which surrounded him? and were not all the power and all the honours of his high office but a poor compensation for the cares which then pressed upon him? The condition of the country was such as to excite the liveliest apprehensions; and I am sure there is not a man in this kingdom more thankful for the change of seasons than is the right hon. baronet. It is said we have found no fault with the present law. Is there a feature about the old law which is not discoverable in this? And when the same circumstances come round, the same results will assuredly be produced. (Cheers.) During fair weather the Corn Law is partially in operation; its hideous features are to a great extent disguised; but good harvests will not always be granted as; and, when the unfortunate seasons come round again, then again will come disaster and distress. Must we wait for justice till events compel you to grant it? (Cheers.) Why not abolish restriction now, whilst we have a respite? (Cheers) You may shuffle and evade the question, you may use sophistry, you may deny our facts and disregard our arguments, but this you will never disprove, that this Corn Law which you cherish is a law to make a scarcity of food in this country, that your own rents may be increased. The noble lord the member for North Lancashire himself acknowledged that the Corn Law raised prices and raised rents, and did not raise wages. It leaves all other classes to bear the effects of the fiercest competition, whilst it shelters the landlords altogether from competition. (Cheers.) I am convinced that, whatever may be the feelings of confidence now entertained by the right hon. baronet, whenever bad harvests again occur, he will either abolish this law or his Govenment will be overthrown, as was the Government he succeeded by the bad harvests we have lately suffered from. I do not wish this law to be repealed in times of excitement, nor do I wish its destruction to be achieved as a great party victory; I would rather it word for ever abolished by the unanimous verdict of the honest and intelligent classes of the country. We should regard it as a question of great national interest, not as one affecting our own profits or property; we should legislate upon it in such a manner that, laying our hands upon our hearts, we may say that we have dealt with it on great and just principles, with an honest regard to the common good, and not merely with regard to the claims of a particular interest." (Loud cheers.)
Colonel Sibthorpe followed in his usual style, after which Mr. Villiers briefly replied. On division the numbers were:—
| For the motion | 121 |
| Against it | 330 |
| ——— | |
| Majority against the motion | 206 |
