NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Tits gigantic Corn question has thrust aside other topics of political interest. A narrative of what has been said and done on this subject comprises nearly all of importance in the Parliamentary proceedings of the week. The discussion in the House of Commons commenced on Tues- day; when Mr. VILLIERS moved fits a Committee of the whole House to consider the laws relating to the importation of foreign grain. In a very elaborate and skilful speech, the Member for Wolverhampton put Ilia question in a variety of forms, and always so closely to the consciences and understandings of Members, that every succeeding opponent seemed as if' he were wriggling to release himself from a superincumbent mass of argument and filets. Mr. Vima.tmts took up the subject where the last vote of the House had left it. The supporters of Corn-laws had refused to hear evidence—they were sufficiently instructed on the question : for the benefit of the la- bouring classes, not for the selfish gain of landlords, they alleged, high duties must be preserved, and bread made dear. It is "a labourer's question," said Sir Romisur PsErs I ant glad to meet you on that ground, Mr. Vir.t.unts responded : and now, prove in what way the productive classes are benefited by diminishing the quantity of food, and increasing the amount of labour required to furnish the means of subsistence. The converse of this propo- sition Mr. VILLIERS was able to establish. And he stopped not there, but proceeded triumphantly in his proof, that not labourers only, agricultural and manufficturing, but their employers, and the whole community, were deprived of excellent and pleasant things within their reach, by these Corn-laws ; which, at the same tins., enhanced the cost of supporting the poor, the Army and Navy. and all national establishments. He placed the claim for com- pensation, made on the assumption that landowners are unfitirly taxed, in a light which it could not bear. On the authority of their own Sir Ronmer PEEL, he denied that the Malt-duty falls with peculiar weight upon laud, seeing that, like other imposts on articles of general consumption, it is distributed over the country at large ; and he' reminded the groaning monopolists of their exemptions from the Legacy and other duties. There are, in- deed, two sides to the account ; but while the charges against the " predominant interest" can be stated with something like preci- sion, to an immense amount, it is not easy to point to any produc- tive tax which is not shared by landowners in common only with other classes. Mr. Vimainis concluded his statement with a se- rious intimation to the majority, that the men whose cause he advocated were not so meek in mind or weak in spirit as to submit passively to injustice. Sir (4Eininit STRICKLAND seconded Mr. VILLIERS with earnest- ness and good feeling. It appears that Sir GEORGE, though a country gentleman, discerned the impolicy and injustice of Corn- laws more than twenty years ago, when many who ffincied them- selves accomplished political economists, perpetrated the blunder of supporting the bill of 1815. Mr. CAYLEY stood forth as champion of the landowners. He had prepared himself carefully for the encounter, and bristled all over with filets and figures. Unhappily for his glory as a debater and tbr the cause he championed, Mr. CATLEY seemed unable to cmnprehend the real bearing of his own arguments and statements. Unit perfect satisffiction to himself, and to the amusement of his auditory, he worked away at the question, until he had demon- strated that unless labour, clothing, implements of husbandry, and every thing which a farmer needs, were afforded to him at reduced rates, he must continue to receive a high price for his wheat, or be ruined ; never suspecting that the repeal of the Corn-laws is the only measure by which the desirable reduction in expenditure may be attained. If deficient in logic, Mr. CAYLEY lacked not hardi- hood of assertion : he protested that the labourer was benefited by dearness of food, and that commerce was only " an adjunct," to be tolerated while inuosious to the country,—a very good thing hi [LATEST EDITION.] its way, .hut not excellent in excess. To do tuly thing like justice to Mr. CAYLEY'S peroration by description, is impossible; so it is given at length in our epitome of the discussion.
To Mr. CSYLKY succeeded Mr. Pow= TnomsoN. The Presi- dent of the Board of Trade avowed himself favourable to an ohm).- tion—averse to a total repeal of the Corn-laws. How will this re- luctance to represent their undoubted opinions be relished by his Manchester constituency ? THOMSON professed to rejoice in the renewal of the agitation on this subject. He performed the easy duty of proving, that agriculture had frequently been in a very depressed condition since the bill of 1828 was passed : in no fewer than five speeches front the Throne, landed distress had been re-
commended to the especial attention of Parliament. Mr. Tnom- SON dilated on the importance of ffireign commerce to the revenue ; and put the pertinent question, how is the interest of the National Debt to be discharged without the twenty millions of Customs? All this was to the point ; but the House was impatient and in- attentive ; and the Manchester Delegates, under the Gallery. might perceive that to speak in Parliament can be no very agreeable part of their Member's duty.
Sir EDWARD KNATCHISULL concluded the first night's debate. Inc was shocked that Mr. Tnostsox should rejoice in agitation, and surprised that a Cabinet Minister should make a long speech and yet leave the House uninformed as to the course theGoy. s:1- ment would pursue in the Committee—which was not ts be granted. Quite Parliamentary—both the shock and the : but Sir EDWARD KNATCHBULL made a strange mistake, and west for beyond rules, when he imputed to 31r. VILLIERS a dictum that by a repeal of the Corn-laws he aimed at overturning the Church, destroying the Aristocracy, and spunging out the National Debt ; for not a syllable escaped from 'Mr. VILLIERS MIMI could
bear such a construction. It was remarked that Sir Enwalt1)..■ Wits must have been "woolgathering" when the singular fancy took pos- session of his vacant cranium.
