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November 27; 1852.] THE LEADER. 1127
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The Parliament Oe The Week. Tjast Week, ...
The Chakcelior of tlie Exchequer -met tins cli wjth more than his accustomed air of bravado in nianner , sometimes amounting to insolence , and more than his usual evasiveness . TTo denied point blank that they were there to discuss whether Protection or Free-trade should be repealed or fliiDPorted , but whether Ministers have fulfilled the pledges ther gave to Parliament and the country— (<; ries of " " and . cheers)—and Whether they have frankly stated the at which they have arrived Villiers said
conclusions . Mr . that " enormous mischief" had been done to the country by the condueffof the Protectionists since 1846—if that be true , let the House of Commons announce that it has no confidence in the men who have perpetrated this enormous mischief . ( Loud cheers . ) Having said this , Mr . Disraeli quitted the issue he had raised , and digressed far backward in the history of tho last six years to show that in the perpetration of the enormous mischief the Protectionist had not been alone . Tien they objected to the repeal of the laws
^ V Corn- , they did so on two grounds—that it would injure labour , and another important interest ; and in 1850 , he himself had expressly stated that it was a labourer's question or it was nothing . He then sketched the progress of the repeal of the sugar duties , and the navigation laws , saying that the Ministers who repealed the Corn-laws did not agree with the Minister who repealed the sugar duties ; and that since 1847 , they had been mainly engaged in discussing or legislating on distress , either in the colonial , the agricultural , or the shipping interest . And here followed a specimen of the manner in which this speech was
delivered—Kow let me put this fact before the house—convenient for some no doubt to forget , but the accuracy of which will not be questioned b y the experienced members of this house , and which it will be well for those who are not experienced in this house to remember . From the time which since the repeal of the corn laws has passed down to this present moment , there has not been a single attempt made in the House of Commons to abrogate the measure of 1846 . ( " Oh , oh , " and cheers . ) Well , but one advantage of discussion in this house , I must tell to the honourable gentleman who has taken his seat to-night for the ftst time , is that everybody who has anything to say is entitled to offer his remarks . ( Laughter and cheers . ) I have made that statement , and the honourable gentleman
• who forms his opinions from the tumultuous vociferations of the platform , will find when he comes into the House of Commons the necessity of being a little more accurate in his statements ( " Oh , oh , " and cheers . ) I repeat the statement . I repeat it on behalf of the party who have perpetrated enormous mischief . I repeat the statement , that from that moment to the present there has not been a single motion in this house—at least with tho sanction of that party—there has not been a single motion made to return to that protection which has Tbeen attacked to-night with such unnecessary vehemence . ( Cheers . ) And they had not brought forward a motion because , as they had laid down the principle that injury to the labourer , not the agricultural
interest , should form the ground of opposition 1 o repealso tlieve were no facts showing that the working classes had been injured . " Wo never thought it our duty , when in opposition , to make a motion which should question tho policy of tho law of 1840 . " What course had been pursued with respect to tho sugar duties ? After they were repealed , a committee was appointed with only three Protectionist members ; and tho report of that committee was so strong that Lord John llussell had been compelled by it to auk leave to bring in a bill to suspend tho change in tho duty , and prolong the protection he had just taken away . ( Loud cheers . ) So that neither with respect to the corn laws , or the sugar duties , or the navigation laws , had tho Protectionist party endeavoured to disturb tho decision of Parliament with respect fo thorn .
