Chapter X: Part X (4)

No charge can be made against the country party, that they have precipitately commenced their movement. On the contrary, we believe it would be impossible to find an instance of a vast body of men betrayed by their appointed leader; aggrieved by a course of legislation which they could not prevent, since a direct appeal to the suffrages of the nation was denied; injured in their property; and taunted for their apathy even by their opponents--yet submitting so long and so patiently to the operation of a cruel law which day by day was forcing them onwards to the brink of ruin. The practical working of the withdrawal of agricultural protection dates from February 1849, when that event was inaugurated by a Manchester ovation. In April the price of wheat had fallen to about 44s.--in December it was below 40s.; and then, and not till then, was the spirit of the people fairly and thoroughly aroused. We need not here advert to the foolish and deplorable trash put forward by the political economists in defence of a system of cheapness, caused by an unnatural depreciation of the value of British produce. That such a depreciation could take place, without lowering in a corresponding degree the rates of labour all over the country, and curtailing the demand for employment in proportion to the diminished means of the consumers, was obviously impossible. Nor could the wit of man devise any answer to the proposition at once so clear and so momentous, that the burden of taxation, already felt to be severe, was enormously aggravated and increased by the measures which virtually established a new standard of value for produce, and which violently acted upon the incomes of almost every ratepayer in the kingdom. But it is well worth noting that the leading advocates of Free Trade, previous to the conversion of Sir Robert Peel, cautiously abstained from arguing their case on the ground of permanent cheapness. We have on this point the valuable testimony of Mr Cobden, who repeatedly declared his conviction that the farmers, and even the landowners, would derive a large and direct advantage from the repeal of the corn laws. We have the treatises of Mr Wilson, Secretary of the Board of Control, pathetically pointing out the positive detriment to the country which must ensue from a long continuance of low prices of grain. And finally, we have Sir Robert Peel's distinct admission that 56s. per quarter is the average price for which wheat can be raised with a profit in Great Britain. It was not until all rational hope of a rise was extinguished--until the amount of importations poured into this country demonstrated the fallacy of all the calculations which had been made as to the amount of surplus supply available from the Continent and from America--that any section of the Free-traders ventured to proclaim the doctrine that cheapness, ranging below the level of the cost of home production, was a positive advantage to the nation. It is true that this monstrous fallacy is now maintained by only a few of the more unscrupulous and desperate of the party; and that the Ministry have as yet abstained from committing themselves to so fatal a dogma. They would have us rather cling to the hope that present prices are only temporary, though they cannot assign a single plausible reason to account for the continued depression. They talk, in vague general terms,--the surest symptoms of their actual incapacity and helplessness--of "transition states of suffering," of "partial derangement inseparable from the formation of a new system of commercial policy," and much more such pompous and unmeaning jargon; whilst, at the same time, they refuse to commit themselves to any decided line of action, if it should actually be found that they were wrong in their calculations, and that prices so low as to be absolutely ruinous are _not_ temporary in their operation, but must hereafter prevail as the rule. How often have we heard, on the part of their organs, even within the last two months, joyous assertions that the markets were again rising, and foreign supplies diminishing! Within this last fortnight, the _Times_, emboldened by the continuance of cold easterly winds, and the backward state of the vegetation, prophesied, with more than its usual confidence, a rapid rise and a consequent diminution of cheapness. On the 13th of May, our prospects were thus described:--"Happily just now corn is rising, and we are quite as likely to see wheat at 60s. as 30s. in the course of the year." On the 14th, the journalist again returned to the charge--"Just now the market is rising all over the world, and it seems likely enough that the farmer will soon have, in the natural course of things, what Mr G. Berkeley wants to obtain by a return to Protection.... The same agreeable tidings pour in from all parts of the kingdom, and indeed from all parts of the world." Alas for human prescience! On the 21st, the note was changed, and the bulletin from Corn-Exchange announced that "the trade was dull, and the prices gave way 1s. to 2s. per quarter before any progress could be made in sales." The aggregate average of wheat for the six weeks ending May 11th, was 37s. 1d.--a rate at which no one, not even the most sanguine dabbler in agricultural improvement, has ventured to aver that corn can be raised, under present burdens, without occasioning an enormous loss to the grower.

We do not complain of these calculations or prophecies, however fallacious they may be; but we do complain, very seriously, that Ministers, their organs and their underlings, are halting between two opinions. If cheapness is their watchword and principle, then they have no right to plume themselves upon any rise in the value of produce. We can understand the thorough-paced Free-trader who tells us broadly, that the cheaper food can be bought, no matter whence it comes, so much the better for the community. That is, at all events, plain sailing. But we say deliberately, that a more pitiable spectacle of mental imbecility cannot be imagined than that which is now presented by the Cabinet, who, with cheapness in their mouths, are eagerly catching at the faintest shadow of a rise in prices; and who, did such a rise take place, would be the first to congratulate the country on the improved condition of its prospects! Mr Wilson, who usually communicates to the Premier, in the House of Commons, the invaluable results of his experience, has been blundering on for months in the preposterous hope of getting rid of facts by trumpery and fallacious statistics; and has at last landed himself in such a quagmire of contradictions, that his best friends are compelled to despair of his ultimate extrication. Yet this gentleman is one of those authorities whom we are told to regard with reverence; and whom we do regard with just as much reverence as we would bestow upon a broker's clerk who had set up for himself in business as a dealer in the scrip of exploded and abandoned lines.

