Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-01-30
REPEAL OF THE CORN LAWS IN
...-.. ENGLAND .--.


We noticed in our last, under postscript,
that the tory administration, with Sir Robert
Peel at its head, had resigned, and that Lord
John Russell has been entrusted by Her Ma
iesty, Queen Victoria, with the important du-
ty of making up new wing cabinet. The
London papers brought out by the Liberty.
give two or three lists of names, which they
say are likely to form the new cabinet. How
ever this may be, one thing is certain. the to-
ries have gone out. and the wings, with Rus.
sci as first fiddle. have gone in. This is one
of the most important political moves which
has taken place in England for some years;
the more important, as, to the calm observer,
it foreshadows the dawning of an entirely
new state Of things. It points with an uner-
ring finger to the great fact that the landed
-oiigarchy Of England, which, for centuries,
has welded her destinies, will, at no very dis
tant day, be made to succumb to the growing
power and intelligence of the great masses of
the people. I,
The repeal Of the corn laws, or Of duties
imposed upon foreign grains imported into
England, was loudly called for by every prin-
ciple of justice and expediency, too, and Sir
Robert Peel determined that the ports should
be opened, but the Duke of Wellington, one
Of the members of his cabinet, and the very
embodiment Of the aristocracy of England,
dissented; and that, too, after having at one
time given his adhesion to the measure. This
induced Peel to resign, for the current Of pep
ular sentiment runs so high against the corn
monopoly, that he could not think Of holding
his position without granting the boon, and
he could not get his cabinet 20 go with him
Under these circumstances, he rendered his
resignation, and Her Majesty Immediately
sent for Lord John Russell, the leader of the
wings. Russell is an avowed opponent Of the
corn laws. Not more than two months ago,
he wrote letter to one of the leading I.ond on
papers, in which he denounced the whole sys-
tenn. AS matter of course, then, one Of the
leading measures Of the new administration
will be the repeal of these odious laws. Peel,
We should suppose, to be consistent with him
self, will aid the new ministry in effecting this
salutary change. Thus we see that in Eng
land the evil genius of monopoly is destined
to speedy overthrow. Our readers will re-
member that one of the most popular bat most
fallacous of the arguments which was urged
against the repeal Of the tariff Of 40, was that
England taxed every thing we sent to her, and
that we ought to oppose her by counteryailiag
duties. This argument, although it never had
any real force, is now about to be left base.
less. Already has England taken the duty
off our great staple, cotton. and very much
reduced it upon our Naval Stores, and now
there is no doubt but that before six months
the duty upon our bread stuffs will be reduced
to mere nominal one. Would it not appeal
singular that the United States, the pioneer il
every thing that is free and liberal, should b,
behind Englan in the great work of free trade
When we see the very monarchies of Europe
: relaxing their commercial restrictions, shall
we of tn U nited States, still continue to weigh
down the energies of our country.
! But we have every confidence that, afte
the present all-engrossing question of the Or
} egon territory is disposed of, that Congress
will take the taxing power under its revision
and that it will give to the people that whic
they most ardently desire, an equitable reye
nue. tariff. =
: t..t ...E~.T ----------- .s.
ts-.4.g CONVERSATIONAL. ..
Owing to the failure of the mails during thre
j or four days of the past week, we have not bee
o able to keep up with tie Washington news as "
o could have desir d. We received large budg
, ON Wednesday, & aeerexamining it with patenc