Page:History of the Anti corn law league - Volume 2.pdf/169

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WEST RIDING SUBSCRIPTION.
155

Esq.;—Wrightson, jun., Esq.; Mark Philips, Esq., M.P.; Thomas Birkbeck, Esq., of Settle; and Thomas Thornley, Esq., M.P.; all of whom signified their approbation of the objects of the meeting, and regretted their inability to attend it. He then read a report, which embodied a statement of the amounts collected in the different districts of the county in the present and the preceding year. The totals of each district were as follow:—

Districts. 1843. 1844.
Leeds £1743 £3876
Barnsley 100 255
Sheffield —— 1000
Doncaster 75 100
Bradford 1000 2768
Haddersfield 1805 2150
Halifax 1030 1835
Hebden Bridge 250 500
Brighouse 64 90
Wakefield 129 357
Holmfirth —— 212
  ——— ———
Total £6,196 £13,143

The chairman, after some introductory remarks, said that the League had not gained the position it held by any unworthy compromises, and he added:—

"It cannot, however, be other than a great encouragement to us to find that men who are now our firmest supporters come from the ranks of the noblest and wealthiest of the landed proprietors—(cheers)—from the largest and most skilful agriculturists; as well as from the toiling millions, both in town and country. (Cheers.) Bat whilst we are welcoming new converts, there is another welcome to be spoken of to-day. Lord Morpeth—Here the whole assemblage rose as one man, and commenced cheering, characterised by the most intense enthusiasm, which did not subside for several minutes. At times it appeared to die away, and silence to be about to be restored, but again and again it was renewed with redoubled energy.) Lord Morpeth is no new convert to the principles of free trade. He is no new visitor of these large meetings of the West Riding. It is because we know him so well-because We know him as a statesman and a man—because we know the qualities