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    The Chakcei-xob of the Exchequer met this i w jth more than his accustomed air of bravado in speec soix ) etimes amounting to insolence , and more Tali ' s « sual evasiveness . denied point blank that they were there to discuss V « w Protection or Free-trade should be repealed or whetner ^ wi ie ther Ministers have fulfilled the pledges S ° Jave ' to Parliament and the country —( cries of " " they g r A and whether they have frankly stated the aQ -lusions at which they have arrived . Mr . ' Villiers said C f « enormous mischief" had been done " to the country if the conduct of the Protectionists since 1816—if that be . let the House of Commons announce that it has no * f ' dence in the men who have perpetrated this enormous Mischief . ( L ° cheers . ) Having said this , Mr . Disraeli quitted the issue ho had ' d . and digressed far backward in the history of tho last 1 ' vears to show that in the perpetration of the enormous SU \ £ viiVf the Protectionist had not been alone .

    When they objected to the repeal of the Corn-laws , they d'd so on two grounds—that it would injure labour , and other important interest ; and in 1850 , he himself had " l nressly stated that it was a labourer ' s question or it was othing . 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then sketched the progress of the repeal of the sugar duties , and the navigation laws , saying that the Ministers who repealed the Corn-laws did not agree with the Minister who repealed the sugar duties ; and that since 1847 they had been mainly engaged in discussing or legis-Tfttine- on distress , either in the colonial , the agricultural ,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"Now let me put this fact before the house—convenient for some » o doubt to forget , but the accuracy of which will . be questioned by the experienced members of this

    house , » i which it will be well tor tnose 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 first 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 the sanction of that party—there has not boon a single motion made to return to that protection which has been attacked to-night with such unnecessary vehemence . ( Cheers . ) And they had not brought forward a motion becausej as they had laid down the principle that injury to the labourer , not tho agricultural interest , should form the ground of opposition to repeal—¦

    so there were no facts showing- that the working classes had been injured . " We never thought it our duty , when in opposition , to make a motion which should question the policy of the law of 184 G . " What course had been pursued with respect to the sugar duties P After they were repealed , a committee was appointed with only three Protectionist members ; and the report of that committee was so strong that Lord John Jtussell had been compelled by it to ask leave to bring in a bill to suspend the change in the duty , and prolong the protection lie hud just taken away . ( Loud cheers . ) So that neither with respect to the corn laws , or tho sugar duties , or the navigation laws , had the Protectionist party endeavoured to disturb the decision of Parliament with respect to them .

    Tho fanners did not fed tho effects of repeal in 1 M 7 ; hut in 1850 the pinch came ; and Mr . Disraeli insisted , with great gravity , ( hat at that time tho leaders of the party would not lend themselves to the cry of the farmers , whodeinanded the restoration of protection , on ( lie ground that the labourers had not been injured . They told the fanners that if they were injured by five trade , they should look for redress to ' remedial legislation ; and accordingly , in 1 Hfi 1 , he had brought forward a motion respecting the incidence of taxation on tin ; cultivators of tho soil . That . "Num lost by only ten votes , mid that motion shook tho Cjiovcrniiicnt out of oHice . From this topic he whs naturall y led to defend Lord Derby , alleging the incredible Ktatement that ; " Lord Derby was at the head of a party

    "i I ' arliamoiil ; , one principle of whose policy was , that it Mould ho imwiso and 'injudicious to disturb tho repeal ol the com laws" whereat , the bonne laughed heartily . When ho wan called to olliee in IMfil , lie laid it . down , that nothing could justify a return to the abrogated system , unh'KH tho labouring ' classes wen ; largely and permanently "uttering ; hut , l , o proposed a countervailing duty . "A V ( Yry moderate duty was proponed by Lord Derby ho did "ot atloinpl , to disturb the question that had once been H ( 'l . tled . ( Ironical cheering and laughter . ) I come , then " - —¦( renewed laughter . ) Kir , the policy of Lord Derby hiiH bee ,, explained by himself in bin phiee in Parliament . hat Hpeeeh remains on record , which an uninformed uneer will certainly not disturb . "