Sir WILLIAM MoLEstvoarlf, in opening Wednesday's discussiva, explained the process by which increase of exports occurred coin- cidently with fall of prices and diminution of profits. Ile took a large view of the question, and demonstrated the general :liivantsge that would arise front entire freedom of trade, and the imminent risk of convulsion from perseverance in opposition to the chit s of the energetic and industrious classes who demand Corn-law Repeal.
The speech of Mr. CHRISTOPHER, Member for North Lincoln- shire, deserves notice fbr one point. That gentleman presented the House with a statement of the expenses of cultivating laud on the approved four-course system of husbandry, showing a profit of
only 5s. 9d. an acre after paying expenses std ate guhtea r-nt. The surplus, then, to be divided between landlord and tenant, was 1/. 68. 9d. ; and of this sum the landlord, overflowing with tender feelings of compassion for the farmer, has the conscience to take one pound one shilling—or about four times as much as the tenant —for his share !
The best speech, for persuasion, in the entire debate, was deli- vered by Mr. Gam, who followed Mr. CHRISTOPM:11. The Member for London could not complain of unseemly interruption— he was listened to with deep attention. A few sentences demo- lished Mr. CHRISTOPHER; and Sir ROBERT PEEL'S doctrine. that the price of corn ought to be kept up for the labourer's sake. was exposed to a searching scrutiny, amounting to a demonstrst ion that vice, poverty, and wretchedness, were the consequences of laws declared, in bitter mockery, to be upheld ffir the benefit of the humbler classes. The derangement of the money-market arising front the export of bullion in exchange for wheat, was forcibly de- scribed ; and a series of elaborate calculations and valuable filets might have satisfied the landowners, that their own fears ef " in- undation" from Russia and Germany, and the hopes of extraordi- nary cheapness sometimes held out on the opposite side, were alike exaggerated. The Earl of DAatitnaTox, Mr. Cisiy. Mr. WODEDOPSE, and Lord Howlett, were the other speakers on Wednesday. Lord Bowlers was primed with details, very tit to be given in evidence at the, bar, (which his Lordship denied to the suit of tile petition- ing manufficturers,) but most tiresome in a speech, although pre- sented by a Cabinet 'Minister. The House thought so, and Lord HowteK was assailed with interruptions loud and frequent. The unhappy orator lost his temper : he that lectured the noisy Mem- bers, and then entreated them to give ear unto him for their in- struction. They would not listen, but they left the House. In all which we see a political justice : for Lord Howley: is the mat' who, glorying in his debating-powers, treated with contumely and ridicule the only method by which minute titcts with patience or profit in a mob-senate. so, /"-- • Little needs be said of the oratorical din-lays, on ThuritclaSpo' Lords WORALEY and MAIDSTOtiE and Mr. EitERSOIN
wcatcs of Corn-laws as they arc, and Sir HUSSEY VP/1-521.84411'
HENRY PARNELL on the other side. Mr. WARD'S speech was of a superior interest, though embracing topics dwelt upon by Mem- bers who had preceded him in the discussion. Two points deserve notice. The wretchedness occasioned by want of employment and clearness of limit, traced by Mr. WARD to the operation of the pro- hibitory system, was illustrated by a description of the actual sufferings of a Preston weaver, whose affecting letter \1r. WARD read to the House. Very appositely, after laying before them this case of recent misery, did Mr. WARD remind his aristocratic auditory of the litte of the old French nobles, who by exactions, not essentially more iniquitous than the Corn-laws, roused a whole people to exact a dreadful retribution. Sir James GRAIIAM " flared up" at this allusion, and talked in Ercles' vein of hi valorous determination never to yield to threats, though of course always amenable to reason : incontinently, Sir JAM} boasted, that even were they as ignorant and stupid as oxen, he and his friends were still a powerful body, and oivecre the soil on which they lived! He was formerly opposed to Corn- laws, but claimed the privilege of changing his opinion as his knowledge and experience increased. After much desultory and disputable statement, Sir JAMES waxed poetical on the subject of removing innocent peasants and their children to the drudgery of II factory life and the sin and sorrow of a city.
Lord Jour: Busse's'. repeated his opinion in favour of a mode- rate fixed duty ; admitting that he had formerly supported higher protection to the agricultural interest, but. he presumed that the liberty to remodel his views on this question, granted to Sir JAMES GRAHAM, NVOUld not be denied to him.- Ile maintained that the present was a very fit time to consider the whole question of Coro-lave; and warned the landowners, that it might be forced upon them at a time when the opportunity of securing terms of compromise might be ffir less favourable.
At lite couelusion of the Home Secretary's speech, the House became riotous, and would not suffer Mr. Mn.sres, "who got upon his leeo" to proceed with his oration. The Speaker declared that the attempt to stop the discussion by such means was most dis-
graceed ; but Mr. A ISERCROM ItY'S reprimand was disregarded by the mob of 2,reinbers, and the third night's debate closed without a dlvi,lon.