It was not until sinking markets, and continued foreign importations, showed as clearly as facts could do that the depression of value was permanent, and not temporary--until the farmers of England found that they were absolute losers in their trade, and that their stock had become unprofitable--until wages were beginning to fall in many important districts, and the means of employment for thousands were gradually taken away--not until all this was seen, and felt, and known, that the suffering interests awoke from their presumed lethargy, and commenced that system of active agitation which, in an incredibly short period of time, has become universal over the face of the country. We shall not particularise the language which was used by men of the opposite party during the first period of the movement. All that insolence, bluster, and menace could do, was attempted by the former leaders of the League, to intimidate those who knew that they were performing their duty to their country and themselves, by making head against the most monstrous system of tyranny which ever yet was devised for the oppression of a free and prosperous people. Mr Cobden had the consummate folly--we need not call it wickedness--to threaten that, if one iota of the free-trade policy were reversed, he would raise up such a storm as would shake England to its centre and thoroughly revolutionise society. And, to the eternal disgrace of the Government be it spoken--the name of the demagogue who had dared to hold such language was allowed by the first Minister of the Crown to stand on a list of public commissioners! Then the landowners were emphatically warned to beware of originating a struggle, from which they might chance to emerge with something worse than a mere depreciation of their property. The warning, though doubtless well meant, was almost wholly unnecessary. The marked and characteristic feature of the new agitation is, that the landlords, as a body, have kept themselves so far aloof from it that their apathy has more than once been made a topic for the severest censure. It was among the tenant-farmers and yeomen of England--we say it to their praise and glory--that this mighty movement began. They saw how they had been deceived and betrayed by those to whom they had intrusted their cause; and the gallant Saxon spirit, never so greatly shown as when roused by a sense of oppression, was exerted to vindicate and champion the rights of their insulted order. The men of almost every county of England spoke out manfully in their turn. By a wise and timely system of organisation, skilfully planned and energetically carried into effect, their isolated efforts were directed into one grand channel of action. The National Association for the Protection of Industry and Capital, under the presidency of that high-minded and patriotic nobleman, the Duke of Richmond, and the energetic direction of Mr George Frederick Young, whose services to the cause can never be adequately acknowledged, afforded a centre and rallying point to the operations of the English Protectionists; and county after county, division after division, town after town, came forward to give new impulse and confidence to the movement. It might have been expected that a feeling so general, so undeniably powerful in itself, might have been treated with fair respect by the experimental party and their organs. The fact was otherwise. The farmers were branded with falsehood, with fraud, with getting up fictitious cases of distress, with ignorance in not understanding their own peculiar business. Last year they had been invited to join the enemy, and to embark in a crusade the object of which was not explicitly set forth; but enough was disclosed to indicate that it boded no good to the maintenance either of the constitution or the public credit, or the interests of society as these have hitherto been acknowledged. They were told to let the landlords fight their own battle, and they, the farmers, would be cared for. Those who held such language had forgotten that, of all known sins, hypocrisy is the one most odious to the English mind. True, if familiarity with hypocrisy could have blunted that finer moral sense, it might have been assumed that the many public examples to be gathered from the history of the last few years, might have overcome that extreme repugnance to deceit which is part of the national character. If so, the Free-traders little understood the temper of the men with whom they had to deal. The proposal of an amalgamation with those who had never scrupled to use the most tortuous and questionable means for the attainment of their own object, was rejected with consummate scorn; and the disappointed agitators revenged themselves by discharging against the agriculturists whole volleys of unmeaning invective.

As if to add to real injury as much insult as the most perverted ingenuity could devise, the yeomen and farmers were publicly and repeatedly told, that the suffering of which they complained was their own deliberate choice. There was plenty of excellent land for tillage elsewhere than in Britain--acres might be had at a cheap rate either in America or in Poland--why not emigrate to those countries, and assist in augmenting that stream of importation which would only swamp them at home? Such was the advice tendered, and tendered seriously, in more than one of the leading journals of the day; and we hardly know whether to reprobate it most on account of its folly or its wickedness. If it was meant as a jest, all we shall say is, that a sorrier or more indecent one was never hatched in a shallow brain. We have not yet, thank God! arrived at such a pass that love of country and of kindred, and those ties which ought to be dearest to the human heart, are regarded by Englishmen as no better than idle and unmeaning terms--we are not yet prepared to abandon our nationality, and receive the fraternal hug from the arms of cosmopolitan democracy. That such insults as these have been felt bitterly, we know; and it is small wonder. Those who coined them knew little of the workings of human nature, if they hoped by such wretched means to deter any one from the path of duty. They have simply succeeded in arousing a feeling which had far better have been allowed to slumber--a conviction on the part of those whom they deride, that the injury which the Free-trading party has inflicted on the community at large arose less from an error in judgment than from a wilful obduracy of heart.

We have spoken thus strongly, because we would fain see less bitterness connected with a contest which is clearly inevitable, and which ought to be one of principle. Men who are in the deepest earnest, and thoroughly impressed with the truth and magnitude of their cause, are not apt to make allowance for the play of ill-regulated sarcasm, or the efforts of a clumsy humour. Still less will they brook such insolent defiance as lately emanated from Mr Cobden at Leeds. To the latter individual we presume to offer no advice. He stands chargeable with having done his utmost to excite a war of classes, and if he fails in doing so, it will not be for want of determination of purpose. But we do say to others, and we say it most seriously, that it is not safe, in the present posture of affairs, to heap insult upon a body of men, comprehending in their numbers the very flower of England's population--a body at all times averse to combination, and to those agitating arts which of late years have been so successfully practised in the towns--a body which never is roused except on occasion of the utmost moment; but which, when, once roused, will never rest till it has triumphantly achieved its purpose.

The movement, which has been so rapid in the south, has also extended to Scotland. A Central Protective Association has been instituted in Edinburgh, comprising amongst its members many of the highest rank and greatest intelligence in the country. Local societies have been formed in East Lothian, Morayshire, Banffshire, Ross-shire, Aberdeen, Roxburghshire, and elsewhere; and, from the communications received from every quarter, we have no doubt that, in a very short while, similar Protection Associations will be organised in every county of Scotland from Berwick to Caithness. From the present Parliament it is now quite plain that nothing can be expected. We never were so unreasonable as to expect that, however strong might be the convictions of individual members--however public opinion and the lessons of experience might shake the faith of many in the wisdom of our late commercial policy--this Parliament would undo the work which was sanctioned by its predecessor. Had the Free-trade question been before the public at the last general election, we might have entertained an opposite opinion. But it was not so. Sir Robert Peel had no intention that the country should have a voice in the matter. He seized the moment when, by an extraordinary combination of circumstances, a majority was at his command, to play into the hands of the enemy, and to complete, by the surrender of the Corn Laws, the furtive scheme of which his tariffs were the mere commencement. That once carried, the nation was unwilling to disturb, by premature opposition or attempt at a reversal, an experiment in behalf of which such weighty testimony had been given. No impediment was thrown in the way--no unnecessary obstacle interposed. The Whig Ministry, who, in their new character of Free-traders, had undertaken the superintendence of affairs, were allowed by the constituencies of the Empire to have more than a working majority; so that, at all events, whatever might be the issue of the scheme, they could not pretend that a fair trial was denied to it. The question now arises, whether the trial has been of sufficiently long endurance. On that point there is no doubt in the minds of the agriculturists, of those connected with the Colonies, of the shipowners, of a large proportion of the merchants, and of a considerable body of the tradesmen. The effect of the experiment has been felt; and that, too, more severely and intensely than perhaps the most determined opponent of the Free-trade policy had anticipated. The movement has been begun, as is most natural, among those who are first in the order of suffering; and who now see, very clearly, that longer endurance and quiescence is tantamount to absolute ruin. Each day swells their ranks by a fresh accession of adherents, whilst the opposite party, defeated in argument, and unable to adduce a single proof of the advantages which they formerly prophesied, are compelled to have recourse to the Janus-like attitude which we have already attempted to sketch, and, when hard pressed, to repeat their sullen refusal of originating a change--for no better reason than that they are ashamed to acknowledge the extent of their error.

