The Protectionists may well be startled by a voice froin'aniong
themselves—the frank and manly declarations of Lord Wonky. The party would be wise to consider the admissions made by one of the most honest and intelligent of their number. There is in Lord Worsley's speech no trace of party bias, no taint of personal interest, no "inconsistency," no disposition to " betray" his friends ; he is still prepared, if others Will stand by him, to resist further encroachment on the principle of "protection." His admissions therefore are instructive. He testifies that Sir Robert Peel's dis- Position to relinquish the Corn-laws is no sudden change : Lord Worsley expected it at the last election. He declares that it is too late for a compromise; for now that would not settle the question, and it is the agitation which does the farmer infinite injury. He does not advocate the Corn-laws on the ground of exclusive agricultural interests and peculiar burthens, but on the score of keeping this country independent of 'a foreign supply : therefore he does not allow that repeal of the Corn-laws can be made the pretext for shifting the btirthen of taxation; and he warns the farmers how they suffer poor-rates and county-rates to be transferred to the Consolidated Fund, lest Government, with the burthen, assume the exclusive management of those local affairs. He declares his belief that Sir Robert Peel acts, deliberately and in good faith, according to the light that is in him, for the benefit of the country ; and that there cannot be the slightest doubt as to the Premier's ultimate intention of repealing the Corn-laws. In a subsequent page will be found the text to justify this enumeration of Lord Worsley's avowals. The Protectionists may ask themselves what hope there is for their present struggle to maintain the Corn-laws, when one of the best of their own body is compelled to make such serious admissions ?
