They have destroyed agriculture. Mr. Cobden said— and again I am
sure he spoke the truth as it appeared to him— that he was convinced
that if his views were carried, not an acre of ground would go out of
cultivation in this country, no tenant farmer would be worse off. I am
not here to speak to an agricultural audience; but if I were, what a
difference there would be between that expectation and hope of
Mr. Cobden and the actual circumstances of the case. Agriculture, as
the greatest of all the trades and industries of this country, has been
practically destroyed. Sugar is gone. Silk is gone. Iron is threatened.
Cotton will go.
How long are you going to stand it ? At the present
warnLlby ™0"is"': these industries, and the working-men who

the past. depend upon them, are like sheep in a field. One by
orie they allow themselves to be led to slaughter, and
there is no combination, no apparent prevision of what is in store for
ttie rest of them. Do you think, if you belong at the present time tOa
prosperous industry, that your prosperity will be allowed tb continue,
tliat the same causes which, as I have said, have destroyed some of our
principal industries, which are in the course of destroying others, that
they won't be equally applicable when your turn comes ? This is not
a case in which selfishness will pay. This is a case in which you
should take warning by the past, which you should show some foresight
as to the future.
