Page:History of the Anti corn law league.pdf/290

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274
UNANIMITY OF PURPOSE.

Dixon, Esq., of Carlisle, was called to the chair, and the following resolutions were passed:—

"That the Council of the League be requested to draw up for publication, from authentic sources, the most ample details of the acts of class legislation which have been inflicted on this country by the land owners."

"That this meeting recommends that memorials from the females of the United Kingdom be presented to the Queen, praying her Majesty to exercise her royal prerogative in favour of the immediate and total repeal of the corn and provision taxes."

"That all the present anti-corn-law associations he requested to extend and perfect their organization for the purpose of proceeding immediately to get up petitions, and otherwise forwarding the cause of repeal; and that in the opinion of this meeting, it is very desirable that all petitions should be ready for presentation prior to the assembling of Parliament."

"That a meeting of deputies, from all parts of the kingdom, be assembled in London, on or about the commencement of next session of Parliament, of which due notice will be given by the Council of the League."

"That, in the opinion of this meeting, the great principle of the total and immediate repeal should be brought forward in the next session of Parliament at the earliest possible period; the precise time to be decided upon by the general meeting of deputies to assemble in London

"That at this, the earliest meeting of the anti-corn-law associations after the Conference of Ministers to consider the Corn and Provision Laws of the country, the strongest approval of their proceedings be expressed by the gentlemen now assembled; and that a communication be made to the ministers who attended, and those who concurred in the propriety of that conference, conveying this approval, and entreating them to continue and increase their co-operation for the immediate and total repeal of the Corn Laws."

These resolutions were passed unanimously. Men not knowing the course of procedure in the business meetings of the League, have expressed astonishment that so much unanimity prevailed, and that Manchester should be the head quarters of the movement from its commencement until its termination. The singleness of the object tended to the first. It was simply to obtain the repeal of the Corn Laws to have no Corn Law, as the title of the various associations declared. Thus there could be no