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Yes it has been done--the great experiment is being tried; may it prove as safe and successful as it is bold and well meant |
It must be regarded however as only a part of the entire scheme proposed by Sir Robert Peel and judged of accordingly with reference also to the necessity of his position arising from the last acts of his predecessors--from the spirit and temper of the age |
The long-continued languor and prostration of our commerce undoubtedly required some decisive but cautious and well-considered movement in the _direction_ of free-trade |
How far we shall be met in the same spirit by France Germany Russia and America as has been long confidently predicted by those whose opinions have been perseveringly and vehemently urged upon the public now remains to be seen |
_Felix faustumque sit!_ But at present at all events our example seems not likely to be followed by those on whom we most calculated and time alone can decide between our course and theirs--between the doctrines of the old and of the new school of political economy--as to which is the short-sighted and mischievous--which the sagacious and successful policy |
The powerful protection afforded by the new Tariff to our colonial produce is one of its most interesting and satisfactory features |
That however which has justly attracted to it incomparably the greatest share of public attention and discussion is the introduction of foreign cattle |
This topic is one requiring to be spoken of in a diffident spirit and most guarded language |
Whether it will effect its praiseworthy object of lowering the price of animal food without being overbalanced by its injurious effects upon our all-important agricultural interests we shall not for some considerable time be in a condition to determine |
At present it would appear that the alarm of the farmers on this score was premature and excessive and is subsiding |
The combined operation of this part of the new Tariff and of the reduction in the duties on the importation of foreign corn may ultimately have the effect of lowering the rent of the farmer and of stimulating him into a more energetic and scientific cultivation of the land; and generally of inducing very important modifications in the present arrangements between landlords and tenants |
In some of the most recent agricultural meetings speeches have been made from which many journalists have inferred the existence of rapidly-increasing convictions on the part of the agricultural interest that a sweeping alteration in the Corn-Law is inevitable and immediate |
They are however attaching far too much weight to a few sentences uttered amidst temporary excitement by a few country gentlemen in some eight or ten places only in the whole kingdom |
Let them _pause_ at all events till they shall have more authentic _data_ viz |
what the agricultural members of Parliament will say in their places in the ensuing session |
Much of the sort of panic experienced by the country gentlemen alluded to may be referred to a recent paragraph in the _Globe_ newspaper confidently announcing the intention of Ministers to propose a fixed duty on corn |
The glaring improbability that even _were_ such a project contemplated by Ministers they would (forgetting their characteristic caution and reserve) agitate the public mind on so critical a question and derange vast transactions and arrangements in the corn trade by its premature divulgement; and above all constitute the _Globe_ newspaper their confidential organ upon the occasion should alone have satisfied the most credulous of its unwarrantable and preposterous character |
We acquit the _Globe_ newspaper of intentional mischief but charge it with great _thoughtlessness_ of consequences |
To return however for a moment to that topic in the new Tariff most important to farmers |
We believe that since the day (9th July 1842) in which the new Tariff became the law of the land the entire importation of cattle from the Continent has fallen far short of a single fortnight's sale at Smithfield; but whether this will be the state of things two years or even a twelvemonth hence is another matter |
At present at all events the new Tariff has had the beneficial effect of really lowering the price of provisions and of other articles of consumption essentially conducing to the comforts of the labouring classes |
May _this_ in any event be a _permanent_ result; and who could have brought it about except such a Ministry as that of Sir Robert Peel possessing their combined qualifications means and opportunities and equally bent upon using them promptly and honestly? [5] Year ending 5th January 1840 L |
2 390 764!--1841 L |
1 342 604!--1842 L |
1 495 540!--(_Finance Accounts_ 1842 p |
2 |
) No sooner had that Parliament which had passed in its first session such a number of great measures having for their object the immediate benefit of the lower orders (and it may really be said almost wholly at the expense of the higher orders ) separated after its exhausting labours than there occurred those deplorable and alarming outrages in the principal manufacturing districts which so ill requited the benevolent exertions of the Legislature in their behalf |