    1 'ord Derby failed to form a ( Joverninonl , and Me . J / mnioli , suspending his resolution on agricultural t . axu-! '" »•» for that your , for fear of again upsetting tho Whigs , !<)(> l « ul forward to u dissolution . Hut the Whigs fell from lllt < 'nial dimensions , and wirdiod the I ' rol . eetionis ' ts to * " ' '"P . y their places , and , as men of common . spirit ., they y * " » " <> t 1-efane . Then it was tluil . they promised to make yl (> decision of tint country in the coming summer n . final ' Vision on the , disputed ' question . And in that session V . " . ' v curried thoso two highly successful measures -tho j M'htia Kill and Chancery Reform . Having sketched out , '" <> acts of the Protectionists with rospeet to the settlelu" « t of i « 4 ( . j 10 ayk (; t | wjm ( , hud boon tho conduct of Iho

    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 the 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 said , ' 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 poorrate 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 resjiect to their inheritance ? They did inherit poor-rates with their land , but they also inherited with it a protective system . ( Vehement cheers from the Government side of the house . )

    Again , on the sugar question , Mr . Gladstone , " the 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 the protectionist party . ( Vehement cheers . ) The speaker then made a similar point against Lord John Ilusscll , by showing that he had actually admitted the existence of agricultural distress , and not only that , but he 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 Robert Peel , of the 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 the 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 tho same which he has always made . ( Loud laughter . ) I 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 the House , and when , with a command of language only to be obtained by the master of his subject ,

    never omitting a single point , and against the prejudices of all , he denounced the system of the corn-laws . ( Loud cheers from the Opposition . ) There were no cheers then from the followers of Kir 11 . 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 ) threw his broad shield over the territorial interest of England ( hear , hoar ) , and anybody , I believe , but the honourable gentleman the member for Wolverhampton would have sunk under the unequal affray . ( Cheers . ) I honour , respect , and admire his career , but 1 cannot agree to his resolution .

    He could not ; and why ? Because , he believed , with all sections of the Opposition but one had acknowledged and attempted to alleviate just claims to relief . Therefore they could not accept the resolution . He defended the course pursued in proposing the amendment . When Kir Robert j ' eel took of I ice , in lH . ' i . j , ho expressed his determination not to disturb the Reform Dill , although he did not approve of it . And what would now be thought , of a parly who , supposing the followers of Sir Robert I ' eel took

    olliee , should propose a resolution affirming that the Rocle .-siastioal Titles Kill was a wise , just , and henelieent measure P They had frankly slated their intentions as ( o the future ; they might have * moved the previous question ; but , neither ho nor his colleagues would consent , to be Ministers on sufi'orance : but . neither would they without a struggle yield ( o the attack lo which they had been subjected . He appealed to the new members at . tho close , forgetting he bad been insulting them at . the commencement .

    I will not believe , remembering that this i « n new . Parliament , thul , those who enter it for ( he first time , have already in their consciences recorded their votes upon this question . 1 believe that they have listened in a spirit of justice and candour lo the plea . I have put , forward tonight . It , into I hose new members a third of the house on whichever nido they sit , that I appeal with eonlideuce . They have entered -many of them after much longing ( bey ha . vo just entered Unit scene to which they have looked forward with so much earnest ness , suspense , and interest .. I have no doubt , they are animated by a .

    noblo ambition , and wish to realize ninny ol them lordly aspirations . 1 can say from the bottom of my heart , wherever they sit , 1 I rust they may not ho disappointed . Whalevcr adds to the world , intelligence , and eloquence ol tho House , adds also to the consideration of the ag <; Tegale , and wo nro all of us interested in maintaining- the moral and intellect mil predominance of tho llouso of Commons . I appeal to I lie generous and young , and ask them when they are a I , hint upon the threshold of Iho Senate , not to become tho tools or Iho victims of exhausted factious , or obsolete politics . ( Loud cheers . )

