petitioning, was unanimously passed: Resolved,— "That the announcement of a new Corn Law renders it desirable that the friends of free trade throughout the kingdom should originate petitions for the total and immediate abolition of all laws imposing duties on foreign corn and provisions."
The country was ready to respond to this invitation. It gave the assurance that the League would seek no compromise; that Sir Robert Peel's measure was not the League's measure; and that, if the members of the League could throw it out, and replace it with their own, they unquestionably would. There was no fear of "embarrassing Sir R. Peel." The conviction was that, looking at the bitterness of his opponents, he would be more embarrassed if the free traders departed one iota from their just demand. Amidst that universally reiterated demand, the triumphant return of Lord Morpeth for the West Riding of Yorkshire, gave additional energy to the agitation, as a demonstration from the constituency which most fully and fairly represented public opinion in England.
On Monday, February 9th, when the order of the day was moved that the House should resolve itself into committee on the propositions of the Government, Mr. Philip Miles moved, as an amendment, that the House should go into committee "that day six months." The amendment was seconded by Sir W. Heathcote. The Hon. Mr. Lascelles supported ministers; Lord Norreys expressed his dismay that their sweeping propositions. Mr. A. B. Cocrane ridiculed the idea that members were never to change their minds. Mr. Deedes, of Kent, took the protective side. Sir John Walsh prognosticated utter ruin to the farmer and farm labourer. Mr. A. G. Beresford Hope denounced Peel as an apostate. Lord Sandon spoke strongly against the propositions, and yet said he would vote for them. Lord John Russell would support the propositions, if in committee the right hon. baronet would substitute