From the present Parliament, then, we expect little. Whatever impression may be made upon it by the present unmistakeable ferment abroad, we cannot indulge in a rational hope that it will depart from its original character. Our business is to prepare for a change by that pacific but most necessary agitation, which, if properly conducted, must compel the most obstinate Minister, for his own sake, and in fulfilment of his sworn duty to his Sovereign, to advise that opportunity of an appeal to the sense of the country which is now so generally demanded, and which can scarce be constitutionally refused.

In the following pages our readers will find a correct report of the proceedings of the delegates who were deputed from almost every part of the United Kingdom to assemble in London in the earlier part of May, and to hold a conference on the present alarming prospects of the industrial condition of the nation. We shall not offer any comment on the speeches delivered at the great public meeting at the Crown and Anchor on the 7th ult.--a meeting which has stricken with confusion and dismay those who affected to deny the existence of general distress throughout the kingdom--further than to notice the odious and unfounded charge of disloyalty and disaffection which has been preferred against some of the speakers. That the leading journals opposed to Protection should have made the most of casual expressions uttered by honest men, unused to platform exhibitions, whilst referring to circumstances of almost unparalleled provocation, appears to us nowise wonderful. The journalist, writing at short notice, has a certain conventional license of interpretation; and unless he is unusually stringent or unfair, few people are inclined to quarrel with the pungency of a leading article. But we confess that we were not prepared for the sudden bursts of loyalty which emanated from the Whigs. With the memory of the T. Y. correspondence still vividly impressed upon our minds, we were surprised by the improved delicacy and refinement of tone exhibited by certain parties who are popularly supposed to know something of those famous letters. For their satisfaction, we are glad to inform them that their apprehensions are as groundless as their insinuations are hypocritical. It never has been, and it never will be, a charge against the yeomanry and tenantry of Great Britain that they are cold in their loyalty, or deficient in their duty and devotion to their Sovereign. But when they are taunted and defied by the approvers of republican institutions--when they are told broadly, from the manufacturing districts, that whatever may be the decision of another Parliament, whatever may be the verdict of the electoral body throughout the kingdom--that decision and that verdict shall avail nothing to reinstate them in their former position, but shall be nullified and overwhelmed by revolutionary risings and appeals to physical force--it is not only most natural, but most proper, that they should declare their resolute determination to vindicate their rights, if needful, by all the means which Providence has placed in their power, and to rescue their country from the lawless usurpation and tyranny of those who have been audacious enough to disclose the true nature and character of their schemes. It is perhaps needless to say any more upon this subject; indeed, after the remarks which fell from Lord John Russell at his interview with the delegates, it would be absurd to proceed further in the refutation of a charge which can only recoil with disgrace and ridicule on those who ventured to prefer it. Nor do we think it any matter of regret that the persons who have so often taunted the agricultural interest with their supineness, and drawn unfavourable conclusions as to their zeal from the singular extent of their patience, should at length be made aware that it may be dangerous to trifle with men who are driven by indefensible legislation to the brink of misery and ruin.

The annexed report of the meeting at the Crown and Anchor, revised by the several speakers, will show the unanimity which prevailed, the ability with which the interests of the country party were advocated, and the enthusiasm with which the spirited addresses were received. It was indeed an assembly which will be long remembered after the excitement and emergency which created it have passed away. We need not dwell upon details which are still fresh in the public mind: we shall best perform our duty by making one or two commentaries upon the replies which were made to the addresses of the delegates who were deputed to wait upon the Premier and on Lord Stanley.

The address to Lord John Russell is a document deserving of the most serious attention. It is a broad protest and warning, on the part of the loyal and constitutional people of the realm, against obstinate perseverance in a course of policy which has already proved disastrous to many of the most important interests. After setting forth in clear and temperate language the nature of the measures complained of, it concludes with as solemn a remonstrance and charge of responsibility as ever yet was addressed to a Minister of Great Britain. Lord John Russell accepts the responsibility, which, indeed, he cannot deny; but, without ignoring the justice of the complaint, he refuses the required relief. Perhaps no other answer was expected by the most sanguine of those who formed the deputation, nor should we have done more than simply note the general tenor of the refusal, had not Lord John Russell volunteered a statement which, we humbly think, is by no means calculated to augment his reputation as a minister, and which discloses certain views which we maintain to be at utter variance with the genius and spirit of the constitution. The passage to which we refer is as follows:--"I am sorry to say that I think the conduct of the agricultural, the colonial, and the other interests, was not prudent in declaring that there should be no change in 1841. Still, that was their decision, and in 1846 a much greater change was effected in those laws. In 1847, a general election took place, by which the electors had to decide upon the conduct of those who had taken part in the adoption of these changes; and the result was the election of the present Parliament, which has decided upon continuing the policy which the House of Commons had laid down in 1846. I own I do think it was very unwise, if I may be allowed to say so, in 1841, not to have sought some compromise; but I think it would be far more unwise now to seek to restore a system of protective duties." Here we have the acknowledgment, quite unreservedly made, that expediency and not justice is the principle recognised by Her Majesty's Government. What Lord John Russell said resolves itself clearly into this: "If you, who represent the agricultural, colonial, and other interests, had thought fit to make a bargain with us in 1841, we, in return for your support, would have insured you a certain amount of protection. I think you were fools not to have done so; but, as you did not, you must even take the consequences." We should like very much to know upon what principle of ethics this singular declaration can be defended. To us it appears at utter variance with honesty, fair dealing, and honour. If, as the Free-traders say, the continuance of protection was a manifest wrong to the industrious classes of the community, what right could Lord John Russell have had to effect any manner of compromise? From every Government, whatever be its constitution, we are entitled to expect clear and uninfluenced justice. We know of no rule acknowledged in heaven or on earth, which, by the most forced construction, can justify Ministers in sacrificing the general interests of the community for the advantage of one particular class, or in making compromises between public right and private monopoly and gain. For ourselves, and those who think with us, we declare emphatically that we never would be parties to any such degrading compromise; that we should feel ourselves dishonoured if we were advocating merely the interests of a class; and that it is because we know that we have justice on our side that we are resolute in our present appeal. To talk now of former lapsed opportunities of compromise, is to use the language of a freebooter. It reminds us forcibly of an incident in the life of the famous outlaw Rob Roy Macgregor, who, when challenged for having driven away a herd of cattle belonging to his neighbour, very coolly replied--"And what for, then, did he not pay me black-mail?" The cases are perfectly similar. In 1841 no black-mail was tendered: in 1850, after the depredation has _been made_, we are taunted with not having purchased the favour and the protection of the Whigs!

