Page:History of the Anti corn law league.pdf/330

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314
RESOLUTIONS.

the author of "The Corn-Law Catechism," seconded by Mr. Harner Stansfield, of Leeds, were passed unanimously:

"That, in the opinion of this meeting, the measure announced by her Majesty's government on the subject of the Corn Laws, so far from holding out the slightest prospect of any relief of the distress of the country, is an insult to a patient and suffering people; and the deputies view such a proposal as an indication that the landed aristocracy of this country are destitute of all sympathy for the poor, and are resolved, if permitted by an outraged people, to persist in a course of selfish policy, which will involve the destruction of every interest in the country."

"That the deputies now present, having further deliberately considered the proposition of her Majesty's government on the subject of Corn Laws, this evening announced in the House of Commons, deem it their duty on their own behalf, and in the name of their constituents, to record their emphatic condemnation of it, and their solemn protest against it, as a total denial of the just demands of the people of this country, and as evincing a determination to perpetuate an oppressive, an unrighteous system, together with all the essential evils resulting from the operation of the existing Corn Laws."

"That the anti-corn-law associations throughout the United Kingdom, and all other friends to an immediate and total abolition of all duties and restrictions upon the necessary food of the people, are earnestly requested to take measures for expressing, without delay, in every constitutional manner, their hostility to the proposed measure of her Majesty's government, and their fixed and unalterable determination not to relax in their exertions until a measure of complete justice is obtained, and to consent to no compromise of the sacred principle upon which the agitation for the abolition of the Corn Law is based."

"That, to the end that every available support may be given to Mr. Villiers, in his intended resolution for the total and immediate repeal of the Corn and Provision Laws, the deputies recommend that all petitions be forwarded immediately for presentation, and that any protests or resolutions calculated to sustain the deputation in the approaching contests may be forwarded to the office of the Metropolitan Anti-Corn-Law Association, 448, Strand, London."

"That it is desirable that these resolutions be immediately published in the provincial papers, and that the committees of anti-corn-law associations be requested to take measures to effect that object."

A memorial to the Queen was also agreed to, expressing utter want of confidence in her Majesty's advisers, or in any ministers who would not propose the repeal of the