Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 67, No. 416, June 1850Various
General
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 67, No. 416, June 1850
Various
England -- Periodicals; Scotland -- Periodicals
Very different, indeed, was the reception which the delegates
received from Lord Stanley. At this peculiar crisis, before the many
hundreds of gentlemen who had assembled in the metropolis from all
parts of the United Kingdom separated, each to report progress to
those of his own county or district, it was determined that a select
number of them should wait upon the man to whom the eyes of all were
turned as their chosen leader--not only to testify their deep respect
for his character and principles, but respectfully to ask advice as
to the course which they ought in future to pursue. The universal
feeling of the delegates--their confidence in Lord Stanley--their
prospects, and the spirit which animated them, were admirably
expressed by Mr Layton, who was intrusted with the duty of presenting
the address; and the speech of Lord Stanley, which that address
elicited, can never pass from the memory of those who were privileged
to hear it.
Clearly, rapidly, and with a master hand, Lord Stanley described
the position of parties in both Houses of Parliament, not
vindicating--for vindication was unnecessary--but guarding himself
and those who acted with him against any charge of apathy or
indifference in the cause that lay most warmly at their hearts. He
explained for the satisfaction of those who, in their impatience,
would have precipitated measures, why it was that the leaders of
the Protection party had abstained from originating that direct
discussion which their opponents, confident in the possession of
a majority, were so palpably eager to provoke. Admitting to the
full, and deploring the magnitude and prevalence of the suffering
which Free Trade has brought upon the country, he did not disguise
his belief that a yet further period of probation must be endured,
ere the full conviction of the fallacy of those schemes which have
passed into law came home to the understanding of the nation. The
advice, so cordially asked, was frankly and freely given. "You ask
me for advice," said the noble lord--and we cannot forbear again
quoting his memorable words, "I say, go on, and God prosper you. Do
not tire, do not hesitate, do not falter in your course. Maintain
the language of strict loyalty to the crown; and, with a spirit of
unswerving obedience to the laws, combine in a determined resolution
by all constitutional means to obtain your rights, and to enforce
upon those who now misrepresent you the duty of really representing
your sentiments, and supporting you in Parliament.... If you ask my
advice, I say persevere in the course you have adopted. Agitate the
country from one end to the other. Continue to call meetings in every
direction. Do not fear, do not flinch from discussion. By all means
accept the offer of holding a meeting in that magnificent building at
Liverpool; and in our greatest commercial towns show that there is a
feeling in regard to the result of our so-called Free Trade widely
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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