What right, moreover, we may ask, has Lord John Russell to separate the interests of classes, and to talk of the agriculturists and those connected with the colonies as having taken a distinct and responsible part in the deliberations of 1841? According to the constitutional view, Parliament is the sole tribunal for the settlement of national questions. It is rather too much at the present day to insinuate such a taunt, and to tell the ruined farmer that he has only himself to blame, when, in all human probability, the expected negotiator on the other side, who ought to have made terms with the Whigs, was no less notable a person than Sir Robert Peel! It is difficult to imagine a more detestable and dangerous state of affairs, or one more hurtful to the general morality of the country, than must ensue if these indicated views of the Premier were to pass into general acceptance; and if it were to be understood that individuals, and corporations, and interests, might, on special occasions, effect compromises with the Government, at variance with public justice, with equity, and with honour. We all know what sort of "compromises" were made by Sir Robert Walpole in the course of last century; and evil indeed will be the day when the example so set shall be acted on by a British minister, with this difference merely, that large and avowed "compromises" are substituted for private purchase.

Very different, indeed, was the reception which the delegates received from Lord Stanley. At this peculiar crisis, before the many hundreds of gentlemen who had assembled in the metropolis from all parts of the United Kingdom separated, each to report progress to those of his own county or district, it was determined that a select number of them should wait upon the man to whom the eyes of all were turned as their chosen leader--not only to testify their deep respect for his character and principles, but respectfully to ask advice as to the course which they ought in future to pursue. The universal feeling of the delegates--their confidence in Lord Stanley--their prospects, and the spirit which animated them, were admirably expressed by Mr Layton, who was intrusted with the duty of presenting the address; and the speech of Lord Stanley, which that address elicited, can never pass from the memory of those who were privileged to hear it.

Clearly, rapidly, and with a master hand, Lord Stanley described the position of parties in both Houses of Parliament, not vindicating--for vindication was unnecessary--but guarding himself and those who acted with him against any charge of apathy or indifference in the cause that lay most warmly at their hearts. He explained for the satisfaction of those who, in their impatience, would have precipitated measures, why it was that the leaders of the Protection party had abstained from originating that direct discussion which their opponents, confident in the possession of a majority, were so palpably eager to provoke. Admitting to the full, and deploring the magnitude and prevalence of the suffering which Free Trade has brought upon the country, he did not disguise his belief that a yet further period of probation must be endured, ere the full conviction of the fallacy of those schemes which have passed into law came home to the understanding of the nation. The advice, so cordially asked, was frankly and freely given. "You ask me for advice," said the noble lord--and we cannot forbear again quoting his memorable words, "I say, go on, and God prosper you. Do not tire, do not hesitate, do not falter in your course. Maintain the language of strict loyalty to the crown; and, with a spirit of unswerving obedience to the laws, combine in a determined resolution by all constitutional means to obtain your rights, and to enforce upon those who now misrepresent you the duty of really representing your sentiments, and supporting you in Parliament.... If you ask my advice, I say persevere in the course you have adopted. Agitate the country from one end to the other. Continue to call meetings in every direction. Do not fear, do not flinch from discussion. By all means accept the offer of holding a meeting in that magnificent building at Liverpool; and in our greatest commercial towns show that there is a feeling in regard to the result of our so-called Free Trade widely different from that which was anticipated by the Free-traders, and from that which did prevail only a few years ago. Your efforts may not be so soon crowned with success as you hope; but depend upon it, let us stand hand to hand firmly together; let the landlord, the tenant, and the labourer--ay, and the country shopkeeper--ay, before long, the manufacturer himself, be called on to show and to prove what the effects of this experiment are--and, as sure as we stand together, temperately but firmly determined to assert our rights, so certainly--at the expense, it may be, of intense suffering, and perhaps of ruin to many--of ruin which, God knows, if I could avert, I would omit no effort for that purpose--but ultimately, certainly, and securely we shall attain our object, and recede from that insane policy which has been pursued during the last few years."

We shall not attempt to describe the effect which that address produced upon those who were present--suffice it to say, that every individual there esteemed it a privilege to be allowed to labour in the same cause with the true-hearted, patriotic, and eloquent statesman who had that day so frankly ratified their unanimous choice of a leader, and in whose honour, integrity, and perseverance they reposed the fullest confidence that can be yielded by man to man. Of this our readers may be well assured, that the movement so auspiciously begun will not be allowed to flag; and that it will not be abandoned until the full measure of justice is conceded to all classes throughout the British empire who have been made the victims of a rash experiment, and of one-sided and unjustifiable legislation.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF INDUSTRY AND CAPITAL.