    lie moved ( . he following ainendinenl ,, followed l > y loud cheers : - " That , this 11 ouso acknowledges , with satisfaction , that ( he elionpnesM of provisions , occasioned by recent legislation , has mainly contributed to improve tho condition and iiicrcuso tho comforts of tho working cIuhhcm : 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 the adroitness of tho Chancellor of the Exchequer , who lnitl 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 either the words , the principle , or the intent of tho 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 by supporters of Government , in order to show how they clung 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 tho party was thought to be making great way . Mr . Herries , after enumerating ' the triumphs at Grantham , at Grimsby , at Boston , and at Lincoln ,

    said" ' We may willingly accept the challenge and abide the 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 asspeedilv as vou can . ( Hear , hear . ) JNTow ,

    my object m reading these extracts was to show that it is not quite so apparent as some lion , members seem to imagine that we are all agreed on this question . ( Hoar , hear . ) I do not believe—whatever the Chancellor of tho 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 are sincere ? ( I fear , hear . ) Or how can wo have confidence that you will guard the citadel of free trade , and carry out a free trade policy for the future , when we know that , three-fourths of those who keep vou in oflice arc as

    much opposed now as ever they were to the policy which "we advocate ? (' Hear , hear , ' and cheers . ) But there aro other testimonies besides these extracts , I have here a circular which was sent to me the other day containing a long list , of subscribers to a publication of an English translation of a speech of ]\ i . Thiers . It is dated Nov . 2 , 1852 ; therefore it i . s a very modern production . Now bear in mind that this is a speech of M . Thiers , one of tho greatest " , speeches perhaps Iliat he ever made " , delivered last year in favour of protection . Wow who aro Ihe subscribers P Let nu ; observe that , when a man subscribes only for himself ho generally limits his subscription toono copy . In ( his eiise the first subscriber is 'The Naliomil Society for ( he . Protection of British Industry . ' 100 copies ( laughter ); Ibo Right 1 Ion . the Karl of Derby , 10 copies

    ( ' hoar , hear , ' and cheers from ( ho Opposition ) remeinbei Ihis is sine . " the ( lovernment , -came iiilo olliee ;—' -I he Kiglit Hon . ( he . Earl of !\ lalmesbury , 10 copies ; the ' Right lion . Mr . VValpole . 1 O copies . The number increases in proportion ( o the audacif y displavcd in avowing Protectionist opinions , and hence we lind Sir Eitzroy Kelly down for'JO copies . ( Laughter . ) Then , I he rule being still consistently observed , we lind the . Marquis of ( ii'iinhy subscribing for ' !¦() copies ( renewed laughter ); and then , dropping ( Iowa to the moderate s ! nle of the political thermometer , wo perceive the lion , member for North Warwickshire ( Mr . Newdegale ) subscribing lor'JO copies . Very fortunately the Chancellor of the Exchequer ' s name is not amongst them . ( ' Hear , hear , ' and Inughler . ) All those copies , however , are subscribed for . The work is a translation of

    n . speocn ol' M . I luors , ( o be circulated amongst the manufacturing five traders in Ibis country . I ha \ e observed ( lint here is Iho name of Lord Derby . I find these words 'To which translation has been added that of a . nole on Russian wheat ; ' anil , considering wlint . that noble lord knew about , Russian wheat a Cow years a , go , I think almost , any book lhal , lie could road on ( lie . subject would add to his informal ion . " (( a real , laughter . ) lie then said that , a , clear and final wrdief , was ilenuuuled on the l'Voe-tradc question- -I hat , ( lie words of ( lie nnicndnieni , did not , convey this , and h : ul been

    framed to lie misunderstood-- and he earnestly urged the House to put , on its books a . record which could no ! , In- mistaken , and which would have . a . beneficial •• Heel , in promoting Eroe-lrnde I hroiighoul , the world . AIIor a Iribulc to ( he lafe Sir Robert Peel , and lo his behaviour when he ( bought il . I'ij'ld . ( o change his policy , ho con ! raslod ( he departed slnl . esinan ' s conduct , with that ol" tin ; chivnlroiiM Lord Derby . lie answered Mr . Disraeli ' s allocution ( bat his party had never sought to iinsetflo Erect trade policy , by declaring flint ., lor six years , ( heir agitation had been coinpoHcdof vituperation

    Untitled Article

    Novembe r 27 , 1852 . ] THE LE ADER . 1127

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 27, 1852, page 1127, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1962/page/3/