Page:History of the Anti corn law league - Volume 2.pdf/299

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THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.
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express my opinion—I appear as a landowner, as a farmer, and as a member of the aristocracy—and I maintain that I have a right to express my opinions (whatever newspapers may say) as well as any other man. Is a manufacturer to get up a large meeting whenever he pleases, and is not a landowner to be allowed to address the farmers, whose interest he has at heart? Ask the labourers of the county who are their best friends, and they will tell you the farmers; and if you poll the farmers, I do not think they will abuse the landlords, The Anti-Corn-Law League says that the Anti-Corn-Law League is everywhere; that when the Earl of Radnor speaks in the House of Lords it is there. Well then, when I get up in the House of Lords am I not entitled to say that the Protection Society is there? The Anti-Corn Law League took a great deal of pains to distribute their tracts; they distributed them in the Town Hall to-day, and in one of those tracts they have done me the honour to call me the 'Coronetted Fishmonger.' I inherit large fisheries in the north of Scotland, and I can assure you that I have suffered very much by free trade; but I am obliged to those who distribute that tract amongst you, for they have given my portrait, and I hope you will all take it home; cut the nonsensical writing away, but keep the portrait, and tell your neighbours and friends, and instil it into the minds of your children, that the 'Coronetted Fishmonger' never forgot his duty to the farmers." The Duke, in conclusion, paid the following compliment to himself and his class:—" If you do not wish to act with your landlords against them: but let me assure you that you will find your landlords your best friends. There is one great good which has resulted from this society, namely, that it enables us to state in parliament that the landlord, the tenant, and the labourer feel they have the same interest and are united in their opinions."

The Parliamentary Session for 1845 was opened by the Queen in person, on Tuesday, February 4th. The speech