Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-05-09

tac psOSiSss NllcH Tue pISscns So o"1
generation are making in the paths which
lead 10 the highest points of civilization.
than the fact that the doctrines OF Free
Trade are daily becoming better under
stood and daily gaining favor, not only in
the minds of the American people. but a
mongst the enlightened and patriotic sub
jects OF European monarchies. In Eng
land, especially, is this happy revolution
i'll public sentiment particularly no,icIble.
In that country the protected class OF The
people is the very reverse of that portion
of our citizens, for whose especial benefit
the odious Tariff of 40 was passed.
There the landed interest is the favored
one. Here the Manufacturing. The
principle is the same. The corn laws of
| England give TO the land owner a Mono
poly of the domestic bread stuff market
Here, the Tariff of AZ gives to the manu-
facturer monopoly of the market, so far
as the articles which he makes are con-
cerned. In both instances but few lndi-
viduals are benefited at the expense of
millions Of their lellow-citizens. For, al
though it might appear at the first blush,
that the corn laws of Eng land, that is those
laws which impose All almost prolIlbltory
drty upon the agricultural products of 9TH
err countries, when transported to the shores
of England. are especially intended 10 be-
neft The farmer, this is not, in fact, the
case. They benefit the Landlords only.
For if the farmer gets high price Tor the
products of the sweat of his brow, he has
to pay an exorbitant rent for the land
which he cultivates. So in this country,
the two or three hundred wealthy capital
lists engaged in manufacturing pursuits alone
reap the benefits of the protection held out
IN the Tariff Of 40. But we rejoice to
think that, in England as we'll as in this
country, the odious system is destined, at
no distant day. to be consigned TO oblivion
by emil ghtened public opinion. The corn
law monopoly cannot much longer with
stand the powerful array oftaIents. as we'll
as numbers with which it is daily attack
ed in the British Legislature, and in the
public meetings of the oppressed classes.
We copy the following from The London
Morning Chronicle, which will shew our
readers what progress those principles for
which the democratic party in this country
have so long battled, are making in Eng
and that country, which, for years past,
has been the hot bed and citadel ofrestric-
tive monopolies
"Gr,,vh Of free trade principles.-The most
pleasing feature presented by the parliament
tary history Of the past six weeks is--the
growing concurrence Of all public men, OF
whatever party, whose opinion has an atom
of intrinsic weight, or is capable of practical
y influencing the course Of affairs. in favor of
free trade principles and policy. We cannot
remember any six weeks of parliamentary
, session more abundant in indications OF the
progress of opinion. Although we are not
aware Of any thing in Lord John RusseI's
previous course on the corn law question,
which entities US to regard his memorable
declaration, that protection is the bane of az
ricnlture, as eyidencing change Of opinion,
(the proposal Of lS4l was avowedly a com
promise. and one which. at the time. the most
ardent free traders were prepared to accept.)
= yet the emphasis with which that declaration
: was originally made on the first night OF the
session, and its repetition on two subseqnen,
occasions, together with the no less emphatic
assent TO the principles and doctrines of Mr..
g Cobden's speech on agricultural distress, may
2 perhaps justify the belief that his Iordshlp
feels increasingly the urgent and instant ext
gency Of the question. We cannot but think
that the process, not cf altered, but of DEEPEN
u ed and streng thened conviction, which the e.
. vents and discussions of recent years are dis
tinctly avowed to have produced in the mind
Of Lord Howicli, must have taken place in Tie
views of others of our leading statesmen.
On the part Of the government, those free
trade dacta TO the utterance of which former
experience has in some degree faml!larlzpd
II us, have been unusually numerous and deci'
;, sIve. In the first week of the session, the
e Premier took occasion to inform the agrlcnl.
r tural mind. that the restoration of protection
is lmposslble,' and TO disclaim having given
- any pledge to the agricultural interest 'incon
: slstent with the principles that he had laid
h down in 1872 When Sir Robert Peel does
take up corn again-and he does not say
!, Wien he will not--then. Of all the various
= principles and sets of principles which have
; varlegated his public life, that of buying ir
y the cheapest market will be the one selected
;. to do duty on the occasion. Not to advert te
the decidedly free trade character of the speech
;. introducing the Budget, it is observable thai
> In the numerous debates and incidental dis
cusslons which have arisen on points more Of
II less bearing on tie free trade question, the
I; weight OF ministerial opinion. talent, and au
thorlty, has not once been throw n, broadly
and strongly. on the side Of protection. Mr.
i Miner Glbson's speech on the economics o
d the sugar question, and Mr.. Macaulay's or
$ It's morals and humanities-like Mr.. Golden:
# on the effects of Legislative pro,ection-are
lett to make their own way with public opin
: lon' without any attempt worth naming, tt
o neutralize the impression. When the mem
e Der for Stockport pledges himself to 'explo1t