The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-05-28 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

spect which the preceding speakers had paid to the
memory of Mr. Wilbraham. From the character of the
gentleman by whom he had been nominated and seconded,
it would be seen that all political partizanship had been
put aside, and that he presented himself as a candidate,
only as an incorruptible advocate of Free Trade, and of
the right which every nation ought to enjoy to exchange
its produce for that of another ; for by the cultivation of
this principle they best cultivated relations of peace and
good will between nations, and thereby prevented the
taxes and other evils which were consequent on wars, pro-
duced by a want of such a friendly understanding. He
wished to carry out the maxim that had been sanctioned
by the Premier—to buy in the cheapest and sell in the
dearest market. If it should be their pleasure to make
him their representative in the Commons House of Par-
liament, they would never find him offering a factious
opposition to any good measure, whether it might happen
to have been proposed by Conservative, Whig, or Radi
cal. He would never seek the smiles nor fear the frowns
of any administration. He could not take upon himself
to answer all the arguments from the opposite side. It
had been said we should not put our dependence on others
for a supply of grain, to which he should say that he de-
pended upon our soldiers to find or make us markets in
every part of the world—(cheers and hisses)—for he
felt sure if the present source of supplies was cut off,
others would speedily be obtained. They spoke of
prices of food where wages were low ; let them, then,
look at Ireland, and endeavour if they can there to raise
the rate of wages, for there were two millions of per-
sons who would be glad to be employed for 6d. a day.
Again, if they cross the Atlantic, they will find that the
operative there can get his 4s. a day. (Cries of " But
they come back again !") He knew that they did return,
because they don't like the climate, or rather because they
are influenced by that instinctive feeling of attachment
for the land of their birth (what the learned caned amor
patrim) that prevents them from availing themselves of
the advantages offered elsewhere. There were persons
who were disposed to regard the aristocracy as incum-
brances, but he did not so, for he thought them a neces-
sary spoke in the wheel, and he would not be the man to
disturb them in their possessions. Mr. Brown then con-
tinued at considerable length to speak upon different
matters connecting themselves with his notions of free
trade; but as the arguments by which he supported his
assertions had nothing of novelty in them, we shall
inflict no loss on the reader if we bring him to the close
of his observations, when he reiterated his assur-
ances, that if elected one of the representatives of the
Southern Division, he would endeavour to discharge
the duties so as best to promote the welfare of all
classes. (Cheers.)
Mr. ENTWIS LE then came forward, which was the signa
for a hearty burst of cheering. After it had subsided, he
spoke as follows :—Mr. High Sheriff and Gentlemen,—
At the commencement .f thier conteet-I-..-craindccit grratty
surprised to find that the electors of South Lancashire
were called upon to record their votes in this struggle upon
one point alone, to which their attention was directed, and
that it was expected they would leave out of sight all those
principles of our constitution—(hear, hear)—all those in-
stitutions of the country which have been so long our glory
and our safeguard. (Loud applause.) But, gentlemen,
my surprise has been much diminished, and I must say
that I much congratulate all the electors of this district
when I find that my honourable opponent is put forward,
with that one exception, upon precisely the same grounds
as those on which I appear before you. (Applause, and
a cry of " free trade,' from Mr. Brown's party.) That
is the one exception which I mention, and I have been
met upon my canvass with the assertion that Mr. Brown
is a better conservative than I am myself. (Applause and
laughter.) And we have heard just now—it has been put
forward by his own party—that he would give his support
to that ministry who now hold the reins of power in this
country. (Applause.) That is put forward as a claim
upon the votes of the electors of this district • and I say,
if there could be one argument more strong ;Ilan another
in favour of those ministers, it is that both sides find it
necessary to appeal to their support of them and their
measures, in defence of their claim to your suffrages.
