LEAGUES—HOW TO PREVENT THEM. linz ablest and most consistent of
the Protectionist journals is scandalized at the share imputed to the Anti-Corn-law League, by Sir Robert Peel, and by another paper, in the late legislation. "Shall the British public," asks the Protectionist, " for the future look to the Government and to statesmen for direction in regard to public affairs, or to brawling demagogues, with all the ma- chinery of hired agitation at their command ?" and the writer is severe on Sir Robert Peel, who is not "free from the obliga- tion to cringe or flatter," and upon " a coarse impetuous man of the name of Richard Cobden." We fear, indeed, that the reign of "hired agitation" is only begun; • the League has set it going so cleverly. See how profitable it promises to be. There is a bonus of 10,0001. on speculation in the office of Chairman Why, it is a downright institution of patronage like that of Royalty, for subscription societies I Of course such a prospect of profit will draw talent of the highest grade into the market, and agita- tion will become an established profession in rich England as well as in poor Ireland.
"If this is to be so," cries the indignant Tory, " what chance have the working classes ?" Last week the Morning Post, denouncing the tyranny. of the House of Commons, to which in passing the Corn Bill the Lords succumbed, amusingly sug- gested as a remedy? the restoration of an absolute Monarchy with a powerful territorial Aristocracy. Another remedy occurs to us for the endangered interests of the working classes, and we recommend it to the consideration of the Morning Post. These " Leagues " or National Conventions appear to be but the com- plement of a defective national representation, the constituencies not faithfully and fully declaring the popular will : how far would the ugly organizations be superseded, neutralized, and an- nulled, by a full representation—universal suffrage ?
Previous page
