led by men of station, character, and substance-men of enlarged education, and of that virtuous and decorous conduct which distinguishes the middle class of England, Yet it was believed-believed by men of education, by men in parliament, by men in attendance on the government that the Anti-Corn-Law League sanctioned assassination, and did not object to carry its aims by means of it. This is, perhaps, the strongest manifestation of the tribulation of the time. In the midst of it a strange and mournful scene took place in the House of Commons—a scene which would willingly be forgotten, but that the Spirit of History must forget nothing which indicates or affects the course of events. Sir R. Peel was ill, harassed with public anxieties, and deeply wounded in his private feelings, by the murder of his secretary, who was also his intimate friend, Mr. Cobden was then little known—at least, by his opponents. He was known as the chief man of the League; and the League was believed to patronize assassination!"
The fifth night's debate was opened by Mr. Mark Philips, who refuted heavy charges made by Mr. Ferrand against the humanity of manufacturers. He was followed by the other member for Manchester, Mr. Gibson, who thoroughly refuted Sir James Graham's assertion as to the increase of factories. Lord Ellesmere was the only speaker on the ministerial side who suggested a remedy for the distress it was, the voluntary dissolution of the League! The debate, as between whigs and tories on Corn Law repeal, was in substance this. The party out asked, "Why don't do it?" The party in retorted, "Why did'nt you do it?" Mr. Cobden's speech, for which Sir Robert Peel had waited till near midnight, was thus characterized by the Morning Post, a paper not prone to compliment any member of the League:—
