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I e2
METHODS OF SOCIAL REFORM.
concerning them must not be prohibited, yet we need not be
frightened into questioning our own axioms. We may welcomo
bond $da investigation into the state of trade, and the causes
of the present depression, but wo can no more expect to have
our opinions on free trade altered by such an investigation
than the Mathematical Society would expect to have the
awiome of Euclid disproved during the investigation of u
oomplex problem. It would not bo the principles of freo
trade that would bo in question, but the political events, the
great fluctuations in the supply of cotton or corn, and especially
the reckless or even criminal proceedings of certain
portions of the trading-clnsses which have disturbed the course
of unrestricted industry.
There is something ludicrously illogical in the may in which
u a Manchester Afauufacturer ” fixes upon a temporary depression
of trade, easily accounted for by the most obvious ca,uses,
iu order to discredit the great and permanent policy of the
country. Such 8 writer trusts much to obli~iousne~s. One
would supposo, from the way he writes, that depression of
trade and want of employment were wholly new experiences
pin this country, never heard of before the days of Peel. But
a very slight reference to the records of past years would
convince us that we should be grateful for tho may in which
tho beneficent principles of free industry have mitigated the
intensity of distress which has recurred at intervals of years
under every financial rtrghe. It mould be tedious to remind you
in any detail of tho severe destitution and trouble of the years
1817-10, which occurred after the restrictive system had long
been in operation, and before tho idea of free trade mas hardly
broached. If it be objected that long wars had then enfeebled
the industry of the GOUntry, I will mention instead the distress
of the year 1826, which occurred at a time when the speculative
energies of the kingdom had certainly not been dormant,
and while hardly any important steps had yet been taken
towards free trade. But I prefer to direct pur attention to
the y-r~ 1841-48, which bring US nearer to the present order
of things, and show how wholly unconnected with the tar3 is
a certain bmporsry depression of industry. Let anyone take