They exhibited some features of peculiar malignity--many glaring indications of the existence of a base and selfish hidden conspiracy against the cause of law of order and of good government |
Who were the real originators and contrivers of that wicked movement and what their objects is a question which we shall not here discuss but leave in the hands of the present keen and vigilant Government and of the Parliament so soon to be assembled |
If a single chance of bringing the really guilty parties to justice--of throwing light on the actors and machinery of that atrocious conspiracy shall be thrown away the public interests will have been grievously betrayed |
On this subject however we have no apprehensions whatever and pass on heartily to congratulate the country on possessing a Government which acted on the trying occasion in question with such signal promptitude energy and prudence |
Not one moment was lost in faltering indecision; never was the majesty of the law more quickly and completely vindicated never was there exhibited a more striking and gratifying instance of a temperate and discriminating exercise of the vast powers of the executive |
The incessant attention of all functionaries from the very highest to the lowest by night and by day on that occasion at the Home-Office (including the Attorney and Solicitor-General ) would hardly be credited; _mercy to the misguided_ but instant vengeance upon the guilty instigators of rebellion was then from first to last the rule of action |
The enemies of public tranquillity reckoned fearfully without their host in forgetting who presided at the Home-Office and who at the Horse Guards |
Nothing could be better than the Government examination into the real causes of the outbreak instituted upon the spot the very moment it was over while evidence was fresh and accessible and of which the guilty parties concerned have a great deal yet to hear |
The Special Commission for the trial of the rioters was also issued with salutary expedition |
The prosecutions were carried on by the Attorney and Solicitor-General on the part of the Crown in a dignified spirit at once of forbearance and determination and with a just discrimination between the degree of culpability disclosed |
The merciful spirit in which the prosecutions were conducted by the law-officers of the Crown was repeatedly pointed out to the misguided criminals by the Judges; who on many occasions intimated that the Government had chosen to indict for the minor offence only when the facts would have undoubtedly warranted an indictment for high treason with all its terrible consequences |
Before quitting this incidental topic of legal proceedings let us add a word upon the substantial improvements effected in the administration of justice during the late session and of which the last volume of the statute-book affords abundant evidence principally under the heads of bankruptcy insolvency and lunacy |
Great and salutary alterations have been effected in these departments as well as various others; the leading statutory changes being most ably carried into effect by the Lord Chancellor who continues to preside over his court and to discharge his high and multifarious duties with his accustomed dignity and sagacity |
His recent bankruptcy appointments have certainly been canvassed by the Radical press with sufficient freedom but on very insufficient grounds |
_No_ appointments could have been made against which unscrupulous faction might not have raised a clamour |
That temporarily excited in the present instance has quite died away |
The appointments in question have undoubtedly been made with a due regard to the public interest; but did the intelligent censors of the Radical press expect that those appointments of L |
1500 a-year would be sought for or accepted by men at the bar already making their L |
3000 L |
5000 L |
8000 or L |
10 000 a-year and aspiring to the very highest honours of their profession? The gentlemen who have accepted these appointments are many of them personally known to us as very acute and able practical men who will be found to give the utmost satisfaction in the discharge of their duties to both the profession and the public |
The two Vice-Chancellors Sir James L |
Knight Bruce and Sir James Wigram are admirable appointments |
Each must have resigned a practice very far exceeding--perhaps doubling or even trebling--their present salaries of office |
The transference to the former without any additional salary of the office of Chief Judge in Bankruptcy (vacant by the recent death of Sir John Cross ) was a highly advantageous and economical arrangement for the public at the willing expense of Vice-Chancellor Knight Bruce |
May we here be allowed to allude for an instant to a very delicate topic--the new Poor-Law--simply to call attention to the resolute support of it by the present Government (whether right or wrong) as at least a pretty decisive evidence of their uprightness and independence |
On this sore subject we shall not dwell nor do we feel bound to offer any opinion of our own as to the alleged merits or demerits of the new Poor-Law; but it certainly looks as though Ministers had resolved to do what they _believed_ to be right _ruat caelum_ |
What other motive they can have is to us at least inconceivable |
