CHAPTER XX.

1
TCA
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE ON SOCIAL AND POL
MOVEMENTS.

1849,
wr 45.

Brminp the merits of a policy of economy for ita own gak®
there was in the minds both of Cobden and of Mr. Bright ale
others, a general scheme for gathering up the strength of th
Liberal party. The extraordinary state of the old combi?”
tions in the House of Commons was a standing incentive
such efforts as were now made in the north of England. Ther
was to be a popular party, based on real prinoiples and ?
practical programme, as distinguished from factitious cate”
words and insincere cries invented for parliamentary oo”
sions. A great agseciabion might perhaps be forreeds and!
was suggested that it should be called the Commons Leag™
financial Reform and Parliamentary Reform were the 7
planks of the platform. Ab a great meeting in Manchest g
the second week of the new year, Cobden explained his ide?
on the first, and Mr. Bright followed with a demand for 9°
second. Cobden believed that the parts about nancial yefor”
were better received than the parts about parliament
reform, even by the men in fustian jackets.! Meeting® wer?
held in other towns in the north; snd the two champ”
were everywhere received with unbounded cordialitye ¢
pulars were sent out from Manchester for the formatio? of 2°
new association, and between three and four thousend adh?
* Lata to Meg, Unbien, Jan. 10. 1849,