A General Meeting was convened by the above body at the Crown
and Anchor on Tuesday, 7th May, at one o'clock. The great hall
was crowded from one extremity to the other by delegates and
others from various parts of the kingdom. Nearly two thousand
gentlemen were present during the proceedings, whilst many more
were compelled to retire without having obtained admittance
for want of standing room. On the platform were--the Duke of
Richmond, K.G., in the Chair; Major William Beresford, M.P.;
Mr Richard Blakemore, M.P.; Captain Boteler, R.E.; Mr T. W.
Bramston, M.P.; Mr R. Bremridge, M.P.; Sir Brook W. Bridges,
Bart.; Mr L. W. Buck, M.P.; Sir Charles M. Burrell, Bart.,
M.P.; Viscount Combermere, G.C.B.; Major Chetwynd, M.P.;
Colonel Chatterton, M.P.; Mr E. Cayley, jun.; Mr E. S. Chandos
Pole; Mr R.A. Christopher, M.P.; the Marquis of Downshire;
Baron Dimsdale; Mr J. W. Dod, M.P.; Mr E. Fellowes, M.P.; Mr
Floyer, M.P.; Lord Feversham; Mr H. Frewen, M.P.; the Earl of
Glengall; Mr A. L. Goddard, M.P.; Mr Howell Gwyn, M.P.; Sir
Alexander Hood, M.P.; Mr William King; Sir C. Knightley, Bart.,
M.P.; Sir Ralph Lopez, Bart., M.P.; Mr W. Long, M.P.; the Earl
of Malmesbury; Mr W. F. Mackenzie, M.P.; Lord John Manners,
M.P.; Mr J. Neeld, M.P.; Mr Newdegate, M.P.; Mr C. W. Packe,
M.P.; Mr Melville Portal, M.P.; Lord Rollo; Earl Stanhope;
Viscount Strangford, G.C.B.; Sir Michael Shaw Stewart; Lord
Sondes; Colonel Sibthorpe, M.P.; Mr A. Stewart; Earl Talbot;
the Hon. and Rev. C. Talbot; Alderman Thompson, M.P.; Sir
John Trollope, Bart., M.P.; Sir John T. Tyrell, Bart., M.P.;
Captain R. H. R. Howard Vyse, M.P.; Mr H. S. Waddington; the
Rev. Edward Young; Mr P. Foskett; Mr G. F. Young; Professor
Aytoun, Edinburgh; Mr J. Butt, Q.C.; Professor David Low;
Lieutenant-Colonel Blois; Rev. W. M. S. Marriott; Sir James
Ramsay, Bart.; Mr W. Caldecott; Captain E. Morgan; Mr Richard
Oastler; Rev. A. Duncombe Shafto; Colonel Warren; Mr C. Byron;
Rev. H. Franklin; Mr George Edward Frere; Captain Pearson; Sir
John Hall, Bart., of Dunglass; Sir Thomas G. Hesketh, Bart.; Mr
C. G. White, Limehouse; Rev. R. Exton; Rev. V. G. Yonge; Rev. C.
H. Mainwaring; Major Rose; Sir James Drummond, Bart.; Mr Henry
Burgess; Mr Samuel Kydd; Mr Delaforce, secretary of trades'
delegates; Mr John Blackwood, Edinburgh; Mr H. Higgins, &c., &c.

The following is a correct list of the delegates from the different societies:--

BEDFORDSHIRE.

BEDFORDSHIRE.--Messrs Joseph Pain, John Rogers, William Biggs,
Benjamin Prole, Thomas Gell, T. James.

BERKSHIRE.

BERKSHIRE.--Messrs E. Tull, R. Warman, George Shackel, J. J.
Allnatt, J. Brown, Job Lousley, William Aldworth, W. Sharp.

NEWBURY DISTRICT.--Messrs John Brown, Job Lousley.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.

BUCKINGHAM.--Messrs Philip Box and Henry Smith.

AMERSHAM DISTRICT.--Messrs Philip Goddard and Robert Ranshaw.

BUCKS ASSOCIATION FOR THE RELIEF OF REAL PROPERTY.--Messrs
Edward Stone and Edwin W. Cox.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE.--Messrs Alexander Cotton, Edward Hicks, Thomas
St Quintin, Samuel Webb, John Ellis, W. Bennett, John King,
Edward Ball, Samuel Jonas, James Witt, King, John Oslar,
Wilson, Holben, Peter Grain, James Leonard, Samuel Witt,
James Ivatt.

ISLE OF ELY.--Messrs Joseph Little, W. Layton, John Vipan, (High
Sheriff,) J. Fryer, Henry Martin, Thomas Saberton, Henry
Rayner, J. Cropley, W. Martin, W. Saberton, T. W. Granger, W.
Harlock, John Cutlack, H. Martin, Thomas Vipan, John Reid, W.
Luddington, W. E. Reid, John Swift, John Hall, Henry Martin,
jun., George Cook, William Vipan.

NEWMARKET.--Messrs R. D. Fyson (chairman,) P. Smith (vice
chairman,) J. Dobede, W. Layton, G. F. Robins, John Fyson,
William Fyson, Edward Staples, Waller Miles King, George
Dennis, John Lyles King, R. F. Seaber, William Staples,
William Westrope, Thomas Gardner, Robert Fyson, Ambrose
Gardner.

DERBYSHIRE, SOUTH.

SOUTH DERBYSHIRE.--E. S. Chandos Pole Esq., Mr Malins.

DEVONSHIRE, SOUTH.

SOUTH DEVON BRANCH.--J. Elliott, Esq.

DEVON AND EXTER BRANCH.--Sir J. Y. Buller, Bart., M.P., L. W.
Buck, M.P., R. Bremridge, Esq., M.P., Lawrence Palk, Esq.,
George Turner, Esq., R. Brent, Esq., M.D., secretary, Sir J.
Duckworth. Bart., M.P., Edward Trood, Esq.

DORSETSHIRE.

DORCHESTER.--J. Floyer, Esq., M.P., W. Symonds, Esq.

ESSEX.

ESSEX PROTECTION SOCIETY.--Messrs John Ambrose, S. Baker, Jas.
Barker, John Barnard, T. Bridge, Geo. Carter, John Clayden,
J. G. Fum, John Francis, Jos. Glascock, Jas. Grove, W. Fisher
Hobbs, Jos. Lawrence, S. Reeve, T. K. Thedam, W. Yall, S.
Willis, and H. T. Biddell (the secretary.)

