The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-27

External danger (compettion') gives national
energy, just as the pressure Of the atmosphere
strengthens the animal frame. "-Vide editorial arti.
Gle on war steamers-.Nationai Lleligencer May 25
We introduce the above text from the National
Intelligencer of Monday, to notice the coincidence
of the opinions of its editors with that of the Earl
Of Essex, recent convert to the principles of free
trade, which are extracted from the London Econo-
mist of April 49,
off the progress of the free-rade measures before
Parliament has been somewhat interrupted by the
Easter recess it is at least gratifying to know that
there have been during that period signal evil
dence of the advancement in public opinion in favor
of the ministerial policy and that too in quarters
which cannot but exercise favorable effect upon
the future fate of the bill for the repeal of the corn
laws.
"The speech Of the Earl of Essex to the farmers
club, cannot be read without producing the deepest
emotion Of respect for his ordship's Judgment and
of admiration at his candid avowal of his changed
opinions But Lord Essex does not alone recant
his opinions; he furnishes true and clear an
exposition of his new faith to his audience, that
shows he has been as anxious an inquirer after the
truth, he has proved sincere and honest convert
when it was found. His lordship said:
"'Many of you, no doubt, have been surprised
after hearing me address you not long ago, at the
meeting at ST. Aban's on the subject of the corn
aws-you must have been surprised, | say, to hear
me express the sentiments | have Just uttered.
(Hear.) Gentlemen, own-and l do with a
feeling somewhat akin to shame-that the sent
ments | then expressed were adopted by me at the
time when Providence first cast me among you, pre-
| vious to which period took but little interest in
this subject. | found myself cast among those
whose lot was fixed to the SOIL and whose whole
interest and prosperity dependent the sol,
and at a moment when the subject Of the corn-aws
first became interesting. With that facility which
most people are too apt to show in adopting opin-
ions that apparently favor their own interests,
adopted the opinions Of those among whom | was
classed, and take shame to myself when say that
did so without duly nquirng and fairly consider
ing the subject | continued to maintain those opn-
ions until ! saw that the question was coming to
crisis, and then found after deep consideration and
strict inquiry, that those opinions were erroneous
saw that the crisis would shortly arrive when in
the House of Lords should be called upon to give
vote upon this question; and then felt that my
preconceived opinions, however honest they might
have been, were not sufficient grounds on which to
give vote on this deeply important subject felt
that, as a member Of the House of Lords, | was
bound to reconsider the question-as an honest man
to give an unbiased vote-and, therefore, to devote
the same attention, and give the same good consider
alton to every argument and statement made on one
side Of the question, as, am ashamed to say,
had hitherto given only to those on the other The
result was, that came to the conclusion that the
fears which are entertained on this subject will prove
erroneous
Lord Essex warns the farmers whom he was
addressing, in the following TERMS
"'That prop on which you have been accustomed
to lean for years past, and which you have been ac
customed to consider as conducive to your success
that prop, believe, is about to be removed That
broken reed, protection, which you have long been
accustomed to depend upon, is about to be taken
from you, and therefore think you will agree with
me- that IL ever Il was essential il il now more than
ever essential, that you should exert yourselves.
Hear, hesr.y
"The benefits Of free competition are thus srkingy
contrasted with the evils Of protection to which his
lordship had alluded:
"'Those men who have the courage 70 syow and