Let us again point with undisguised triumph to IRELAND as a very striking instance of the results of a sound and firmly-administered Conservative policy |
The late Government misgoverned Ireland in order that they might be allowed to continue misgoverning England |
Their memory will ever be execrated for their surrender of that fair portion of the empire into the hands of a political reprobate and impostor of whom we cannot trust ourselves to speak and the like of whom has never yet appeared and it is to be hoped never will again appear in British history |
Immediately before and after their expulsion from office they pointed to this scene of their long misconduct and with a sort of heartless jocularity asked Sir Robert Peel "What he meant to do with Ireland?"--adding that whatever else he might be able to do by the aid of intrigue and corruption "he could _never_ govern Ireland |
" How _now_ gentlemen? What will you find to lay to the charge of Ministers in the coming session? What has become of your late patron Mr O'Connel? Is "his occupation gone?" Is he spending the short remainder of his respectable old age at Darrynane even (begging pardon of the noble animal for the comparison) --"like a worn-out lion in a cave That goes not out to prey?" What can you any longer do or affect to do old gentleman to earn your honourable wages? Is there not (as the lawyers would style it) a failure of consideration? If you go on any longer collecting "the rent " may you not be liable to an indictment for obtaining money under false pretences? Poor old soul! his cuckoo cry of Repeal grows feebler and feebler; yet he must keep it up or starve |
_Tempus abire senex! satis clamasti!_ That Ireland is still subject to great evils recent occurrences painfully attest |
Mr Pitt in 1799 (23d January ) pointed out what may still be regarded as their true source:--"I say that Ireland is subject to great and deplorable evils which have a deep root: for they lie in the nature of the country itself in the present character manners and habits of its people; in their want of intelligence or in other words in their ignorance; in the unavoidable separation of certain classes; in the state of property; in its religious distinctions; in the rancour which bigotry engenders and superstition rears and cherishes |
"[6] How many of these roots of evil are still in existence! [6] Parliamentary History vol |
xxxiv |
p |
271 |
But consider what we have done even already for Ireland by giving her the blessings of a strong and honest Government; what a blow we have aimed at absenteeism in a particular provision of our income-tax! _Nil desperandum_ gentlemen give us a little time to unravel your long tissue of misgovernment; and in the mean time make haste and go about in quest of a _grievance_ if you can find one against the ensuing session |
Depend upon it we will redress it! * * * * * The present aspect of foreign affairs is calculated to excite mixed feelings of pain and exultation in the breast of a thoughtful observer |
The national character of Great Britain had unquestionably fallen in European estimation and lost much of the commanding influence of its mere name during the last few years preceding the accession to office of the present Government |
That was an event--viz |
the formation of a Cabinet at St James's containing Sir Robert Peel the Duke of Wellington Lord Aberdeen and Lord Stanley--which justly excited an instant and great sensation in all foreign courts regard being had to the critical circumstances of the times |
Every one both at home and abroad knew well that if WAR was at hand here was a Government to conduct it on the part of Great Britain even under the most adverse circumstances imaginable with all our accustomed splendour and success |
But all knew at the same time that imminent as was the danger if a profound statesmanship could avert it consistently with the preservation of the national honour that danger would promptly disappear |
The new Cabinet instantly proclaimed themselves "lovers of peace but not afraid of war;" and an altered tone of feeling and policy was quickly observable on the Continent |
The peculiar position and interests of Great Britain impose upon her one paramount obligation--to interfere as little as possible with the affairs of other nations especially in Europe--_never_ except upon compulsion--when bound by treaty or when the eye of a profound and watchful statesmanship has detected in existence unquestionable elements of danger to the general peace and welfare of the world |
To be always scrutinizing the movements of foreign states with a view to convicting them of designs to destroy the balance of power (as it is called) in Europe and thereupon evincing a disposition to assume an offensively distrustful and hostile attitude requiring explanations and disclaimers and negotiations which every one knows the slightest miscarriage may convert into inevitable pretexts and provocatives of war--is really almost to court the destruction of our very national existence |
If there was one principle of action possessed by the late Government to be regarded as of more importance than another it was that of maintaining peace and non-intervention in the affairs of other nations |
