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1128 THE LEADER. [Saturday,
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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, ...
of Sir R . Peel and of demands for protection ov compensation . Flinging back the imputation of Jacobinism thrown at the League by the Chancellor of the Exchequer , he urged the Protectionists to look for their true compensation in the happiness of the country , and he called on the House to establish the charter of free industry . Mr . Ker Setmer defended Ministers , and said that the country was glad to see men at the head of affairs who in a conservative spirit would carry out necessary reforms .
Mr . Frederick Peel submitted tliat without being considered vindictive , something was clue to the past ; for they could not forget how hardly Mr . Disraeli had dealt with the change of convictions in another mind . He should vote for the resolution . Here Lord Palmerston struck in , and completely took the House by surprise . Admitting that the Speech from the Throne was as ambiguous as words could make it , and confessing that , personally , he concurred in the resolution , yet he declared that some regard should be had to securing as large a majority as possible in the e xpression of opinion they intended to
come to—if not unanimity . A great party had honourably and publicly yielded its opinions—it was dangerous for the House t o institute an inquisition into private opinions , and demand an humble recantation . Was there not a middle course ? Why make it a party struggle , or convert the occasion into an opportunity for overturning the Government ? Suppose , however , and it was quite possible , that the resolution—which , if eai-ried , must be so by a very small majority—should be lost . How injurious would the effect be all over the world . And would it be a satisfactory result to carry it by a narrow majority , compared to the effect of a unanimous decision of the House ? It was natural that
the champions of Free-trade should desire a victory , but he thought , considering the great interests at stake , that hands mig ht be stretched out in conciliation , and an ungenerous and impolitic line of conduct be abandoned . He would not presume to lay a third resolution on the table , but read a form of words which , if encouraged , he would be disposed to tender : — " That it is the opinion of this House that the improved condition of the country , especially the industrious classes , is mainly the result of recent legislation , which has established the principle of unrestricted competition , has abolished taxes imposed for the purpose of protection , and has
thereby diminished the cost and increased the abundance of the principal articles of the food of the people . " ( Hear , hear . ) Nobody can object to that , certainly . " That it is the opinion , of this House that this policy , firmly maintained and prudently extended , will best enable the industry of the country to bear its burdens , and will thereby most surely promote the welfare and contentment of the people . ( Cheers from the Ministerial benches . ) That this House will be ready to take into consideration any measures consistent with those principles whicli , in pursuance of her Majesty ' s gracious Speech and recommendation , may bo lairt before them . " ( Kouewed cheers from the Ministerialists . )
He trusted that before llumsdny his suggestion would bo well considered . The debate was adjourned on the motion of Hir Kdward Lytton . Earl y on Thursday evening an irregular and interesting conversation on the position of parties was commenced by Sir YV . (' iiAV , who asked Mr . Villiers and the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether each would withdraw his respective motion in favour of Lord Pahnerston ' s amendment , suggested cm Tuesday . Before either could reply , Sir . Jamios ( Jkaiiam ( moving , lor form sake , an adjournment of the House ) , interposed to explain the origin of JMr . Villiers ' s motion , lie said—¦
The paragraph in the lvoyal Speech , relut m ^ to recent legislation , having been deemed ambiguous , the Chancellor of the Kxehequer nut having announced on the first day of the session any intention of brin ^ in ^ forward a financial policy , and the mover of the address having been a I'rotee ( io > iint candidate , Huceessftil against , mi eminent , Freetrader ( Sir ( J . dircv ) , all three causcM combined , induced him and his friends to think a substantive motion on tile Hubject necessary . In Iraining . such motion hehad endeiivoured to avoid anylliiiiL r I hat mitrlit wound the fceliiiL'
of any gentleman in l . he House . In wording the resolution , I put , the question to myself , " What , under the circumstances , would Sir Kobert I'eel have done had he been alive P" mid 1 assure the I louse , on my honour , thai , I believe Hint great statesman , had he been alive , would have /' rained a resolution , better in words than that I prepared , hut in the saine spirit . | Sir . lames then read the resolution ho alluded to , which , amid some quiet inurnment , was recognised by the House iin'l . lie mime , with I . ho exception of a lew words , n . s that / suggested by Lord I ' ulinernton . lie then went on losay I
I sent the draft resolution to Lord John Russell , with whom , I inn happy to Hay , I have been in cordial and ireqiicnt communication . ( liiniglitor and ironical elieers from the M imperialists . ) Thai , cheer expresses a , suspicion that then ! has been some |> nrty feeling in the preparation ol I be resolutions a suspicion out irely crroneoiiM ; for the ninuver of Lord John Kussell contained the suggestion of . the third clnuHO in the resolution , expressing the . readineHS of the jlouse to take- into conBidoriition any financial propositions
based on Free-trade , and thus sliowing that the motion was not one of factious opposition . After conference with the Manchester party—the original Free-traders—the terms of Mr . Villiers ' s motion were adopted in lieu of the resolution first drawn up by himself , and suggested on Tuesday by lord Pahnerston , who had , however , omitted the words , " without inflicting- injury on any important interest . " But these words had been inserted in the resolutions more with a prospective than a