ROMFORD DISTRICT.--Messrs Christopher Thomas Tower, William
Bowyer Smyth, Robert Field, John S. Thompson, Major Crosse,
J. Gilmore, G. Mashiter, E. Vipan Ind, W. Haslehurst, John
Bearblock, John Coseker, James Paulin, Hon. and Rev. H. W.
Bertie, Rev. T. L. Fanshawe, Rev. D. G. Stacey, Rev. George
Fielding, Thomas Mashiter, jun., W. H. Clifton, Thomas Lee,
Robert Pemberton, J. Wallen, James Biggs, John P. Peacock,
Henry Moss, T. W. Brittain, James Laming Padnall, George
Hooper Theydon, Richard Bunter, Henry Joseph Hance, Thomas
Champness, Charles Mollett, Richard Webb, James Hill, George
Porter, John Bearblock (Hall Farm,) John Francis, S. B.
Gooch, Frederick Francis, Henry Joslin, Wm. Baker, Wm.
Blewitt, Thomas Surridge, Rowland Cowper, Collinson Hall,
S. R. G. Francis, Daniel Haws, Wm. Freeman, W. Sworder,
Charles Pratt, Daniel Hicks.

GRAYS DISTRICT.--Messrs Richard Meeson, J. Curtis, T. Sturgeon,
Thos. Skinner, Chas. Asplin, Chas. Squier, W. L. Bell, W.
C. Cook, J. Sawell, Richard Knight, W. Willis, W. Stevens,
H. Sackett, R. Bright, J. Nokes, R. Cliff, C. Sturgeon,
R. Ingram, D. Jackson,--Uwins, H. Long, S. Newcome, A.
Causton,--Woodthrope, Rev. W. Goodchild, Rev. C. Day, Rev. H.
S. Hele, Rev. J. Boulby, Rev. J. Tucker.

BILLERICAY.--Messrs Isaac Crush, J. Brewitt, G. Shaw.

GLAMORGANSHIRE.

GLAMORGAN.--Rev. Robert Knight, Captain Boteler, Dr Carne;
Messrs A. Murray, E. David, William Llewellyn, and R.
Franklen.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE, EAST.

CIRENCESTER AND GLOUCESTERSHIRE.--Messrs P. Matthews, Edmund
Ruck, David Bowly.

HAMPSHIRE, NORTH.

ALTON DISTRICT.--Messrs H. Holding, Edward Knight, H. J.
Mulcock, W. Garnett, J. Eggan.

BASINGSTOKE.--Mr George Harriott.

HAMPSHIRE, SOUTH.

BOTLEY AND SOUTH HANTS.--Messrs Edward Twynam, Josh. Blundell,
Caleb Gater, W. C. Spooner.

HEREFORDSHIRE.

HEREFORDSHIRE.--Mr Henry Higgins.

LEDBURY DISTRICT.--Rev. Edward Higgins, Messrs Reynolds Petton,
Thomas France.

ROSS DISTRICT.--Mr H. Chillingworth.

HUNTINGDONSHIRE.

HUNTINGDONSHIRE.--Rev. James Linton, Messrs John Mann, Hammond,
Ibbot Mason, Robert T. Moseley, Geo. Brighty, Peter Purvis,
John Warsop.

KENT, EAST.

EAST KENT.--Sir B. W. Bridges, Bart., Messrs D. H. Carttar,
Edward Hughes, John Abbot, Edward C. Hughes, Rev. Bradley
Dyne, Musgrave Hilton, Charles Neame.

KENT, WEST.

CRANBROOK.--Rev. W. M. S. Marriott, Messrs J. E. King, R. Tooth,
Geo. Hinds, J. E. Wilson.

GRAVESEND.--W. M. Smith, Esq., late high sheriff, Messrs W. F.
Dobson, T. Collyer, Pinching, W. E. Russell, R. C. Arnold, J.
Armstrong, W. Brown, W. Hubble, T. Mace.

ROCHESTER.--Messrs W. Mauclark, W. Miles, C. Lake.

MAIDSTONE.--Messrs T. Abbott, F. B. Eloy, G. Powell.

EDENBRIDGE.--Messrs W. Searle, sen., J. Holmden, Geo. Arnold.

SEVENOAKS.--Messrs J. Selby, G. Turner, E. Crook.

BROMLEY.--Messrs Hammond, Moysar, and Edgerton.

DARTFORD.--Messrs W. Allen, J. Solomon, and Slaughter.

TONBRIDGE.--Rev. G. Woodgate, and others.

WROTHAM.--Messrs Leary, Thomas Spencer, and Charlton.

LANCASHIRE, SOUTH.

LIVERPOOL.--Messrs Richard C. Naylor, II., Clever Chapman,
Charles Turner, Lawrence Peel, Thomas Bold.

LEICESTERSHIRE, NORTH.

LEICESTERSHIRE.--Messrs Perkins, G. Kilby.

WALTHAM.--Messrs John Clark, F. Vincent.

LEICESTERSHIRE SOUTH.

MARKET HARBOROUGH.--Messrs Edward Fisher, jun., Josh. Perkins.

HINCKLEY.--Messrs Matthew Oldacres, John Champion, Charles D.
Breton, Thomas Swinnerton, John Brown, Richard Warner, John
P. Cooke, James H. Ward.

LINCOLNSHIRE, NORTH.

LINCOLN AND LINDSEY.--Colonel Sibthorp, M.P., R. A. Christopher,
Esq., M.P., Mr T. Greetham, Mr J. G. Stevenson.

GRIMSBY.--Mr F. Iles.

CAISTOR.--Mr Wm. Torr.

ALFORD.--Mr W. Loft.

LINCOLNSHIRE, SOUTH.

LONG SUTTON AND HOLBEACH.--Messrs Wm. Skelton, Spencer Skelton,
George Prest.

SLEAFORD.--Messrs Tinley and Nickolls.

LINCOLNSHIRE, EAST.

EAST LINCOLNSHIRE.--Messrs Fricker, Joseph Rinder, jun.

NORFOLK, EAST.

NORTH WALSHAM.--John Warnes, Esq.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.--Messrs Gray, Rogers, and J. Scriven.

NORTHUMBERLAND.

NORTHUMBERLAND.--Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart., Messrs Robert
David, John Ayersby, John Robson, Walter Johnson, Thomas
Smith, H. Wilkin.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

NORTH NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.--Messrs John Holmes, John Walker, T.
Hopkinson.

SOUTH NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.--Messrs George Storer, W. Chouler,
Richard Milward, W. Champion, J. Parkinson, jun., H. Gilbert.