Tlus farmers did not feel the effects of repeal in IS 17 ; hat in 1 . 850 fht ! pinch came ; and Mr . Disraeli insisted , with great gravity , that at that time tho loaders of tho party would not , loud themselves to tho cry of the fanners , who demanded tho restoration of protection , on t lie ground that , tho labourers had not boon injured . They told tho farmers that if they wcro injured by free trade , they Khould look lor redress ( o remedial legislation ; and accordingly , in IHfil , ho hud brought forward a motion respecting tho incidence of taxation on the cultivators of tho . soil . That wan lost by only ten votes , and that motion shook tho Oovermnenl , out of otlice . From this topic ho wns naturall y led to defend Lord Derby , alleging the ineredihle statement that " Lord Derby wiih at , the head of a party
m Parliament , one princip le of whoso policy wiih , that it Would he unwise and injudicious to disturb the repeal ol tho corn laws " - -whereat tho house laughed heartily . When ho wiih called to ollice in lHf > l , ho laid it , down , that nothing could justify a return to tho abrogated system , unless ) the labouring elnsses were largely and permanently MiiU ' i'i-ing ; hut , ho proposed a countervailing duty . "A v ory moderate duty wiih proposed by . Lord Derby -ho did not , attempt to disturb the question that , hud once been H (> l , tlod . ( Ironical cheering and laughter . ) 1 conic , then ( renewed laughter . ) . Sir , tho policy of Lord . Derby ban hoon ex plained by himself in his jiluce in Parliament . Unit , iipeeeh remuiii ' » on record , which mi uninformed urieor will certainly not disturb . "
I'onl Derby tailed to form a ( . Joverinnent , find Mr . 1 'innioli , suspending liis resolution on ngrieull ural laxaj" > n for , Unit your , lor fear of ngnin upset ling tho Whigs , ( oukod forward to a dissolution . H » l , 'he Whigs loll from "' lerniil dissensions , and wished the Protectionists to ? " enpy their places , and , as men of common spirit , they j' » ild not-pe fuHo . Then it , was that they promised to innko ' ¦ " > ilecision () f the country in the coining Nunnner a final <>< ' < 'iKioii on tho disputed ' question . And in that , mission U'oy earried those two highly successful measures - tho Mil-tin Kill and Chimn-ry Keform . Havim ; - sketched out , ' "' ft < : < M of the IVofuotionistH with rospoel to tho sH . flol » onl . of 1810 . ho anted what hud boon tho conduct of tho
sections of the opposition ? Why , that distinguished statesman and accomplished debater , Mr . Gladstone , had supported his proposition for remedial legislation , and therefore become a party to tho perpetration of the enormous mischief . '' In answer to those who charged us with trying to obtain protection for the farmers under a disguise , Mr . Gladstone 6 aid , ' thought in this proposal there was an actual obstacle to the revival of protection ; ' ' that the present motion , if not perfect justice , was an approximation to justice . ( Loud cheers . ) ' It was said the poorrato was a tax inherited by the landed interest , and that their property having come to them on this condition , they had no claim to be relieved from the payment . How did the matter rest with respect to their inheritance ? They did inherit poor-rates with their land , but they also inherited with it a protective system . ' " ( Vehement cheer 3 from the Government side of the house . )
Again , on tho sugar question , Mr . Gladstone , " greatest light on this question , " had admitted that the sugar producers had been ground down to total ruin by the legislation of that house . ( " Hear , hear , " and loud cheers . ) And in the debate on the navigation laws , Mr . Gladstone laid on the table of the House a clause in favour of reciprocity . Therefore the followers of Sir Robert Peel concurred in the policy of tho protectionist party . ( Vehement cheers . ) The speaker then made a similar point against Lord John Ivussell , by showing that he had actually admitted the existence of agricultural distress , and not only that , but ho had recommended her Majesty to sympathise with them . ( Cheers . )
I have shown you that on three great subjects of recent legislation , on which we have solicited the attention of the House with regard to the injury inflicted on . particular interests , we have the authority of all the followers of Sir Eobert Peel , of tho late Government , and all their followers too . ( Cheers and laughter . ) I admit there is a party in this House , though it may not be a numerous one , which has been consistent ( hear , hear ) , and I admit there is one individual in this House who has been consistent from the beginning , and has a right to make the speech he has made to-night , and that is tho member for Wolverhampton . ( Prolonged cheers . ) I have sat in this House for a great many years with the honourable and learned gentleman , and I had the honour and gratification of his
acquaintance many years before we either of us thought of being in this House , and I always have remarked in him two qualities for which he is distinguished—precision of thought and facility of expression . ( Derisive cheers from the Ministerialists . ) I find no fault with his speech . His speech is the sarno which he has always ' made . ( Loud laughter . ) ~ 1 do not make that ; observation with any feeling approaching a sneer . I mean to say he can look back to the period with self-complacency , to the time when I remember him sitting almost to the last on the benches on this side of tho House , and when , with a command of language only to he obtained by the master of his subiect ,
never omitting a single point , and against the prejudices of all , he denounced the svstem of the corn-laws . ( Loud cheers from tho Opposition . ) There were no cheers then from the followers of Sir It . Peel . ( Cheers . ) There were no enthusiastic adherents in defunct Whig Ministers . ( Renewed cheers . ) On the contrary , the right honourable gentleman the member for Carlisle ( Sir J . Graham ) tlirew his broad shield over tho territorial interest of England ( hear , hear ) , and anybody , I believe , but the honourable gentleman tho member for Wolvorhampton would have sunk under the unequal affray . ( Cheers . ) I honour , respect , and admiro his career , but I cannot agree to his resolution .