(Loud cheers.) I am certainly not much surprised that
that is the case. (Applause.) I am not at all surprised
that the contest has taken that turn. But I look back to
the circumstances in which we were left at the last election
in 1841 ; and when I see the circumstances under which
this country now exists, and the comparative degree of
great prosperity to which we have attained, I am not
surprised that great confidence should be attached to those
ministers who have rescued us out of a condition in which
our trade was depressed to an extent almost unparalleled,
when we were engaged in several wars, and when our
annual revenue was greatly deficient. (Applause.) I am
not surprised that great confidence should be attached to
those ministers who have restored peace to the country—
(hear, hear)—under whose government trade has been
extended, and by whom our revenue has been again placed
in a situation to be sufficient for the expenditore of the
country. (Loud cheers, and some of the leaguers called
out, " the income tax.") It is said, gentlemen, that this
is done by means of an income tax. I am not here to dis-
cuss by what means it was done. (Applause.) I am quite
ready, if you desire to know my opinion upon the matter,
to express my opinion, that that tax was a good tax, and
was imperatively called for by the circumstances of the
country at that time. (Applause.) Urgent cases, gentle-
men, require severe remedies. The remedy may have been
severe, but it has answered the purpose—(applause),—
and for the first time for many years the ministry has had
the agreeable duty imposed upon them of considering in
what manner the surplus of revenue shall be applied.
(Loud cheers.) We were not troubled with any such con-
siderations under the late ministry. (Hear, hear.) We
have had just now a considerable detail with regard to
wool read to us in this meeting. I did not hear a great
p irt of it, and I was unable to catch the purport of it ; but
I happen to recollect that there is just now passing a
measure for the total abolition of the duty on wool. I
don't know whether this may in some degree answer the
expectations of those gentlemen. (Applause.) But, gen-
tlemen, it seems the great cry is to be raised upon the
subject of free trade; and in this instance the question of
free trade appears to be narrowed to the one individual
question of the repeal of the corn laws. (Applause, and
' no.") Gentlemen, I ask, is it so? (" No, no.") Is
my opponent the candidate of the League, or is he not ?
(" Yes," and cheers.) If it be not so, I would ask, how
is it that that gentleman has been making his progress
through the country attended by the most active, and I
may add, I believe, the most able member of the League?
(Loud cheers from the leaguers.) We have had read to
us by Mr. Brown himself, almost as a part of his own
speech, a large quotation from a speech delivered by Mr.
meet-
ings in the metropolis—those meetingsvvh h
with all the force of talent and argument
Wilson, at one of their hebdomadal or foritcnigahrtelysooft often
repeated ; yet,
that has elapsed, and the experience t
of the time
they have failed to convince
which has been applied in their behalf, with all theh that has
been gained on this subject,forceh
the people of this ' country. (Loud applause.) If the case
be so transparent, gentlemen, so palpable, how is it that
so many in this country have yet failed to perceive it ?
(Applause.) Do these men possess a monopoly—hateful
as is the word—of all the sense in the kingdom ? (Ap-
plause.) Is there no one able to perceive a plain argu-
ment, and reason from fair deductions, exceptthemselves?
(Cheers.) I deny that such is the case ; and I refer to the
opinions expressed in the House of Commons, who, as the
representatives of the people, still maintain these mea-
sures, as a proof that the intelligence of the country, and
those who are possessed of talent sufficient to decide the
question, are not yet convinced by the arguments of the
Anti-Corn-law League. (Loud applause.) I say that
that is a proof that their arguments are not so sound ; s
they themselves fancy. (Applause.) Gentlemen, when
this subject was mentioned some short time ago, there
arose a cry of "Try it, try it." (Hear, hear.) Now,
gentlemen, it is precisely because I object to trials and
experiments unless they proceed upon sound grounds that
I am here to-day. (Loud cheers.) It is because I re-
fuse to go upon mere trial, upon mere experimental legis-
lation, which will run all hazards, and take all risks, to
to extend their particular interest, even to the risk of
damaging a very large portion of those in whose welfare
that of the country is bound up. (Applause.) Gentle-
men, that principle of making experiments is precisely the
principle which ever ruined ancient nations ; it is pre-
cisely that principle which leads to wild innovation upon
their laws and ultimately has a decidedly revolutionary
