"It may be all very well, at agricultural meetings, to talk of the advantages of long leases, of tile-draining, &c., and to drink the health of the labourers; but to what good effect? Long leases are, in certain districts, and under certain well-known circumstances, desirable enough; good draining bas long been understood and practised, where there have been sufficient means, sufficient enterprise, and a boil requiring it; praise has no doubt been deservedly lavished upon the farm labourers; but there is something still to be done much more important to them, which is, to give them the means of obtaining an honest and independent livelihood—solid padding being preferable to empty praise—and this cannot be effected without the abrogation of these mischievous enactments.
"I have much pleasure in sending a contribution of £500 to your fund; and I venture to express a hope that you will not relax your endeavours until you have stained from government, in whatever hands it may happen to be, the fullest measure of free trade compatible with what is due to the maintenance of public credit.
"I remain, sir, your most obedient servant,
"George Wilson, Esq.,
Chairman of the Council of the National
Anti-Corn-Law League."
The League was as strong in the high character, the ability, the perseverance, and the energy of its leading members, as it was in its money resources. The Shibboleth of the "sliding scale" was undefended, and the demand of those who had used it was mitigated into a prayer that Peel's bill, substituting a 20s. for a 385. 8d. duty, both equally exclusive of imports, should have a fair trial; and the other Shibboleth of a "moderate fixed duty" was used only to effect that sort of half-way-house compromise, through which a party out might become a party in. Why did not government yield under these circumstances? Simply because it had an unreasoning majority in both houses of parliament. The members of the Commons had been elected in 1841, while the landowners and the farmers were alarmed by the progress of the League, but before the League had made its power felt on the hustings. They were elected for seven years; and for the remainder