retrospective effect : they shut the door against a claim for compensation arising out of any extension of Freetrade , but they did not prevent the House discussing at any time any proposition of adj usfment of taxation founded on the policy of 1846 . For himself , he was willing to adopt the amendment suggested by Xord Palmerston , with tho insertion of the words he had quoted a » omitted . Mr . Gladstone , in a most conciliatory tone , recommended the unanimous adoption of Lord Palmerston ' s
amendment . Mr . T . Duncombe rallied the House on the many amendments it had suffered to arise . As it was a night for questions he would ask one . How had the noble lord the member for Tiverton got hold of the resolution of the right honourable baronet the member for Carlisle ? ( Roars of laughter . ) Mr . E . S . CatI / ET and Mr . R . Paxmer having given in a reluctant resignation of Protectionist hopes , Lord Palmerstox expressed his gratification at the agreeable tone of t he conversation , and the prospect of an all but unanimous vote closing the controversy . He did not object to the words , " without inflicting injury on any important interest , " being inserted . In reply to Mr . Duncombe , he could assure him that he had got
the resolution " lawfully . Sir E . B . Lttton" said the House seemed agreed upon the thing to be done ; therefore it was idle to be nice about words . The Marquis of Granby defied Mr . Bright to a division . He dissented from all the resolutions . There was prosperity in the country , but it was not owing to Free-trade . He appealed to Mr . Disraeli ( now denying that he had agitated Protection ) , whether he had not been supported by the Protectionist party . Mr . Disra * Eii ( who looked ill , spoke in a low tone of voice , and apologized for " physical depression" ) said he never could forget the generous confidence that had been placed in him by the party to whom Lord Granby referred .
He still thought what he had always thought that tho agriculturalists of England had boon unjustly treated by the precipitate repeal of the corn-laws ; though the reversal of that repeal had been long out of the question owing t « the fact that it had , through the cheapness of provisions , increased the welfare of the general body of the people . But if he should have the opportunity of submitting his financial measures to the House , it would be soon that by the readjustment of taxation ho proposed to relieve that class who had undoubtedly suffered from , tho withdrawal of protection , and thus enable them to meet tho competition of tho industry of the world . Without the hopo of being able to bring forward such measures , he would not
continue to hold office . Mr . Disraeli then , in return for Sir James Graham ' s frank and rather novel disclosures ( " allording a rich lesson , to young members how great men combine to manage mankind" ) , explained the course taken by ( Joverninciit . Tho paragraph in the Queen ' s Speech had a constitutional and Royal reserve ; and in admitting the propriety of considering compensation , Sir James ( irahaip bad echoed it . As to any abstract resolution affirming Free-trade , though he ( Mr . J ) israeli ) thought such resolutions inexpedient in anew Parliament , yet the ( lovernment had resolved that if a resolution wore brought forward simply allirrniiig the unequivocal fact that Free-( rade was to bo the future policy of the country , they
would not oppose it . To me , individually , sucli 11 resolution could not be objectionable . The financial measures I have prepared are all based on the policy of unrestricted competition ; in fact , they cannot bo ( supported except by recognition of that policy . Wo had resolved , therefore , that should a resolution such as that I . have mentioned be brought , forward , we would sutler it to puss , taking no part i" the discussion . The lirst resolution dviiwii up by the right hon . baronet the member for ( ! arlirtle reached uh in draft ; and at ; a meeting of our usual supporters , my noble friend at tins head of the ( Jovernment declared ho wi \ v nothing in that resolution which we mi / Wit not accept . That declaration , echoed by the
iiiri . uimouM opinion of the whole party , w as made no Necret ; for our parts , it , might have been known at , (! liiiring-eroHS . In 1 / ict , it is probable it was known at , ( Miariag-cross . For no sooner was that resolve Known than the original resolution was altered , and three odious c | iitlnil . s were inserted . ( Loud eheerrt from the M inisterialistn . ) That is not the way to secure the unanimous allirmation of a great , priucipli ' . It wan easy to say Miono were mere words ; but one must- , look to the meaning iukI motive of their insertion to be . able to understand the words . The amendment I have proposed distinctly hiVH down the principle con-I have proposed distinctly inyn down Iho principle
eontended tor . Liinguago could go no further ; it . even declares it , to ibe the duly of < Government ; to adhere to that , principle , 'lyiio amendment of Iho right , hon . baronet ( Sir J . diraham ) iifyul . n out , if I underalnnd it , uny claim for compensation n i'i'jng out of future legislation , whilo it leaves open the qu < , 't * , ion of compensation for the past . I should certainly prefe > r tho words I have used myself ; mid there are expressio < i > i in the other amendment for which , individually , I wil ' mol . be responsible ; but , if it be the general wish of the ho : iho , I hIiiiII accept t lie amendment in lieu of inyown . Itul ^ houhl the lion , member for Wolverhiimpton persist in his iiOtion , J . hIiuII resist it , believing it to be
unjust and ungenerous . The question , then , is , whether that hon . gentleman and his friends will persist in outra < ri the feelings of gentlemen on this side of the house h resolution I firml y believe to be impolitic and unWL ? ( Loud cheers . ) «* "wise . Shortly after having spoken , the right hon . gentleman left the House , but reappeared a little later . It fe feared that his health is affected by his onerous ' official duties . Lord John Rttsseix thought Ministers had made a great mistake in not advising the Queen to make an explicit declaration of the verdict of the country ; such a statement was not ordinary , but this had been an extraordinary occasion .
