Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-05-25

portant artieles-He thought that the i.h, honora
BILE gentleman did right in putting forward those NJ
tcleS a means by which the revenue might DC KEEP
up. He hoped they would be able u put down q
large portion OF the expenditure; but suppo The
kept up the expenditure he thought that the charges
to he made with regard to those two items, and in
article OF coffee and other articles, TO which the Pre-
sident of the Board Of Trace to call the atten'
ton Of the house, would be productive Of advantages
to the commerce OF the country beNond any mea'
sures that had been brought forward in his time;
changes effected not only without detalca,ion, but
with increase OF revenue; changes by which not
lony would our commetcc be Increased, but the
working man, who had hitherto been neglected,
would have the means of earning his livelihood, and
would not be driven 10 depend The poor laws. or
any other dependence; and he would tell the noble
lord who had charge OF the poor law bill that
much of the clamor that distracted the county
much Of the complaint against tho amended poor
| laws-woud never have been brought forward II
the government had, two or three years ago. when
the bill was brought in, offered the measures now
proposed; and il, when they threw the working man
on his own resources they had at the same time
| thrown open the markets OF Europe for their food,
and the markets of tho world for their industry
thus enable them to free themselves from the tram
mels ofthc workhouse. (Hear hear.) No people
| IN any part of the world labored like Engiishmen,
and il not hard that destructive laws should be
allowed TO exist deprive him ofthe means Of labor,
and Of food its reward lie was glad TO hear the
right honorable member for Tampworth, on FORM
er OCCASION state that he did not object TO recon-
sideration of the corn laws, and hoped that now,
when the occasion offered, c would not dIsappoint
the just expectations OF the people on this head.
He obliged tn the Chancellor Of the ESche-
quer for the promises he held out in favor OF an en-
larged free trade, and he hoped that in treating of
this important subject the honorable gentleman OPP
positc would treat It great national question.
and not rs party question. (Hear, heAr) For
his part, he was prepared To take the right honofa-
bic serteman's promises in the spirit IN which they
were given, having no doubt that, in the end they
would result in the increased happiness and pros
per;y Of the country.
Lord John Russell. With regard to the general
principles on which the Government propose to
act, stated before the house adjourned for the Eas-
ter holidays, that we had made up our minds as TO
the change which twas necessary to effect in the
regulations of trade. | do believe that, sound
those principles are which we mean TO proceed,
unHnswcrable as the theoretical Arguments
which have been urged by grea: writers and states
men as applicable TO them, this is the occasion, and
the critical has arisen In the affairs OF this
tion which require the application OF those prinei-
pies. (CheerS.) Not only has an opportunity
been presented for prudent application OF those
principles; not only can you enjoy the advantage
of m turely considering the laws which have hiih-
erto prevailed on the subject, but this Is the paT-
cular time that great miscnefs great per-
lis, can lie avoided by your settlement Of this ques-
ton. (Cheers.) And If you determine, will not
say To adopt this proposition or the other, but you
corn as that which mean TO submit; If you deter
mine 20 make no change in the commercial policy,
but To stand by the principles OF monopoly and eN-
cluSon, tins is the particular time that such course
will have an influence, and most unfortunate in
fuence, the prosperity of this country. (Gheers
Thus persuaded as the government has been, ana
as stated they were on former occasion, 1t will
be for my right hon. friend (Mr Lnbouchere, We
suppose,l to proceed with his propositions at
ly period as will be consistent with their due con-
sIderatIon, and for me TO submit the measures on
the corn laws of which have given notice. trust
that what have said as to the gene al principles on
which mean to proceed will rather have 4 good
than prejudicial Cfc; and if | expose myself TO
the disadvantage OF giving the effect Of the
without urging the grounds and reasons which It
is supported, must be content
MIR Lahouchere said he did not rise TO trouble the
House with any heightened observations on q cues.
ton which had already been fully discussed, the
more so as he would have many future opportuni.
ties for expressing his opinions. But in the
Of The discussion some remarks Of a general nature
had been made, which imposed on HIM the neces
sity ofrequestnE the indulgence of the committee
for few moments. The noble Lord, the member
for Northumberland, had asked the government
whether they brought forward the duty on corn as
an isolated question, or rs dependent on and con-
nected with the general principles they intended TO
propose for the adoption of the house. To that
question, he MIR l. was prepared TO give distinct
answer. He thought it had been already distinctly
~
Exchequer, that government. in proposing TO revise
the duty corn, did not do 50 merely with refer
ence TO that single question, hut that inasmuch as
they had come TO the conclusion that IL necessa
~ for the great Interests OF the community that the
whole commercial system should be revised, IL would
be both unjust and impoiItIc TO attempt such reyi-
sion without in the first instance graphing with
the greatest difficuIty-namelS the duty on corn
(Hear, hear.) Indeed, he should be ashamed OF
the position in which Government would stand
Al lilo lgg In 81.
featuring Interests by changes which might in
hct temporary injury on certain classes OF the
community, they should shrink from this ques-
ton, merely because the great interests connected
with II might raise powerful opposition. He
thought that If government had pursued that course
they would have been open to the reproaches OF
the house and of the country. Some remarks had
been made to his right hon. friend having made
the eorn-law budget question. As n mere cues.
ton of revenue his right hen friend had not brought
It prominently forward; all lac had said was that
while dealing with great commercial questions
while recommending great fiscal alterations, he
could not ask the house to III pose tax,s; to vote
money which he had hopes he should be pble to
raise by some of those alterations. Hear, hearl
Incidentally, therefore, hi, question, became budget
question, butt would have TO be considered in CON
junction with many others which had not vet been
alluded to-consdered with the utmost care and
deIberation. All he (Mr LabOuchere) hoped was
that, having arrived at great crisis speaking not
show an intention Of acting in the right direction
Some hon. gentlemaS had alluded To the report
o! the import duties committee, and seemed |
TO suppose that some great machinery had. been !
put motion 10 spreld that report throughout the
country. He knew what the feelings WIS on the
subject throughout the country. There never mad
been more intense, more general feeling although
that feeling had not been inhimed 10y any popular !
defamation. lie could assure the house, and he ap-
pealed Tor corrobOratIOn TO those hon gentlemen op
poste, who were connected with the manufacturing
and commercial interests Of the country, that the
meetings which had taken place the subject had
not been Of party character, but had consisted OF
men OF all shades ~ politics, who had merged Oh thar
differences IN anxiety Tor The general good (Ienr
hear, hear) Wus II 10 be supposed for a moment
that the merchants and manufacturers Of England
were such ignorant men as 10 propose great and i'm
portant change merely the report Of a commitree
OF the House Of Commons2 IL was not the opinions
Of the witnesses, but the statements and the figures
they brought forward that produced the effect enr
iromLOrd Slndon.) kis noble friend opposite cheer.
ed. lie (hr L,bOuchere) thought that mary stnie-
ments ~ the report were wild aud exaggerated hut
many Of them, he must also say, were exceedingly
valuable lie would remind the house Of a nation
which had been preseuied-n petition winch, from,
be signatures which were attached to u, deserved
the serious consideration Of the house. A. i, was
exceedingly short he would draw the attention Of the
house 10 It's contents. The petitioners stated that
the present diefentinl duties we're injurious TO our
commerce, and pressed heavily on the consumer
while giviugan undue protection 10 our colonies lnd
they concluded by praying for n revision Of those
duties That was rational petition, md irthe house
would look 1.-THE signatures attached, they would sec
al "a