tendency. (Loud applause, and great uneasiness in the
league box.) I say it is because I dread the revolution-
ary tendency of those principles that I am here to protest
against them to-day. (Cheers.) Differences of opinion
will no doubt exist ; and I am not here to argue for the
purpose of converting any of those gentlemen by whom I
am surrounded, who have had ample opportunity of
making up their own minds ; but to give an opportunity
to those gentlemen who agree with me in their opinions, of
recording their votes, of testifying their approbation in
the manner prescribed for them by the laws or the coun-
try. (Applause.) I claim for them the right to be heard;
and I am here, offering myself, for the purpose of giving
them that opportunity which they have a right to demand
(Applause.) Gentlemen, I have mentioned to you one of
what I consider to be the inconsistencies of the advocates
of the League, and I will endeavour to mention one or
two others, which I consider the most palpable. One has
been already alluded to—that many of these gentlemen
who protest against the ruinous effects of the restrictions
which exist on commerce, have themselves made large
fortunes under the operation of those very laws. (Ap-
plause.) Surely, if circumstances have been so desper-
ately bad, how is it that they have been so pre-eminent in
talent—how is it that, in common with many others, they
have succeeded in realizing the large fortunes they now
enjoy. (Applause. and a cry of " They got them out of
the factory slaves.") Surely, that alone is a proof that
the interest of our manufacturers has been consulted by
same anothertt of
this country, and that room has existed for men to exer-
ciseea
their talents, their industry, and their enterprise, in
the pursuits of commerch
time,
we now hear h
,which engage so large a part of
theirtb i
community.
h(iAliesp:pahltai
this
: the cry has often been raised
hs ) Gentlemen,
for
re
cheap
plobrdres aadr, inconsistencieswhile,
e not to be ruined, nor the farmers either.
I would ask you, how is that cheap bread to be obtained,
unless it be by the reduction of the price of cora ; and it
gentlemen who has
addressed you to-day, that the utter destructioicnnorotnhf seahllouthlde
rents of the kingdom would not suffice to make any eon_
siderable or important reduction in that
f foreign important article
d
of our food,—that the total removal, the abrogation of all
her rent
a nat
attended.
eddN7o
as
sk
if butatph
pe
tr ae
apprehend
ee
nr
it would be, by throwing a
introduction alo
small
alteration
t h would
the result large portion of the land now employed out of cultivation,
—(interruption from the League, and cries of " Non-
sense.") I know these gentlemen deny that such a result'
would follow, and they say " Let us only try." (Hear,
hear.)
Gentlemen,
am veryconvincedl d thatat wanrte themslt to try, because I
well
I apprehend
follow ; and should they be allowed to " try," and my ap-
prehensions should prove more correct than their hopes,
I ask yon,in
what condition should we then be ? (Hear,
hear, hear.) Should we be able to retrace our steps?
No : we have ruined a large portion of the community,

and the ruin would evidently recoil upon our own hands.
(Loud applause.) Gentlemen, can it h.; considered a mat-
ter of no importance whether the exchange of the manu-
factures of this country for the productions of the earth,
is carried on with those who are employed in the cultiva-
tion of the land at home, or those who are employed in
the cultivation of land in foreign nations ? Applause.) Is
it not the theory of those gentlemen themsel res, that both
parties are greatly enriched by this mutual exchange; and
would they then deprive the home grower of those advan-
tages in order to enrich the foreign grower? ( Hear, hear.)
Is it a matter of no importance that the agriculturist of
India, of China, or of America is to be enriched by that
exchange, and our home farmer is to be left in indigence
and destitution? Loud applause.) We have heard some-
thing to-day about the restrictions imposed in this coun-
try, as c smpared with those imposed in China upon the
importation of our commodities. I do not know whether
the Chinese have as yet arrived at that pitch of civilisation
to be burdened with a very large national debt—(hear,
hear),—or whether, if they have one, they will be more
inclined to reject the payment of it, or to keep up the na-
tional faith by means of taxes. (Hear, hear.) But it
seems that they do impose such duties as they consider
necessary for their own security and revenue. (Applause.)
Gentlemen, we have had also some statements with regard
to the United States. I would ask what tariff is now
more hostile to the manufacturers of Great Britain than
that of the United States? (Applause.) It is said that
this is the result of your own bad legislation. Be this as
it may, but have we to deal with the past or the present?
