Page:History of the Anti corn law league.pdf/150

134 radical enough for Colonel Thompson's proposers. Sir George Murray came warily into the contest, and endeavoured to conciliate the free traders by declaring his conviction, that the greatness of this country Was founded upon commerce and manufactures, and that if any law was introduced, which should tend to drive them out of the country, it should be repealed. Mr. J. B. Smith asked the candidate, "What is the Corn Law?" and his reply was: " With regard to the Corn Law, all the agriculturists have a right to expect is, to have the same protection for their industry that the commercial and manufacturing men have for theirs. I am quite open to a fixed duty." "How much?" asked Mr. Smith, and Sir George's reply was, "I will not pledge myself exactly to that;" and thus he went on floundering:—

"I am called upon to say something about the Corn Laws. Why, gentlemen, you know that at present there is a fluctuating duty on corn. The bias on my mind is in favour of a fixed moderate duty. (Mr. Prentice 'How much?') A gentleman asks me for how much I am for a moderate fixed duty. ('Oh! oh') I am for nothing, gentle men, that will drive capitalists out of this country—('How much duty?')—because capitalists are necessary to put labour in motion, and I am for nothing that will be injurious to the operative classes of society; because they are at the base, at the foundation of the prosperity of the country. If you drive capitalists out of the country, whether they go to Geneva, or to America, or anywhere else, you ruin the country; and if you drive the operatives out of the country, you will ruin the country. ('The Corn Laws have done that already.') I heard some gentleman ask me a question. (Mr. Prentice: 'How much duty?') Why, you know, really, I cannot—(Hisses and laughter.) There is a gentleman at a distance says something. ('The Union.') Is that the union with Ireland you talk of? ('Yes.') I understand, now that that gentleman holds up a green bag; that is, I suppose, in allusion to Mr. O'Connell's colour. Well, gentlemen, I am a decided friend to the union, and to the consolidation of all parts of the United Kingdom. I will certainly not countenance the repeal of the union, because it will he equally injurious to both countries. ('The Corn Laws.') I really do not know, gentlemen, that there is any reason whatever why I should detain you longer; but I cannot help saying, gentlemen, that I have never, in any place where I have had occasion to address a large concourse of people, I have