The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-23
9995

hear that which would not have been then
denial Of comforts almost equal TO the neeessa-
rles Of life would be severely felt now, hear,
hear.l There would be much more real suffering
sustained in 1876, after the enjoyment OF three
years Of comparative abundance, by the people now
being put upon anything like short allowance of
food, than there would have been under similar cir
cumstances in l643. Now, advise that we do not
check the genu current Of prosperity which has 80
long prevailed, [hear, hear, hear We have had
three abundant haryests. Now, do not mistake me.
am not insensble to the advantages Of plenty aris-
ing from the abundance Of home produce, which the
bounty Of Providence may favor US with, do not
say that any importation of corn from foreign eoun-
tries can supply or compensate for tbs advantages
we derive from the abundant haTyests of our own.
But ! ask you to consider whether not such
consideration foTmss reason why;if there be danger
Of a deficient supply at home, We should not remedy
the evil as we can, by permitting importation from
abroad cheers was told the other day that, ia
the instance of battalion Of the guards, quartered
here, great increase in the number Of applications
Tor the Through granted 10 private soldiers had taken
place within the last three years. inquired what
vas the reason. The house may think the anec-
uote uh'ng, but confess IL made great impression
upon my mind. | told, say, that the reason
lor the rapid increase in the number Of applications
ior iurough-In fact, for twice the number Of sol
d'ers applying IN le4S for the privilege than had
sought Tor II IN previous years-and the num-
Der OF applicants Is still on the increase, |
Was told, | say, sir, that the reason was
this-that the friends Of these soldiers were
at present IN such comfortable circumstances
that the men were constantly receiving invitations to
pass some time In the country with their relatives
and thai II was IN this manner that the increase was
TO be accounted for. Hear, hear, and some laugh
ter Sir, honorable members may think the mat
ter ulhnE, but It seems TO striking instance Of
the moral advantages produced by the command Of
an abundant supply of food. We see abundance
here facilitating the intercourse Of kindly alee-
4 A mil fhnaa gha H.rt
ded In periods OF difficulty and dlstTess-permiring
the soldier TO visit his home, and then TO return,
hope, imbusd with feelings which would qualify him
Tor the sun better performance OF his duty than
those with which he had for time left IT, lCheers
and laughter. Now, was asked the other night
why am disposed To disturb this state Of prosper-
~ TO which allude. Tory cheering | was told
the other night that had admitted that, during a
period Of three years, there had been comparative
abundance and comparative pTosperity=thAt that
abundance and prosperity had co.exsted with the
eorn-lAw of lS+2i and where, then, was the neees-
sny for disturbing the arrangement then made
| rory cheering.l Sir, my answer is this: That up
70 he monh OF October last indications Of the pros
pen'y IN question did exist but that during that
month, and for the two three which have elapzeJ
since, there has been apparent sympaihy be-
tween the prosperity Of the ulacturing districs
aud the price Of wheat. Hear, hear One of the
circulars issued from Manchester, containing an ac-
count of the state Of trade IN that town. and dated
the 22d Of the present January, contains the follow
ing passage: The anueIpations which Yentured
to make in our last annual circular as 10 the pros
poets OF the year we had then Just entered upon,
were fully realized for the frat nine months du-
ring which we enjoyed not only u continuance Of
the prosperity of 1874, but had reached to a degree
IN our manufacturing history-extend-
ing TO every branch, and acting powerfully on the
social condition of our teemng population. The
causes which combined to produce this state of
things were, as in the former year, steadiness of
prices with demand constantly keeping pace with
the supply low rates for the material abundance
OF money at moderate rate Of interest, with dis
and careful management of our banking
regular and full employment for all
classes Of our operatives, with cheap and abundant
food, and the absence Of any political threaten
ng either our domestic peace foreign relations,
o which may be added the wise and comprehensive
isca measures Of the last session of Parliament.
Jnhappily, we have lately experienced a reverse in
several of those elements Of prosperity, which act
ng on each other, led to a state OF emba rrnssment
under which labored for the last three months of
he year, and still laboring though in mitiga-
ed form. Our home trade demand, up to the end
II September, was on an unprecedentedly large
'cale; but from the above mentioned an al.
most total suspensonrook place for the two lc-
;eedng months, which has been followed since ,, a
moderate business only" And now, Mr.. Greene
hese are the proposals which, upon the
part of her Majesty's government, | offer for
he adInstment-for the ultimate ad ustment-of this
treat question. cannot appeal to any ungenerous
ceilings Of fear-to anything which can unduy
way your minds--as n reason for your lisening
With patience to my propositions There muy bo
igaton, but il is not agitation which has reached
he great mass of the laborng community There
las been total absence of all popular excitement.
admit, therefore, that ii is possible, without, dan
,er to the public peace to continue the existing law
cannot therefore appeal to your fears. But / tell
you that there has occurred great change in the
opinion Of vast proportion of the community on
he subject Of the eorn-aws, loud opposition cheer
Dg; that there exists between the master manu-
acturers and the operative classes a common con-
gicton, which did not prevail in ls42, or in any
previous year, that 1t is for the public advantage
hat these laws shouldb altered, loud cheers;1 but
believe that although there undoubtedly docs pre-
vail that union of sentiment on the subject, | can
not say that there IS coeXistent with it anything but
general contenment, general loyalty, and deepseat
ID confidence in the justice and wisdom of the dec-
lions of this house. So far AS can Judge, the exam
Die which you have set in taking yourselves great
burdens, IN order that you might relieve
he laboring classes from the taxation to which they
we're subject, has produced the deepest impression
md the most beneficial effect. i repeat that | be-
ieve there exists perfect confidence in your judg-
nent and your wisdom. But although this is time
# peace and plenty-although there prevails q per-
ect calm, excepting so far agitation among the
principal manufacturers may interrupt it, hear, and
aughl-although you are now not subject to any
coercion, entreat you to bear in mind that the as
,ect Of affairs may be changed-that we may have
"
rave lately gathered, and that it may be wise to
wall ourselves of the present time for efectng
,dustment--an adjustment which, | believe, must
ultimately take place. and which cannot be long pro-
racted without engendering deep feelings Of ami
mostly between different classes of her Maiesty's
ubjects, [cheers. From the sincere belief which
entertain that that settlement must be brought about
from the sincere hope which feel that, coupled
With the precautionary measures to which / have
eferred it will not infct injury on the agricultural
nterest-from these feelings, and with these feel
ngs, should deeply lament, public grounds ex-
,usively, the failure Of the which, on the
BART of her Majestys government, have on the
present occasion recommended to your calm and
iispassionate consideration I; and recommended,
mind, with feeling, with no interest in the ut-
nate issue, other than that it may prove in the
words Of the royal speech, conducive the malntc
rance of friendly feeling between the different
classes of the community, security for the perma-
renee Of peace, and assurance for tie content
nent and loyalty Of all classes, of all ranks of her