Page:History of the Anti corn law league - Volume 2.pdf/339

 into. (Hear, hear.) It was then found that that law would not do. In 1841, a different state of things was brought about. Sir Robert Peel came into power, and he said, or at least implied, 'If you will be led by me, if you will allow me to adopt a fresh scale, I will make the price 56s.' (Laughter.) But I need hardly add that what be then told us has not been brought to pass, for we are now obliged to sell wheat for 45s. (Hear, bear.) The contracts we have entered into, however, remain the same—(hear, hear)—our expenses remain the same. (Hear, hear.) After the number of years experience that I have now had, I say that it is impossible for any man, however clever he may be, to coatrol the seasons (hear, hear), or to say what shall be the price of the bread of man. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, that being the case, and it is clearly proved to be so,—for while 56s, is the price which we were to receive, we actually sell at 45s.,—it is no longer of any use, I say, to stick to the system of protection; but I trust that, instead of that, we sball extend our commercial enterprise, and see if we cannot, by increasing our trade, grow more, and get you more to eat Gentlemen, I have only this to say: I tell you that it is necessary that we should all come forward upon this question—landlord, tenant, and labourer; and, when I look at the immense mass of people who take an interest in this cause, I have no doubt of its being triumphant (Cheers.) Gentlemen, I say it is to the interest of the landlord that this question should be settled; and I do trust he will let it be seen by his consideration, by his liberality, and by joining with his tenant in carrying out improvements, that it is the interest of the tenant to use his best endeavours, by increasing the production of the soil, to fill the mouth. of the vast and increasing population. (Cheers.) We know that it is not in the power of any man to control the seasons. It has been shown to us over and over again, that they go in cycles; that while, on the one hand, the bountiful Giver of every good may be showering down his blessings, and giving crops in abundance in another part of the world, our own, unfortunately, may not be so favoured. Not only may this happen, but it has happened that we have been burned up with a scorching sun, or drowned with a drenching rain. Then, I say, let us, whose country is the mistress of the sea, send our ships into deep waters. (Cheers.) Let those who are living at the uttermost parts of the globe know that we will send our vessels to them for food; carry to them things necessary for a life of civilisation; plant there our flag; teach them to cultivate the fruits of the earth; carry them the things necessary to do so; and be, as we ever must be, the workshop of the world. (Load cheers.) Gentlemen, I say that it is necessary to do this; and I do not doubt that the landowners, tenants, and all classes, will join hand-in-hand in carrying out so great a cause; that, like the