might be the result in other places, Lincolnshire would be found true to the principle of protection. The result proved most disastrous to the bread taxers. At three o'clock, the appointed hour of meeting, upwards of three thousand persons assembled round the commodious hustings which had been constructed for the occasion, and which was crowded with the more influential persons of the city and neighbourhood. As Mr. Cobden had been detained in town by his parliamentary duties the evening previous, he arrived from Nottingham at half past three only. Mr. Bright opened the proceedings with a long and able address, which was followed by Mr. Cobden, who went through the argument exclusively applicable to the agriculturists, and clearly proved that neither farmers nor farm labourers had the slightest interest in maintaining the Corn Laws. The audience, which was at first cautious and doubtful, gradually threw aside its reserve, and warmed into enthusiasm as the speakers unfolded their views of the question, and at the conclusion of their speeches it was quite evident which way the judgment of the auditory would go. A motion having been submitted by Mr. Norton in favour of the immediate abolition of the Corn Law, an amendment was proposed by Mr. Moore, of Redburn, a respectable farmer, in favour of protection, upon which a discussion took place, at the close of which the decision of the meeting was taken by a show of hands, when at least five to one declared in favour of free trade.
On Wednesday, June 1st, a great meeting of the Liverpool Anti-Monopoly Association and the friends of free trade was held in the Music Hall, which was addressed by Mr. Chas Holland, Mr. Lawrence Heyworth, Mr. Thomas Baines, Mr. Christopher Bentham, Mr. Richard Sheil, Mr, Leech, and by myself as a deputy from the League. I took the opportunity of expressing my conviction, afterwards proved to be well-founded, that South Lancashire might return two free-trade members.