He could not ; and why ? Because , ho believed , with all sections of tho Opposition but , one had acknowledged and attempted to alleviate just claims to relief . Therefore they could not accept the resolution . IFe defended tho course pursued in proposing the amendment . When Sir Koberfc Pool took oflice , in IS . 'Jfi , ho expressed his determination not to disturb tho . Reform Hill , although ho did not npprovo of it . And what , would now bo thought of a party who , supposing tho followers of Sir Robert Pool took
oflice , should propose a resolution affirming Hint , ( Ik ? Keelo-Miiaticul Titles Hill was a wise , just ., and benelieenf measurer They had frankly stated their intentions as to thefuture ; they mig ht ; have moved the previous question ; but neither he nor his colleagues would consent ; to be Ministers on sulferanee : but , neither would they without , n struggle yield to the attack to which they h ; id been subjected , lie appea . lt ! 1 to the new members at , tho close , forgetting ho had been insulting them at tho commencement .
1 will not behove , remembering that , this is a new Parliament ; ,- that those who enter it for the first , lime , have nlroatly in their consciences recorded their votes upon tliis quest . ion . I believe that they havo listened in a spirit , of justice and candour to ( hi' pirn . I have put . forward tonight- It . is to thoHO new members u third of the house on whichever side they sil , that , I nppciil wi ( h conlideuce . They havo entered ---ninny of Ibeni idler much longing--they havo just , entered Unit , scene to whicK they havo looked forward with so much earnestness , . suspense , and interest . I have no doubt they nre animated by a noble ambition , and wish to realize many of t hem lordly aspirations . I can Pay from the bottom of my heart , wherever they nit , I ( rust , Ihov miiy not , bo disappointed . Whatever adds to the worth , intelligent *!; , and eloquence of tho House , adds aluo to I ho consideration of t he ijtg . ' . 'Te-. jule , nnil wo art < all of us interested in inn minium //; I . ho moral
and in lollcotuid predominance of Uio llouso of . ( ominous I appeal to the generous and young , and iisk jlhcni when they are at last upon tho threshold of the Hfirnnfe , not , to beeonio the tools or the victims of exhaustcdl factions , or obsolete politics . ( Loud cheers . ) / . lie moved tho following amendment / followed 1 > y loudYlU'CTH :- - / " That this llouso acknowledges , with fdpiisfiM'tioii , that tho cheapness of provisions , occasioned Ljiy recent , legislation , bun mainly roiif . rilml . od to improve * / tho condition and increauo tho comforta of tho working , classes ; and that ,
unrestricted competition having been adopted , after due deliberation , as the principle of our commercial system , this House is of opinion that it is the duty of the Government unreservedly to adhere to that policy in those measures of financial and administrative reform which , under the circumstances of the country , they may deem it their duty to introduce . " Mr . Bright admitted tho adroitness of the Chancellor of the Exchequer , who had sought to go off from the real question , and fasten on individuals . The matter was , however , too important to be settled by
recriminations . He denied that cither the words , the principle , or the , intent of the resolution and amendment , were the same , for whereas the one proclaimed Free-trade to the country and the world , the other left room for complaints of injury and injustice and claims for compensation . After citing' some statistics to show the advantageous working * of Free-trade , and denyingthat the agriculturists had been really injured thereby , he read a variety of extracts from hustings' speeches made b y supporters of Government , in order to show how they clun < z to the idea of Protection . This series
of quotations , enlivened by humorous sarcasms , kept all parts of the House in continuous roars of laughter . The extracts from the Protection addresses , of members of the Government especially , told upon the House . The last was from a speech by Mr . Herries in the height of the election , when the party was thought to ba making great way . Mr . Hurries , after enumerating the triumphs at Grantham , at Grimsby , at Boston , and at Lincoln , said— - " ' We may willingly accept the challenge and abide tho issue . ' Why don ' t you ' accept , the challenge and abide the issue ? ' ( Opposition cheers . ) Why don't you , instead of losing character with your friends in the country—why
