that if he to parliament
tative, he should not fail to give his e

that some

if four centuries, to have fully verified
;alto to the throne of these realms.
of James, the 7th Earl, to Oliver Cro'
him to give up the Isle of Man,
rest :—" I received your letter Fitt'
th scorn I return you this answer

culd re-

he repeal

hould gather an
rove treaehepu

and ti

eir represen-

I arn no

,parted. I scorn yo
I abhor your treyo
up this island to y
the utmost of my
is final answer, au

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,doubted practice,

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to be his M