" ' three odious epithets' referred to b y Mr . Disraeli as having been inserted to counteract some resolution of his party , were to his ( Lord John's ) own knowledge a part of the very first draft of the resolutions drawn up before any meeting in Downing-street . On the other evening the right lion , gentleman accused me of ' audacit y , ' Vbv saying that the question before the House was one of Free-trade or Protection . Surely that is the question Why should not we solemnly decide on a resolution like ' the present , which shall control generations to come ? WJiy should not a resolution go forth to that great country , the United States of America , where the immense majority of the people ( a people of the same race , having similar institutions with our own ) have recently pronounced in favour of this policy—a policy
destined to rule the intercourse ot nations throughout the world . Still , as I think it of importance that there should be a great majority of this House in favour of a resolution to this effect—considering that the right hon . gentleman though in a rather ungracious manner , has si gnified his intention of adopting the resolution drawn up by the ri ght hon . baronet , and proposed by the noble lord the member for Tiverton , in lieu of his own , I would advise my hon . friend ( Mr . Villiers ) to accept that resolution also , s ' o that all Free-traders , whether they be those who like the hon . member for the "West Riding , have long been advocates of tha-t policy , whether they date from 1842 or whether they date from the November of this year —( a laugh )—shoura join in one profession of that policy as the future commercial policy of this country . "
Mr . Cobden was at first puzzled to understand the drift of the whole debate . Now he saw that if it meant anything , the alterations suggested opened a door for compensation . If so , the Free Traders had gained nothing . Protection could be effected through the tax-gatherer as well as by custom-houses . If it were so , he warned the Protectionists the attempt would involve another struggle , which would prove as disastrous to them as the previous one had been . He entreated Mr . Villiers not to shrink from pressing his unaltered resolution . Mr . Newdegate expressed his unaltered views on Protection , and his intention of leaving the House rather than affirm any of the resolutions .
Mr . Vii / liees saw no - reason for withdrawing his resolution . He could not see how the words , " wise , just , and beneficial , " could be offensive ( the greatest men had acknowledged their errors ); unless , indeed , some ulterior object wore in view by gentlemen opposite , all of whom , he could clearly see , were not Free Traders . Sir W . CtjAY , and some Protectionist members , having mado a few observations , Sir James Giiaham withdrew his formal motion of adjournment . Tho order of the day for tho adjourned debate then came on , -when Mr . Disraeli withdrew his amendment , and Lord Pauwkuston formally moved his . The debate
was then resumed by Mr . Bookek , who talked inviolate Protectionism . Mr . BkknaIj Ohiiokjje followed , in hi . s usual tone of caustic vivacity . His quotations of Protectionist speeches were many and galling ; his " points" were incisive ; and be concluded by a general denunciation of " a gang of political latitudinari : ins who have no faith in anything but the exiBtence of tho Treasury Bench , and no princip le but perpetuity of place ' . " Mr . Bali , denied that cheapness was good ; eulogised the farmers of h" £ - | , in « l ; assailed in a loud lament the memory of S > r Kobert Peel ; was still a Protectionist ; but would not refuse to vote with Ministers , remembering who might be their successors . Sir I ' Adio Wooo made a clear ,
logiail , and lawyer-like speech— -exposing the opposition offences of the party now in power ; and Sir JonN I ' AUiNcmm . replied by ' pointing out that nearly "' parties in l , h <> House hud been once Free-traders ; that , all I he prophecies by hot ft parties as to the n : mjt » » Frce-trndc had been falsified by the events ; and tlmj the present motion wns but the combination ( ho won < ^ not ; call it , factious ) of four parties , who could not "K " upon any other point . . f The debute was then adjourned to Friday
eveningf I itiHii Law Itm'oiMWH . Among tho most . ' » lU " ?^ "F ° Mm new phases of tho Derby party in certain y « lJ » ^ they lake upon Mm questions relating to the » "V (| l () IonLnd tenant in Ireland . On Monday , Mr . Nap .. , " ^ Atlorney-aoncral for Ireland , delivered a loiitf hj ¦ _ prefatory to tho bringing in of four billH , and exi > ll ; £ of them , " in which ho admitted that tho mam ol J < ^ of Ireland had sprang from the policy pursue , 1 by -rh towards her in reject of tho luiul . Tho wlioloniilo M *
1128 The Leader. [Saturday,
1128 THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 27, 1852, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_27111852/page/4/
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