OXFORDSHIRE.

BANBURY.--Messrs S. Lovell, J. Gardner, J. Selby.

RUTLANDSHIRE.

RUTLAND BRANCH.--Messrs Thomas Spencer, Christopher Smith,
Samuel Cheetham.

UPPINGHAM BRANCH.--Messrs Owsley, Edward Wortley.

SHROPSHIRE, NORTH.

SHROPSHIRE.--Four delegates.

OSWESTRY DISTRICT.--S. Bickerton, Esq.

SHROPSHIRE, SOUTH.

BRIDGNORTH.--E. W. Powell, Esq., John Stephens, Esq.

SOMERSETSHIRE, WEST.

SOMERSET.--Messrs Cridland and Bult, John Wood, H. G. Andrews,
R. Hooke, J. Hooke.

LANGPORT AND BRIDGEWATER DISTRICT.--Mr John King, (vice
chairman) and Mr T.B. Morle.

STAFFORDSHIRE, NORTH.

STAFFORD.--Major Chetwynd, Messrs T. Hartshorne, W. T. Lockyer,
C. Keeling, J. Nickisson, J. Aston.

STAFFORDSHIRE, SOUTH.

ECCLESHALL BRANCH.--Rev. V. G. Yonge, Rev. Charles Mainwaring.

SUFFOLK.

EAST SUFFOLK.--Rev. Mr Alston, Messrs John Mosely, N.
Barthropp, P. Dykes, W. Bloss.

IPSWICH BRANCH.--C. Lillingston, Esq. Deputy Lieutenant, Messrs
T. Haward, W. F. Schrieber, J. Garnall, Venn, W. Back, W.
Rodwell, J.D. Everett, Morgan, R. C. Perry, Mark Wade, Rev.
F. K. Steward.

HARTISMERE BRANCH.--Dr Chevalier, Messrs Samuel Peck and Deck.

STRADBROKE DISTRICT.--W. L. B. Frener, Esq., Rev. A. Cooper.

WEST SUFFOLK.--Messrs King, Vrall, Simpson, Woodward, George
Gayford.

COSFORD HUNDRED.--Messrs C. Kersey, P. Postans.

BUNGAY BRANCH.--Two delegates.

SURREY, EAST.

KINGSTON.--Messrs G. Nightingale and Daniels.

CROYDON BRANCH.--Messrs Cressingham, (chairman,) Rowland,
Raincock, Robinson, Walker, and Gutteridge.

REIGATE BRANCH.--Messrs Peter, Caffyn, Jesse Pym.

TANDRIDGE HUNDRED BRANCH.--Messrs Isaac Stavely, Edward
Kelsey.

SURREY, WEST.

WEST SURREY UNITED ASSOCIATION.--Col. Holme Summer, Rowland
Goldhawk, Esq.

EPSOM DISTRICT.--Messrs Francis Garner and King.

DORKING DISTRICT.--Messrs Weller and Dewdney.

SUSSEX, EAST.

SUSSEX.--Messrs W. Rigden, A. Denman, S. H. Bigg, Edward Wyatt.

EAST GRINSTED.--Messrs George Head, Wm. Turner, John Rose, John
Mills, John Payne.

WARWICKSHIRE, NORTH.

RUGBY AND DUNCHURCH BRANCH.--Messrs H. Townsend, John Perkins.

SUTTON COLDFIELD.--The Hon. E. S. Jervis, W. M. Jervis, Esq.,
Rev. W. K. B. Bedford, Messrs R. Fowler, R. Fowler, jun.,
Bodington, Sadler, Osborne, Buggins.

COLESHILL.--Messrs Cook, Gilbert, H. Thornley, John York, and
Dr Davies.

WARWICKSHIRE, SOUTH.

WARWICKSHIRE.--Messrs Edward Greaves, C. M. Caldecott, Luke
Pearman, J. H. Walker, W. W. Bromfield, R. Hemming, S.
Umbers, B. Sedgeley, John Moore, H. Brown.

WILTSHIRE, NORTH.

Messrs G. Brown, W. Ferris, J. A. Williams, R. Strange, J.
Wilkes, E. L. Rumbold, L. Waldron.

WILTSHIRE, SOUTH.

SALISBURY BRANCH.--Messrs Stephen Mills, F. King, George Burtt,
Leonard Maton, B. Pinnegar,--Lush.

WORCESTERSHIRE, WEST.

WORCESTERSHIRE BRANCH.--The Hon. and Rev. W. C. Talbot, F.
Woodward, Esq., Richard Gardner.

YORKSHIRE, NORTH RIDING.

KNARESBOROUGH.--Mr T. Collins, jun., of Scotton.

EASINGWOLD.--Mr Charles Harland.

YORKSHIRE, EAST RIDING.

EAST RIDING.--Mr John Almack.

MALTON.--E. Cayley, Esq.

HOLDERNESS.--Messrs Josh. Stickney and G. C. Francis.

POCKLINGTON.-- -- Cross.

YORKSHIRE, WEST RIDING.

BOROUGHBRIDGE BRANCH.--Wm. Josh. Coltman, Esq.

SCOTLAND.

SCOTTISH PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION.--Sir J. Drummond, Bart.,
Professor Aytoun, Professor Low, Dr Gardner, Messrs Geo.
Makgill, Jno. Dickson, Jno. Dudgeon, J. Murdoch, J. Shand,
Blackwood, Garland, Hugh Watson, Cheyne, Steuart of
Auchlunkart.

EAST LOTHIAN.--Sir Jno. Hall, Bart. of Dunglass, Messrs R. Scot
Skirving and Aitchison, of Alderston.

ABERDEENSHIRE.--Dr Garden.

IRELAND.

COUNTY DOWN.--The Marquis of Downshire.