We have to deal with the present ; and it will be in vain
to expect that the inhabitants of the United States will
now pause in that career which they have successfully and
wisely, as they consider, begun. (Applause.) It would.
be vain to expect that we could either stop the march of
civilization, or that, with the march of civilization, those
arts of peace should cease to be cultivated which form the
great prosperity of the country that is engaged in them.
It is in consequence, not of our tariff, but of the circum-
stances under which they find themselves, that they are
enabled to cultivate those arts. Manufactures and corn-
coerce have inevitably followed from the thriving state of
prosperity in which they have been able to place them-
selves; I allude to all nations, not America merely, but
to the countries on the continent of Europe also; these
countries enjoying the blessing of peace, have leisure to
cultivate those arts which have been so highly successful
in England. It is by imitating us in manufactures
and commerce which have raised this nation to greatness,
—not by following us in restrictions,—that they seek to
ae.hieve the same greatness as has been achieved in this
country. (Applause.) Gentlemen, I would ask whether
there is not a very great contrast, and one much to the
advantage of the present ministers, between those who
imposed an additional duty of 5 per cent. on all the articles
paying assessed taxes, and those who have instituted and
oaeriad iron effect a very complete revision and reduction
of all our import duties. (Loud appiause.) Gentlemen,
I shall not trespass much longer upon your time; and I
hope for your indulgence white I speak the very few things
which I have to say. (Applause, and " go on, go on.")
I believe the questions at issue are pretty well understood
by all the inhabitants of this district; but there is one
point which I cannot omit to notice; and that is, that it
is claimed for my antagonist that the ministers themselves
would rather see him returned, in order that they may be
urged on in that course of improvement which they have
commenced. (Applause, and " That is only a trap.")
Gentlemen, it may be so ; I am too sensible of my own
deficiencies to pretend to assert anything as to the wishes
or desires of the ministers ; but it does appear to me to be
a little extraordinary, and I asked myself the question
from whence these gentlemen could have derived their in-
formation. (Loud applause.) And, upon looking round
at the probable sources from which they could have de-
rived the information, I came to the conclusion that some
gentleman of the League must have got into the secrets
of the cabinet by accepting office under Sir Robert Peel
(great laughter) ; and I entertained a sanguine hope that
the honourable member for Stockport would be compelled
to absent himself in order to defend his own seat, instead
of attending my antagonist in his progress through the
county. (Applause and laughter.) I will, however, confess
that from the talent displayed by that gentleman, I thought
such would be a very happy result, and I rather enter-
tained a hope that it might be the case; but, gentlemen,
I have not heard that any such circumstances have oc-
curred, and therefore I am still at a loss to know from
whence they derive the information which they pretend
to have acquired, and how it comes that they have ascer-
tained the mind of our prime minister? (Applause.) I
believe he is famous for keeping his secrets remarkably
well. (Hear, hear.) It is said that when the interests
of the country require it, nobody knows, until his 'nea-
r sures are brought forward, what they are, except those
members of his own cabinet, to whom it is his duty to
communicate the information. I therefore wish to ask
how it comes that that assertion has been so confidently
made? (Applause.) When the gentleman, who pro-
posed my antagonist, made his speech, I confess I heard
him with no little astonishment, when I found that, hav-
ing formerly held to the conservative party, and now
entertaining the opinions he does, he should have felt
himself at liberty to desert them. (Loud applause, and
much uproar in the league's box.) I have heard one or
two expressions which I most gladly recognised. One
was that the relaxations of the restrictions on trade
should take place gradually. (Applause.) Another was,
that our talent, and our industry, and our machinery,
were all easily transplanted to foreign nations, but that
our green fields could not be so transplanted. (Cheers.)
Gentlemen, I submit to you that those who have no other
resources are those who are entitled to the consideration
of the legislature—(hear, hear) ;—that if our manufac-
turers and those engaged in trade and commerce have that
easy resource open to them, common fairness requires
that they at least should show more consideration for
those whose interests are not protected in that manner.
(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, they may be rash enough to
make those experiments which they talk of ; but I do
most sincerely hope that the good sense of the electors of
this district, as of many other counties, will prevent
them from experimentalising on those laws on which our
prosperity and our happiness depend. (Loud applause.)
