Page:History of the Anti corn law league - Volume 2.pdf/67

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MR. BRIGHT.
53

had gone in Germany; in America it had never existed. The question now was, whether the feudal system in this country was to flourish beside an advancing and progressive' manufacturing and commercial community! There were manufacturing and commercial communities in other countries, where feudalism did not exist. They would exist here by the side of feudalism, if feudalism would allow them, but if not hy the side of feudalism, feudalism would not be permitted to stop the progress of civilization; if not by the side of it, then the manufacturing and commercial interests would flourish upon the rains of feudalism. (Cheers.) He had only to ask every class that loved justice, that loved humanity, that wished well, not only to the physical, but to the moral, the intellectual, and the religious well-being of their countrymen, to take home with them the sentiments which they had heard that might, to lay them to heart, examine them carefully; and if, after examining the question, they felt convinced of the enormity of the iniquity of which they complained, then they would indeed be accountable if they did not do all that they could, according to the talents which God had committed to them, to abolish this most monstrous evil"

John Bright, described as of Rochdale, not long to need a local designation, followed Cobden, with as accurate a knowledge of his subject, more passionate vehemence, and perhaps occasionally with more immediate power. After describing, with great effect, the pauperized condition of the country, and earnestly warning that great audience that London would not long remain exempt from the general wretchedness, he said:

"There was no institution of this country—the monarchy, aristocracy, the church, or any other whatever—of which he would not say, 'Attach it to the Corn Low, and I will predict its fate.' (Cheers.) In this country everything which he held dear was contained. In countries not far off, they had seen institutions shaken to their foundation by dire calamities. They had seen crowns and hierarchies shaken to the dust; they had seen ranks, and orders, and parties overthrown; but there tras one party which survived all this, and that party was, the people. (Great cheering.) Whatever convulsion might happen in this country, whatever orders might be overthrown, the people would survive. (Renewed cheers.)

'Thare's yet an earth a far augnater thing.
Small though it be, than parliament, or king.'

(Cheers.) A writer of great ability and reputation had said of Sir