The noble CHAIRMAN rose and said--Gentlemen, it will not be necessary for me upon the present occasion to trespass but a few moments upon your attention, because I am happy to say that there are gentlemen much more able to discuss the question upon which we are met here to-day than the individual who now stands before you--more able, I say; but there is no man in the United Kingdom who is more deeply impressed than I am with the conviction that, if this country is to continue to be great and free, moderate import duties must be imposed (loud cheers.) Though some persons have called free trade a "great experiment," and wish us to wait and see what the result of that "experiment" is to be, I tell them fairly now, that that experiment has been tried--that it has failed--and that common sense always said it would fail (great cheering.) But during the trial of this "great experiment," have they calculated the amount of hazard which they are incurring? Are they aware of the mass of landowners and tenant-farmers of England who must be cast away if this experiment is not immediately put an end to? (loud cheers.) We are met here to-day to receive deputations from different parts of the country, and it has been thought advisable to convene this meeting, because doubts have been expressed in Parliament, whether distress was universal or not. We are met to-day to hear from the tenant-farmers from various parts of the country the prospects of their localities (hear, hear.) Gentlemen, I fear those prospects are bad indeed. But still I will say before you that which I stated in Parliament--that I have the greatest confidence in the good feeling of the people of England (cheers.) I believe that the tenant-farmers will follow the advice which I have ventured to give them, and persevere (hear, hear.) They know the justice of their cause. Let you, all of you, when you return home, tell your neighbours to persevere; and depend upon it, justice will, sooner or later, be done to you (loud cheers.) I will not now detain you longer than to say I hope that the expressions which may be made use of here to-day will be to show that, ill used as we are, we are still loyal to our Sovereign, and firmly attached to the constitution of our country (tremendous cheering.)

Mr T. W. BOOKER, Ex-High-Sheriff of Glamorganshire, of Velindra House, near Cardiff, was then called upon by the noble chairman, and amidst great applause stepped forward to propose the first resolution--"That the difficulty and intolerable distress pervading the agricultural and other great interests of the country, and the state of deprivation and suffering to which large masses of the industrial population are reduced, are, in the opinion of this meeting, fraught with consequences the most disastrous to the public welfare, and if not speedily remedied must prove fatal to the maintenance of public credit, will endanger the public peace, and may even place in peril the safety of the state."--Mr Booker spoke as follows: My lord duke, my lords, and gentlemen,--It is, I do most unfeignedly assure you, with the deepest diffidence, if not with the deepest reluctance, that I stand before you thus early in the proceedings of this most eventful day; for, gentlemen, I came here under the sincere hope that I might be allowed to listen to others instead of myself occupying your time. But there are times, and this is an occasion, when I feel that it would ill become any man to shrink from the discharge of a public duty which those with whom he has an identity of feeling and a community of interest will and wish should devolve upon him. Humble, therefore, though my name may be, yet I will, without further apology, proceed at once to the objects which have called us together. (Cheers.) At this time of day, and on this occasion, I need not, I think, enter upon any lengthened argument, nor need I adduce any elaborate statements of statistical facts, to prove that the condition of Great Britain and Ireland and her dependencies is, to say the least, most unsatisfactory. (Hear, hear.) Your own experience will tell you that. Therefore to save your time, and with a knowledge of those who will have to follow me, I will assume three propositions. First of all, I will assume that the agricultural interest is immeasurably the most important interest of the state. (Hear.) Secondly, I will assume that that interest is in a state of alarming and greatly increasing depression. (Hear, hear.) And, thirdly, I will assume that that depression is occasioned and aggravated by the adoption and continuance in that altered policy of the country which now prevails. (Cheers.) I presume that my two first propositions will be conceded to me everywhere; and as to the third, here at least I presume we are unanimous, that the difficulties, the dangers, the distresses, and the disasters that now accompany us are attributable to that vile, suicidal policy falsely called free trade. (Cheers.) Having gone thus far, and having arrived at this point, it will not be of much advantage to you that I should dwell long upon the nature and extent of the distress which now accompanies you, and now environs you. That I will leave to others of those intelligent practical men who, in such multitudinous numbers, have left their homes and have come here to tell, in this central heart of England, their feelings upon the distresses and dangers that have overtaken them. But I will just glance at what is the prevailing symptom of the distress of the present day. And, strange as it may appear, the prevailing symptom is cheapness--cheapness of all the necessaries and conveniences of life--cheapness of the bountiful gifts of Providence, the productions of the earth--cheapness of the works of man, the produce of his skill and labour. And how is it that this cheapness, which augurs plenty and abundance, should not be accompanied with its usual, nay, its invariable concomitants--ease, enjoyment, safety, and repose? (Cheers.) There must be something fundamentally wrong in a state which produces such startling results. It was the opinion of one whose opinion, and whose memory too, ought to be an object of veneration with every Free-trader, as unquestionably they are of respect, from the sterling, amiable, pains-taking qualities of the man--I allude to the late Mr Huskisson--it was his opinion, and he delivered it in his place in the House of Commons so long ago as the year 1815--it was his opinion that nothing could be more delusive than the proposition that cheapness in the price of provisions is always a benefit. On the contrary, cheapness, without a demand for labour, is a symptom of distress. (Cheers.) The French, he adds, in his day, had cheapness without capital, and that was a proof in them of progressive decay. But this all-pervading state of cheapness is so ably glanced at and set forth in a document which I hold in my hand, and which has been transmitted to me since my arrival in town, that I cannot forbear quoting some passages from it. It is the Address of the Metropolitan Trades' Delegates to their fellow-countrymen, on the interests and the present position of the labouring classes of the empire; and if there can be words of solemn warning and import, they are contained in this most extraordinary document. It commences:--

"Fellow-Countrymen,--There is not recorded an era in the history of our country, nor, indeed, in the history of all nations, when the great subject of the natural and social rights of those who live by means of their labour was required to be so thoughtfully considered, so clearly explained, and so zealously and faithfully supported, as the present era."

It afterwards goes on to treat the question of cheapness thus:--

"We have it announced to us that it is under the operation of unregulated, stimulated, and universal competition, we are henceforth to live.

"Cheapness is proclaimed to be the one great and desirable attainment. But the cheapness that is attained under this system is not the result of fair and distributory abundance--being mainly acquired by diminishing the enjoyments, or the consumption, of those by whose labour productions are derived, and by that economy of labour by which, in so many instances, the labourer is cast off altogether from employment, because a cheaper, that is, a less consuming instrument than his body, is invented and applied. The labour of the working man thus becomes a superfluous commodity in the market, so that he must either be an outcast altogether from society, or else find some way of doing more work for less of materials of consumption; and even then, if he should succeed in this course of realising cheapness, he becomes instrumental in bringing many others of his fellow-labourers down to the same degraded level to which he is reduced. (Loud cheers.)