This indeed was emblazoned upon the banner unfurled by Lord Grey on advancing to the head of affairs |
Can it however be necessary to show how systematically--how perilously--this principle was set at nought by the late Government? As represented by Lord Palmerston Great Britain had got to be regarded as the most pestilent intrusive mischief-making of neighbours |
A little longer and our name would have actually _stunk in the nostrils_ of Europe |
Some began to hate us; others to despise us!! all to cease _dreading_ us |
In the language of a powerful journalist (the _Spectator_ ) opposed on most points to the present Government "the late Ministers commenced a career perilous in the extreme to all the best interests of the nation--demoralizing public opinion wasting public resources and entangling the country in quarrels alike endless and aimless; and all this with a labouring after melodramatic stage effect and a regardlessness of consequences perfectly unprecedented |
" We were in the words of truth and soberness fast losing our moral ascendency in Europe--by a series of querulous petty officious needless undignified interpositions; by the exhibition of a vacillating and short-sighted policy; by appearing (novel position for Great Britain) "willing to wound but yet afraid to strike;" by conceiving and executing idle and preposterous schemes of aggrandizement and conquest |
To go no further in Europe than our immediate neighbour France let us ask whether Lord Palmerston did not bring us to the very verge and keep us at it for many months of actual war with that power which is always unhappily eager to "cry hurra and let slip the dogs of war;" and with reference to _us_ to go out of their way to create occasions for misunderstanding and hostilities? Were we not really on the verge of war?--of a war which would have instantly kindled all over Europe a war of extermination? Not however to descend to the discussion of recent occurrences familiar to every body we shall very briefly advert to the state of our relations with America with China and of our affairs in British India when Sir Robert Peel assumed the direction of affairs |
Lord Palmerston has never been sufficiently called to account for his long most disgraceful and perilous neglect of our serious differences with America; and which had brought us to within a hair's-breadth of a declaration of war which whatever might have been its issue (possibly not difficult to have foreseen ) would have been disastrous to both countries and to one of them utterly destructive |
It is notorious that within the last eighteen or twenty months every arrival from the west was expected to bring intelligence of the actual commencement of hostilities |
The state of public feeling towards us in America was being every hour more exasperated and malignant |
The accession of the present Government opened however a bright and happy prospect of an adjustment of all difficulties; honourable to both parties |
How long had they been in power before they had earned universal applause by their prompt and masterly move in dispatching Lord Ashburton to America on his delicate difficult and most responsible mission? Was ever man selected for a great public duty so peculiarly and consummately fitted for it? And how admirably has he discharged it! as our opponents may hear for themselves early in the ensuing session |
Do Ministers deserve no credit for hitting on this critical device? Was it no just cause of congratulation to be able to find such a person amongst the ranks of their own immediate and most distinguished supporters? We are now happily at perfect peace with America; and notwithstanding some present untoward appearances trust that both countries will soon reap the advantages of it |
Of what real _value_ that peace may be however with reference to their extensive commercial relations with us is another question dependent entirely on the character which they may vindicate to themselves for honour and fidelity in their pecuniary transactions |
That rests with themselves alone: whether they will go forward in a career of improvement and greatness or sink into irretrievable disgrace and ruin REPUDIATED and scouted by all mankind |
We cannot quit America without a very anxious allusion to late occurrences in Canada |
We feel words inadequate to express our sense of the transcendent importance of preserving in their integrity our Canadian possessions |
No declaration of her Majesty since her accession gave greater satisfaction to her subjects than that of her inflexible determination to preserve inviolate her possessions in Canada |
We are of opinion that Lord Durham did incalculable and perhaps irreparable mischief there |
We have no time however to enter into details concerning either his policy and proceedings or those of Lord Sydenham; and we are exceedingly anxious also to offer no observations on the recent movements of Sir Charles Bagot beyond a frank expression of the profound anxiety with which we await Ministerial explanations in the ensuing session |
Before these pages shall have met the reader's eyes Sir Charles Bagot may be no longer numbered among men |
We therefore withhold all comment on his late proceedings which we are satisfied have originated in an anxious desire to serve the best interests of his country |