MANCHESTER ASSOCIATION.
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by the energy of the Association. "In every concern," he said, "I hear of fewer hands employed, and in every direction I hear of wages being reduced. Where then do we find the boasted advantages of the high price of food?" Amongst other resolutions moved was one by Mr. W. Rawson, that a copy of the Anti-Corn-Law Circular be sent to every clergyman in Manchester and Salford. I spoke at some length in seconding the motion, and stated that in Scotland the churches and chapels had been thrown open to Mr. Paulton, and that in my short excursions into Cheshire three places of worship had been at my service; there was good ground for hope when the question was no longer regarded as one of mere profit to particular classes, but as one of high religious and moral feeling among the people generally. Mr. Cobden, after attributing the failure of former movements against the Corn Law to the fear of "embarrassing the government," said:—
"There is no cry that will avail candidates at next election but that of 'no bread tax.' I appeal to our experience at Walsall for a confirmation of this fact. The humbler class of voters would not respond to the older cry of whig or tory, and the same was the case at East Surrey, but so effectually had repeal possessed itself of the people of Walsall, owing to the information circulated there on the subject by the members of the League, and more especially by the aid of our talented lecturer, Mr. Acland, that Smith was never once asked his political opinions. There was not one question put, either during his canvas or on the hustings as to whether he was whig or tory. In his address he never mentioned one word of his political opinions, and all the time he was there I believe not an individual put a question to him as to party politics. This is a remarkable fact, and there cannot be a doubt that at the general election, come when it may, the great rallying cry will be, 'no bread tax.' Mr. Acland is here, and I appeal to him, who has had much experience of public opinion, whether he thinks it would be possible for the lecturers to carry public opinion with them were they to recommend anything less than the full measure of justice the total and immediate repeal of the Corn Laws?"
Mr. Acland, thus appealed to, declared his conviction that it was only by standing on the rock of justice that he
