Bygones Worth Remembering, Vol. 1 (of 2)Holyoake, George Jacob
Philosophy
Bygones Worth Remembering, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Holyoake, George Jacob
Holyoake, George Jacob, 1817-1906; Social reformers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Working class -- Great Britain -- Biography
Mr. John Morley uses the term "Manchester School," as embodying the
personal convictions of the great Free Trade leaders. Manchester did
a great thing in adopting, adhering to, and enforcing Free Trade. That
itself is a noble distinction.
The advocacy of Thomasson, Cobden, and Bright included principles
loftier and wider than Manchester. The "Manchester School" is but a term
of courtesy used for convenience of reference, far less definite than
the "School of Bentham." The "School of Cobden" is intelligible, as
covering a larger area of thought than Manchester. As to Cobden, no
one can presume to give any new estimate of him, after John Morley has
written his Life. Therefore I confine myself to such personal incidents
as came under my own observation.
Once, when I had the pleasure to be a guest of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain
at Highbury, Mr. John Morley was present Conversation in the library
turning upon Cobden, I remarked that he had introduced more immorality
into politics than any other public man in my time. "How?" asked
Mr. Morley, with a quick, questioning look. I answered, "By advising
electors to vote for any candidate, irrespective of his politics, who
would vote for the repeal of the Corn Laws." This was in effect saying,
"Vote for the devil, provided the devil will vote for you," who, even
if he keeps faith with you, is a dangerous ally to put in power. In
a speech to the council of the Anti-Corn Law League in Manchester in
September, 1842, Mr. Cobden said: "We are no political body. We have
refused to be bought by the Tories;* we have kept aloof from the Whigs,
and we will not join partnership with either Radicals or Chartists;**
but we hold out our hand, ready to give it to all who are ready to
advocate the total repeal of the Corn and Provision Laws."
* Would the Tories have bought them? What could they have
done with them?
* Neither Radicals nor Chartists asked them. Both parties
conditionally opposed the Corn Law Repealers. Thomasson held
that the repeal of the Corn Laws could precede the Charter.
The Chartists contended that the Corn Laws could not be
repealed until the people had universal suffrage. Thomasson
was right.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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