New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-14
THE GOLDEN JUBILEE.
-,~u FUNERAL BAKED MEATS SERVED
As AFTER-DINNER ORATORY-A
TRIBUTE TO MR.. CLEVELAND.

London June 2S
~. afteth anniversary of the repeal Of the
-, laws was celebrated last night by the Cob
-, club at jubilee dinner with funeral baked
.,. large and distinguished company as
'.-,h,ea at the Ship Hotel. Greenwich. In excel
-. snrits for the boat ride down the Thames
The House Of Commons had been bracing
celebrating There were over 200 plates
IA and the dinner was we'll cooked and ad-
-,-ably served; the daughters Of Mr.. Golden
"a Mr. Bright graced the board; Mr.. I. G.
s,nsrman sat between Lord Kimberley and NJ.
v,.s Guyot with a beamng face unclouded with
~. prospect Of being compelled to choose In a
..w months between Mr.. Mckinley and sill
.,,te candidate for the Presidency; Lord Play
..,r Lord Farrer Sir Wilfrid Dawson. Sir
charles Dixie. Mr.. T. Is Potter. Sir William
w.dderburn. Mr.. Mundela, Mr. Shaw-Lcfevre
and many other veterans of the Free Trade
,royement were in their places; NJ. Leroy-Beau-
ueu. Dr. T. Barth and other foreign guests were
:, the main table; and there was everything to
.,omote good fellowship and to aid digestion
.,cept bright and cheerful oratory. Rarely has
n. Speaking at public dinner been equally
doleful and depressed.
Mr.. Leonard II. Courtney was the chairman.
Serious at all times he seemed to be over
~
and delivered prolonged panegyric upon Cob
aenisn without a CLEAN of humor or ray Of
genuine hopefuness. The effect Of his academic
discourse was dispiriting and oppressive; and
nj. fe,low-mourners at the jubilee. Lord Play
fair and Lord Kimberley. took their key from
him and Increased the general unhappiness OF
the company. These three speakers virtually
confessed that the battle for Free Trade would
have 10 be fought over again. for they united in
repelling the assault Of Mr.. Chamberlain upon
the stronghold of Cobdensm and thereby re-
minded their audience that one Of the foremost
champions Of the cause who himself had pre-
sided with eloquence and fervor over Golden
dinner had renounced his principles and re-
beled against the orthodox economic faith
Jubilee ought to be an occasion for mutual con-
rratulation and rejoicing. Not one of the speak
ers at this dinner seemed to be either happy or
exultant The talk was all in the minor key
The speeches were defensive. One orator after
another took up his parable and explained why
Mr. Cobden's predictions had not been fulfilled
and why the Free Trade cause had gone wrong.
Mr. Golden was an optmist who had living
faith In the principles which he proclaimed. His
speeches and writings were vitalized by convic-
ton Of the truth Of his economic gospel. Among
disciples like Mr.. Courtney this faith In Free
Trade seems 10 have degenerated into form
Of fetch worship They no longer argue about
the matter as their leader did with splendid
argumentative power; but with bated breath
they beg every question that Is at issue MT.
Courtney opened his speech with the broad gen.
eralization that fifty years experience had
proved the wisdom Of the repeal Of the corn
laws. and then declined to give the evidence.
1t had been customary, he admitted. to present
comparative figures respecting countries which
had adopted Free Trade and Protecton but this
process had never been convincing, because the
circumstances Of nations differed so materially
He might confess that country was prospecting
under Protection; but 1t was prosperous not be-
cause of Protection. but In spite or II. ne
might also confess that the population and COM
merce of a country might dwindle under Free
Trade. but it would not be in consequence OF
Free Trade II Germany had developed as 1t
had done under Protection. it would have de-
yeloped still more of il had adopted Free Trade
II France had shown vitality and activity under
great trials, she would have been more vital
and active still II she had accepted Free Trade.
The time might come when England's popula-
ton and commerce would decline. but 1t would
not be in consequence of Free Trade. Every
one of these statements was bare assumption
unsupported by evidence: but Mr.. Courtney de-
livered them with an ex cathedra air and de-
cined 10 enter into any argument over them
Mr. Golden would never have exhibited such
fetichism as this.
These assumptions were accompanied by frank
admissions that the pioneers Of Free Trade had
made many miscalculations, and that their
dream. and hopes had not been realized Still,
the prnciple was unalteraby right. and Eng
land would remain Free Trade forever: and the
experience of Germany, France and the United
States during fifty years proved nothing. be-
cause :: was self-evident that every one OF these
Protection countries would have been more pros
porous under Free Trade. II the triumph of Cob
denism has been postponed. there must be no
step backward. They must wait In the fulness OF
faith which overcarne all obstacles. and in the
belief that the truth would in time be mani
tested They must be on their defence against
enemies who appeared under the guise OF friends
and said: 1--WE are Free-Traders. but An
orthodox Free-Trader apparently is to know no
such word as bit" II he uses it. let him be
anathema, for he is not pous and faithful Free
Trader. II the progress Of Free Trade has been
SLOW II has been because there was lack OF faith
in England
Mr. Courtney had been tempted to say that
very day: Lord Salisbury, you want other ma
tons 10 believe in Free Trade; begin by believing
In II yourself. AS for Mr.. Chamberlain's zoll-
verein for uniting England and the colonies In
perfect Free Trade and excluding the rest Of the
world that kind Of policy had been found out to
Be mistake within the United Kingdom fifty
years ago. and was there any reason to suppose
mat ii would not be a mistake in a united En-
plre? If England ever consented to establish
hat kind Of zollverein il would be for the pur-
pose Of putting an end to II as soon as possible
s'e. its accomplishment. But II was double
aced. dishonest zollverein, with Free Trade On
oae side and protection on the other, and 1t has
Iready been condemned by the greatest English
Vhambers Of Commerce and repudated from the
Antipode7
II was at this point that Mr. Courtney became
~ once statistical and momenfarilY triumphant |