Gentlemen, I will only express to you that I am sensible
a much better candidate might be found on the side that
I espouse, than myself—(" no, no ") ;—but I may be al-
lowed to congratulate myself on one point—that I be-
lieve the question will now be fairly tried. (Cheers.)
And if the decision of the electors of South Lancashire
shall be given in a manner in which I will allow myself to
hope that it will—(cheers, and cries of " yes, yes ") :
I congratulate myself, and those gentlemen with whom I
coincide in opinion, that those electors will have decided
in a manner not to be mistaken against the pretensions of
those gentlemen, and against the experiments which they
wish to force upon the country. (Loud cheers.) I am
quite willing to pledge the issue on that point on which
for the decision to be given ; and rely confidently on the
good sense of the electors here not to be deluded by the
fallacies which are so currently put forth. (Hear, hear,
and applause.) We have had a good many statistics
brought forward here to-day, as we have had them per-
petually brought forward by the emissaries of the league
in all parts of our kingdom. Tracts and newspapers,
missionaries and lecturers—(hear, hear, and lauhter),—
every engine is brought to bear for the instruction of the
people, who yet resolutely refuse to accept the arguments
which they bring forward, and prefer judging by their
own sense to being taught by these lecturers of the league.
(Great cheering.) Gentlemen, if the country at large is
unable to see its own interests, I am afraid we stand but
a small chance of those interests being considered. (Ap-
plause.) Gentlemen, if the ministers will continue to
possess the confidence of the people, I sincerely hope and
expect— (loud cheers) ;—and I appeal to the manner in
which their measures have been considered and carried
through,—l appeal confidently to the fact, that the confi-
dence of the House of Commons, of the representatives
of the country at large, has attended them in their ex-
ertions for the prosper ty of the country. I would hope,
gentlemen, with all respect for this meeting, I may now
be excused for concluding my address to you, because I
begin to feel myself unable longer to speak, from the heat
of the day. I may now be allowed, perhaps, to say, in con-
clusion, when I had the honour to appear on these
hustings, having been called upon to second your late
respected representative, I had little idea that I should
so soon be called on, on account of so melancholy an event,
to stand here as a candidate to be his successor. (Hear.)
But, gentlemen, if I be honoured with your approbation,
it will be my study to endeavour to deserve that approba-
tion, by following up, to the best of my ability, those
principles which he maintained, and which I believe to be
tiose on which the safety, honour, and welfare of our
country rest. (Applause.) Gentlemen, if I should suc-
ceed in that attempt, by being returned to parliament,
and if I should be able to win any degree of your good
will and approbation, I shall consider myself most fortu-
nate, and amply repaid for any exertions I may make.
(Loud applause.) I will now return you my thanks for
the kind manner in which you have listened to what I
have been able to say to you, and to request that calmly
and dispassionately the question may be argued, that the
struggle may be carried through, as it has been begun,
without rancour or animosity, and that the decision of
this great question may be carried on throughout the
county in such a way as to be art example to the rest of
the kingdom. (Loud and protracted cheering.)
A person in the crowd, who said he was a freeholder,
obtruded himself near to where the High Sheriff was
standing, and requested permission to address the elec-
tors, which the High Sheriff declined to allow, unless he
purposed to conclude by proposing a candidate. He then
desired to know if he might be permitted to put some
questions to Mr. Entwisle, which was granted. He put
two questions ; the first—would he, if returned, endea-
vour to procure the abolition of the window duty? and
secondly, would he vote for taking off the tax on farmers'
dogs. To both questions Mr. Entwisle replied that be
was ready to give any exposition of his principles, but he
would not pledge himself on any particular question of
detail. The man then forebore to press Mr. Entwisle
further.
