Page:History of the Anti corn law league - Volume 2.pdf/176

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LORD MORPETH AND THE WHIGS.

call upon them not to lay aside those politics merely for a season, but almost, if not altogether, to forget their existence. With respect to the charge brought against the League, that their object in endeavouring to procure cheap corn was to bring down wages, it was one which had often been refuted, and which he himself most distinctly denied. The firm to which he belonged employed 1,500 persons, and he could affirm that, generally speaking, their wages had been the highest which corn had been at the cheapest, and they had been the lowest when there had been a scarcity. (Cheers.) Much of the influence of every movement depended upon the character of those who took a leading part in it, and especially of those who presided over it. He tad not the pleasure of knowing personally Mr. Wilson, the chairman of the League, but he had marked that gentleman's public course, and had read his addresses, and it was his first impression that much of the progress of the League itself was to be attributed to the care, judgment, persevering energy, and an impeachable character of Mr. Wilson, its chairman. (Great cheering.) He had, therefore, very great pleasure in moving the toast, George Wilson, Esq., and may the labours of the Anti-Corn-Law League be speedily crowded with success." (Cheers.) The toast was drunk with several rounds of applause."

In the absence of Mr. Wilson, whose duties at the council of the League, in London, prevented his attendance, Mr. H. Ashworth acknowledged the toast. Mr. Bazley proposed the health of the chairman of the meeting, which was drunk with great applause. The chairman returned thanks. The health of Col. Thompson was then proposed by Mr. Schwann. Col. Thompson acknowledged the compliment in one of his happiest modes, and concluded by proposing the health of Mr. Plint, who returned thanks. The meeting was protracted considerably beyond twelve o'clock, and the greater part of the company remained to the latest moment, special trains having been retained at the several railway stations, to convey parties to their respective homes.

The high character of Lord Morpeth gave a promise that his qualified adoption of the League's great principle would soon become unqualified. All who knew him knew that when he wished it "God speed" he would feel it to