The Times 1811 - 1820 Aug 10 1820 Cumberland Independence #3

Aug 10 1820 Cumberland Independence #3

The Times, Thursday, Aug 10, 1820; pg. 3; Issue 11008; col D                                  CUMBERLAND INDEPENDENCE.                                          -----------------                                  PUBLIC DINNER AT ROSLEY.     [continued] Several toasts were then drank, and the worthy member, after a few prefatory words, gave Mr. GRAHAM (3 times 3). Mr. GRAHAM returned thanks. It was not his wish to provoke or prolong political discussion, but he must take the liberty of making a few observations upon a small part of the hon. gentleman's able speech. He cordially agreed with almost every thing that had fallen from his hon. friend, with the exception of the agricultural question; there were also some shades of difference between them in respect to the averages; but these were of no moment, and he should not mention them. He certainly did give a vote on Mr. SUMNER's motion contrary to that of the hon. member for Cumberland; for he did think, that to pursue any measure which would have the effect of raising the price of corn. (and this was certainly the object of the petitions, under whatever denomination they were brought into the House of Commons), at a moment of general pressure, was the height of impolicy. He did not conceive it would be at all the interest of the agriculturist, properly understood, to enhance the price, when the root of the evil was his customers' want of means to purchase. It was the labourer and the manufacturer, the customers of the farmer, who wanted relief in the first instance; but this certainly could not be given by rendering the necessaries of life more difficult of attainment. Those were his sentiments: he had the misfortune to differ somewhat in these few points from his hon. friend, but that difference, closely examined, was not very material. The reason why he objected to the discussion of the averages was not because he thought the present the best possible system, but because he considered it an indirect road to an increased price of grain. The ancient mode might be imperfect; but to change it just now would lead to the inference that the farmer was anxious only to get rid of his difficulties, careless upon whom they fell, and that, too, when the change, in his estimation, would be of no advantage to him: he fully concurred, however, in all that had been said on the subject of making more careful returns. It had been observed, that hitherto, for want of union, the farmer of Cumberland had been totally ignorant of what his brethren in Cornwall had been doing. How that might be, he, Mr. GRAHAM, knew not; but he had lately been in Cornwall, (though for that he was threatened with Newgate!) (a laugh) and he found the same sentiments pervading that county which prevailed in other parts of the kingdom, namely, that it was not agriculture that suffered, it was not commerce or manufacture that suffered, but the whole country; - it had been brought to the verge of bankruptcy by the prodigal expenditure of the public money, kept up in the time of peace by the unnecessary augmentation of the military force. It was this that led to our ruin.; and it was the Cornish sentiment, the Cumberland sentiment, and, he would add, the general sentiment, that until the necessity of economy was impressed upon Government we should approach it nearer and nearer. A real change of system was wanted. Any thing short of that would be of no avail; and until that took place, the agriculturist would be disappointed, the manufacturer would be disappointed, and the labourer would look for relief in vain. He would not say that it was yet too late to turn about and pursue another and a contrary course; but he would assert that it must be speedily done to be effectual. When the agriculture of the country was brought to the dust, the remainder of the fabric must soon give way; unless a change took place, he could not take upon himself to say that such an event was far distant; but that it might be far distant was the most earnest prayer of his heart. He would give as a sentiment, "The Agricultural Interest of England, and may it ever prosper!"

 

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