Mr. COBDEN next importuned the High Sheriff for
leave to address the electors, but he was not allowed, ex-
cept on the condition required from the former applicant,
when finding that his itch for talking must needs be grati-
fied, even at the expense of propriety and gentlemanly
honesty, he gave a paltry unmeaning assurance of his in-
tention to propose a candidate, (and which he fulfilled in
a very questionable way) and then attempted an address,
but the meeting generally seemed determined that he
should not be heard, for on the mere motion of his lips
to open his mouth, he was met by a torrent of groans and
hisses, enough to have satisfied any gentleman that his
room was esteemed of much more value than his com-
pany. He seemed, however, to be no stranger to such an
unflattering kind of reception ; but on the contrary,
evidently determined to brave the expression of popular
contempt and indignation ; and as he told the folks he
would remain there till twelve o'clock at night, or have a
hearing, they consented, (after being earnestly entreated
by the High Sheriff, Mr. Wilson Patten, and Mr. Ent-
wisle,) to allow him to proceed, apparently considering
that his tag( would be a less evil, than an unnecessarily
prolonged meeting. He then went through a repetition

of old worn-out statements of abuse of landlords, and
cuckoo egotistical laudations of his own vast importance
in and out of parliament, and finally concluded by pro-
posing (" Oh ! tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the
streets of Askelon") mind, reader. for a member for the
county of Lancaster—Sir Thomas Potter as a fit and
proper person to be a candidate I Now then comes the
finale of the Cobden and Potter farce.—The High Sheriff
called out, `•Who seconds the nomination ;"and echo
answered " who ?" for the people on the right, the left, in
, front,—were silent one and silent all ;" and the weight
of
absurdity and fraud with which the motion was con-
ceived, brought it still-born to the grout:d! It fell to the
ground, as the saying is, for want of a seconder. What
then, Mr. RichardCobden had obtained the opportunity
of giving an exhibition of his astonish'ng feats in farcical
illustrations, and what matter to biro if all else were dis-
gusted beyond endurance—he had had his fling at the
grasping landlords, and the " chaw-bacon," clodhopper
farmers.
The HIGH SHERIFF then proceeded to take the show
of hands. This had to be done twice in consenuence of
the carriages, near the hustings standing up,
andudiaroatie
obstructing inuctng the view from the hustings of a great por-
tion of the crowd. It was then declared to be in favour
of Mr. Entwisle ; and there is no doubt that the
number was at least two to one. The most enthusiastic
cheering followed this announcement, and great conster-
nation manifested itself in the League's box, which at last
found vent in some ill-natured remarks to the sheriff,
impugning the correctness of his decision.
Mr. G. GARDNER having demanded a poll for Mr
Brown, the officer declared the court adjourned to Thurs-
day next, at ten o'clock, and stated the hours at which the
poll was to commence.
Mr. ENTWISLE in a brief speech, thanked the electors
for what they had done, and said that he would leave the
matter in their hands in full confidence and reliance that the
same result would follow the polling that had attended
the show of hands—(Cheers.) He concluded
propos-
ing propos-
in a vote of thanks to the High Sheriff, for his kind, cour-
teous and impartial conduct. (Applause.)
Mr. BROWN said, though many of his friends consider-
ed that the show of hands was in his favour, he was sure
the High Sheriff, as the returning officer, would be dis-
posed to act correctly on every occasion according to his
judgement; he had therefore great pleasure in seconding
the vote of thanks.—The motion was put by Mr. Entwisle,
and carried with loud and general cheering, except from
the blinded faction in the League's box.
The HIGH SHERIFF then said—Gentlemen, I beg to
return my best thanks to the honourable gentlemen who
have proposed the vote of thanks to me for my services on
this occasion. I assure you as I told you in opening the
business of the meeting, that I intend to be guarded by
the most impartial motives, and the motion proposed by
the honourable gentleman on my left, and seconded by
the honourable gentleman on my right, leads me to sup-
pose that I cannot be accused ; and at any rate of acting
partially. (Hear, hear, hear.) There may, and always
will be, differences of opinion as to the relative number
of hands held up in favour of either candidate ; but I
assure you I have acted conscientiously in the decision I
have given, Because lam perfectly satisfied THERE WAS
AT LEAST TWO TO ONE HELD UP IN FAVOUR OF Mr.
ENTWISLE.—(Loud and prolonged cheering.) Gen-
tlemen, I beg to thank you all. I should have done my
duty in declaring the show of hands for my friends on my
right if I could conscientiously have done so. (Hear,
hear, and applause.)
The immense crowd then dispersed.