don ' t you , instead of destroying all reputation for morality ( renewed cheers )—when you have a seat on that bench , why don't you , in a manly manner , fall in defence of those out of doors , who , though mistaken , have nevertheless trusted you with a fidelity that can never be exceeded ? ( Cheers . ) Come to this side of the house , clear off your old errors , and if there be any question on which you can displace those who succeed you , do it as factiously , as earnestly , and as speedily as you can . ( Hear , hear . ) Now , my object in reading these extracts was to show that it is not cmite so apparent as some hon . members seem to imagine that we are all agreed on this question . ( Hear , hear . ) I do not believe— -whatever the Chancellor of the
Exchequer may have said with regard to his own opinions upon the policy of the Government—I do not believe that your followers ( addressing the Ministerialist leaders ) are free-traders ; and , not being free-traders , how can they have any confidence in you , if they are sincere and you arc sincere ? ( Hear , hear . ) Or how can we havo confidence that you will guard the citadel of free trade , and carry out a free trade policy for tho future , when wo know that three-fourths of those who keep you in office are os much opposed now as ever they were to tho policy which wo advocate ? ( 'Hear , hear , ' and cheers . ) But thcro aro other testimonies besides these extracts , I havo here a circular which was sent ; to mo tho other day containing a
long list of subscribers to a publication of an English translation of a speech-of M . Thiers . It ; is dated Nov . 2 , 18 . 52 ; therefore it ; is a very modern product ion . Now benr in mind that this is a speech of M . Thiers , one of tho greatest speeches perhaps that ho over made , delivered last ; year in favour of protection . Wow who aro tho subscribers ? . Let ino observe that , when a man subscribes ) pnly for himself lie generally limits his subscription foono copy . In this case the first , subscriber is 'Tin : National ISociety for tho Protection of Kril . ish Industry , ' 100 copies ( laughter ); tho Right lion , flic Karl of Derby , It ) copies ( ' hear , hoar , ' and cheers from the Opposition ) - —remember ( bis is Mince tho ( Jiovenimont came , into ofliec ; — I he Kii'lit
Jlon . the . Karl of Walmoshury , 10 copies ; tho Right . Mori . . Mr . Wnlpole , 10 copies . The number increases in proportion fo the audacity displayed in avowing I ' roloelionisL opinions , and hence , we ( hid Sir Kifzroy Ivellyilown for'JO copies . ( Laughter . ) Then , the rule being st ill consistently observed , we find tho . Marquis of ( iranby subscribing for ' 10 copies ( renewed laughter ) ; and then , dropping down tt > the modi-rule slate of the political thcrintmiol . cr , \ vn perceive the lion , member for North Warwickshire ( Mr . Newdeguto ) subscribing for 'JO copies . Very fortunately
( he ( 'hanccllnr of tho Kxehcquer ' s name is not amongst them . ( ' Hear , hear , ' and laughter . ) All these copies , however , aro subscribed for . The work is a translation ol n . speech of M . Thiers , to be circulal ed unionist , the inaiiufucturiiig i ' vet- traders in this country . I havo observed I hnl . here is the name of Lord Derby . I find these words 'To which translation has been added that of a nolc on Russian wheat , ; ' and , considering what . Ilia ! , noblo lord knew about , Russian wheat a , few years ago , I I bink almost , any book that , ho could read on ( ho subject , would add to his information . " (( a rent laughter . )
lie I lion said tliat , ; i clear and ( iiml verdict was demanded on tho Fnv-trudn quoslion- - ( . hut tho words of fho anit'iidnient did not convey this , anil had lii'eu framed to bo misunderstood—anil he earnestly urged tho llouso to put on its books a record which could not , be mistaken , and which would have a , beneficial eflccf , in promoting I'Yec-f ratio throughout the world . After a tribute to the lalo Sir Ifohert I'eel , ami to his behaviour when he thought it rig id , to change his policy , he contrasted t he departed statesman ' s conduct with tlml , of the chivalrous Lord Derby . lit ! answered Mr . Disraeli ' s allegation that his party bud never sought to unsettle l'Yee I , ratio policy , by declaring that , lor « ir yearH , their agitation luul been composed of vituperutiou
November 27; 1852.] The Leader. 1127
November 27 ; 1852 . ] THE LEADER . 1127
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 27, 1852, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_27111852/page/3/
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