Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-07-21
RICHMOND, VA.
Tuesday Morning, July 81. 1916.
THE FOREIGN NEWS.

Thouob cramped for room by advertisements
,na general news. we have found space Tor
large portion of The splendid speech OF Sir Rooer'
peel in LAYING down The high office which he mas
held Tor FIRE years. We cannot imagine 'noie
noble spec,ace, than when he arose 10 give an
account of his Stewardship conscious, mat lho
he was defeated on 4 particular measure nc "'''
won The lively gratitude Of millions al home anu
abroad by his brilliant victory over the coTn-la"
monopolists. His modest yet manly exposition
of The motives which governed his adminis"a-
lion, and The magnificent results oil his aomesuc
and foreign policy, must strike every reader win
admiration for the statesman and respect LOT inc
man.
lie was at one time a sincere advocate OF the
restrictive sys,em-but experience opened ms
eyes 10 lis crushing evils, and with masnanl'
nous sacrifice OF old opinions and preludiees' ne
stepped forward as the advocate OF the people,
and though surrounded By The most embarrass-
ing obstacles, finally achieved glorious triumph
and established the principles OF free trade tie
relires with the assurance that Great Britain VIII
continue the application OF those principles Which
Tend to produce tree intercourse between every
nalion-lhat, though the burden Of taxation has
been equaizej, and an unjust and severe pressure
removed from many classes OF the British peo-
pie; though The fiscal burcens OF The country
have been greatly reduced, the finances OF The
Government are in prosperous ana bncyahl
state, and The increased consumption OF articles
OF customs and excise, and The general pTosperI-
of the people. have supplied the void which might
otherwise have taken place.
What striking example is here presented i'T
our own Congress! We rejoice To believe that
il will be followed, and that The unjust CONNER
cial restrictions, which now disgrace our statute
book will be pruned down. and new life and VI
cor given to agriculture commerce, and, indeed,
all The interests Of The nation. While Great Bfi-
tain has made such bound forward in liberal
commercial intercourse, We cannot believe that
The American Republic will adhere 10 the preJn-
lices and mischels of the restrictive system.
We ask particular attention 10 the beaulliul
compliment 10 Richard Golden The great re-
former and the master-spirit Of The Free Trade
movement II is more 10 be valued than The rich
est coronet in the kingdom.
Sir Rober, Peel's exposition OF The Oregon set
Element is full Of interest
The whole speech is indeed noble vindica-
ton Of nearly bis whole policy. We regret that
we are forced TO make an exception oil his perse-
verns in the Irish Coercion Bill, which pre-
sents The most cdious features, and which finally
wrecked his administration. We have seen II
stated that to secure The vote OF the Lords Tor The
ami Corn Law Bill il was necessary 10 press the
Irish Coercion Bl-and Peel himself advocated
il On the ground, that ii necessary Tor The re-
preston OF outrage and protection Of life, ard that
resistance TO the conlasion OF crime, and The
vigorous repression By law Of The offences which
disgrace some parts OF Ireland, would tend TO i'm
prove the social condition OF thatcounry-at the
same time avowing his solemn opinion, that there
should be extended 10 Ireland real, substantial
equality, in political and civil rights. But we
can scarcely imagine any consideration which
would Justify So harsh measure.
With The exception of this policy, Sir Robert
Peel. by his triumphant vindicaton, has placed
himself on the highest and iirmes pinnacle OF
fame. His noble and unanswerable doctrines OF
free trade will be hailed on the prairies OF The
West. as in the mcanes, howell of Great Britain,
10 which they will bring abundant and substantial
blessings.