There leave we the Representatives of' the People.
Pr) eeding to the Upper House, we find the Lords, on Thursday, eaeasee1 on the same subject. Earl Furzwiemasi moved a rosolu-
tioo the Corn-laws had failed to secure that steadiness of pri.: :;:aft ys eeseetial to the best interests of the country. The only e. ;el.:tams of this motion were the Earl of Rsiesou and Lord Bito!', ; the MACS of BUCKINGHAM, Riensmen, and WEL- LIN, ;T‘ IN, the Earl of RIPON, Lord Memiournee, and ilia Marquis of Lsese; !NV NE, opposing it. The majority was about ten to one- 224 to .2.-t—fbr a direct ,negative on the motion. Thus the Lords affirmed I eat the present Corn-laws have secured steadiness or price
The arsennents in their Lordships' House present no novel (.r striking f. attire ; but one or two points arising out of the discus- sion necv les noticed.
The Dune of IlreirstoNo said, that if' the Corn-laws were re- pealed, he would sell his property and depart with his capital and retainers to eat= happier land. After this, let nobody reproach the Menehester manufficturers with refusing "allegiance to the soil et Emdentl," There is ducal authority fin• the sentiment that petrio; fee! depends upon prices and profits.
Lord il.:a N f.'s speech was remarkable for the unneccesary velicimmee •::i..11 which he denounced the present movement to- wale:, ewe uncle, and avowed his determination to uphold the latel.e! maeotedy. He declared, "before God," that the proposi- tion to eboli.sh restrictions on commerce was " the maddest and wades., tied could be conceived. l3elbre he sat down, the Pre- mier cooled a little, and insinuated a salvo, which might serve him, in ease of need, hereafter he did not irrevocably pledge himself, inssooth, against an amendment of the law at some future time. But hie real feelings had been disclosed, and henceforth Lord AlE1.1;:,i'liNE must be regarded as the fast ally of the Tories on tide igwetion, and one of the most bigoted supporters of restric-
tion- cemunerce.
(Yoe eises from the study of the week's debates with a sense of wataiee- s. :mei especially with an impression that the feeble ease of the laded monopolists has not been laid before Parliament with even ordinary ability. We can point to misrepresentations and mistakes, wild notions, and self-refuting arguments ; but as yet no delusive elins haa been cleverly thrown over the rough mass of in- coherent untruth : the ingrained selfishness of the predominant interest is ofeensively glaring. A difficult task remains for PEEL, which he alone can perffirm with the requisite plausibility. The advoeates of free trade have been industrious and caruest,
and exhibited improvement in the application of new stores of litcts. Their speeches have, however, displayed little eloquence : the entire discussion exhibits few of the characteristics of a de-
bate ; being, Co. the most part, a collection of essays, put together and delivered e ithout reference to what others said on the same subject.
Neither of the two great parties have improved their position in the eye of the country. The Tories have taken their stand against the commercial classes, who will inevitably be soon joined by the bulk of the people. They have thus supplied a powerful stimulus to the flagging opposition of many, who had begun to regard their approaching return to power with indifference, if' not with hope.
They may return, but foredoomed to a short career, and to speeds extinction as a party. Their leaders feared the Irish Members but they have unwisely provoked a far more formidable cumbitin. tion. Before two or three years pass, no Ministry, committed, 4
they stand committed, to the Corn-laws, be suffered to exist hi England.
The Whigs might have reaped advantage from the necessity which compelled the Tory leaders to proclaim uncompromisine hostility to the demand for a free trade in grain : but they have Wei improved it. Lord :MELBOURNE has, on the contrary, Damaged to draw upon himself a fresh quantity Of public odium ; which the votes of his colleagues in the Commons will not neutralize. Never did a Ministry stand before the public iu so base a position as these men. One member of the Government, and he the Minister for Trade, " rejoices" in the renewed agitation of the Corn ques- tion; while the Premier, sitting in the same Cabinet, is "sorry that it should have been so agitated—sorry that it should have been brought forward at all," and anticipates dire calamity from the proceedings which his colleague encourages ! Again, the free trade principle is strongly advocated by the'Trade Minister, Pout-Aster Tuosisoxwhile the Premier, Viscount l'ilemterust, .t declares beffirc Goa" that it is "the wildest and maddest thing ht ever heard of." What principle of cohesion and of action can be. long to such an Administration as this?—bound together only by the resolution to retain as long as possible, ellueffileue mode, the personal igloo:nap:es of office ?
Meanwhile, though complete success may be distant, a large stile towards free trade has been made, and there is encourag: meat to proceed in the good cause. The conflict is only commenced. They who fancy that hostile majorities of two to one or of ten to one will stile the qu. alien, Inc deceived. The men who have un. dertaken the conduct of this movement, were prepared fbr, and will rise superior to, temporary defeat. They are taking up their
ground for a struggle of long duration, which-can never end but in complete victory. And with the abolition of Corn-laws, efte
changes, from which it cannot now he separated, will he seeena The time is gone by when the Aristocracy had only to deal with the Middle classes and their moderate demands.
