The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-03-20 00:00:00

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We suspect that the writer of a letter on the Methodiot Bazaar.
who assumes the signature of "A Conservative," is the "real
Simon Pure" who figured in the Mail. We shall oublists•
his letter-if he consents to its insertion with his own name-
at tubed.

Vie Tttbtrpool ~,Stanbarb.

TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH 20, 183&

-. The Publication of the STANDARD commenced this morn-
ing at 5 o'clock.

REPEAL OF THE CORN LAWS.—On Thursday evening!:
another abortive attempt was made, in the House of
Commons, to procure a repeal of the corn laws. Mr..
Villiers moved for a committee to. consider the act re-
lating to the importation of,, aor,n,. and the philosophicati
radical, who represents the town.of!Leeds, delivered him-
self of another drowsy oration in support of the motion..
After the decisive majority against this motion—ther
numbers being, for it 95, against it 300—we sincerely%
hope that this. question will not be, revived for a. long.
time.

It is pretty. evident that these philosophers, who wouldi
deprive our native industry of every species of protect.-
tion, are destitute of any efficient external support. The
people have no sympathy with them, and care nothing
about their. ridiculous motions on the subject. This will
be apparent enough when we consider that the popula-
tioir of the country is estimated at 24;000,000, and that
out of these millions only 24,000 have petitioned par-
liament for a repeal of the coin laws, whilst upwards or
190,000 have, in the same space of time, prayed for the-
repeal of the poor laws. This apathy of the public mind
in. reference to the question .is a sufficient proof that
the people are perfectly, satisfied with things us they are..
About twelve years ago there was a general cry for the
repeal of the corn laws, and petitions were poured into-
the House of Commons from all parts of lhe country..
The agitation got up on the subject then produced a sen-
sation. Now it would be fruitless to attempt to make-
any impression of a similar kind. Why ? Evidently.,
because the people have become more intelligent—be- .
cause they have discovelid the selfish motives in which-1
the opposition to the corn laws originated—because they
have practically experienced the delusive character
of the arguments urged in favour of cheap bread. The ,
great bulk of the bread consumers in the country are-
now fully persuaded that any. further reduction in the..
price of corn must be injurious to all interests—to the-
landowner—to the farmer—to the manufacturer—to the.
tradesman—and to the labourer and mechanic.

The injury to the landowner would be great and irre—
trievable, and coupled with the most flagrant injustice..
Those who have purchased land under the condition of,
high prices, would, by the operation of a free trade in•.
corn, be literally robbed of one half their property. it.
is plain that, in order to compete with the slightest de-
gree of success with the foreign producer, the farmer
must have a reduction of rent corresponaing. to the di-
nished price of corn. The effect of this would be the
most severely felt by those who have a limited income
from landed property. These parties, who are now en-
abled to live in comfort, would he either compelled to fIY
to the continent, to eke out their scanty means, or. they
would have to turn their tenants. from their farms, and
cultivate their own land.

To the farmer a free trade in corn would be still more
injurious. The removal of the restrictive duties upon
the importation of corn would require an equivalent in-
crease of taxation in another shape.. How could Alla
farmer, with his d►minished means, contribute more than
he does at present towards the expenses of government ?
How considerate a,nd humane are our political econo-
mists--when their own interests are not affected! The/

MARCH 20 18:38.

would deprive: the farmer of that protection %Able!) lie
now enjoys, and by which alone he is enabled to live, and
then they would inflict upon him an increased amount of