ERSENTMENT OF U4E RBEPFALERS. 151]

the taste of most of thom, when it cried out that all political __1889.
factions were equally dishonest and profligate ; that the Zr. 36.
*epealers ab any rate would not suffer their great question
f bo made a mere official hobby-horse ; that they would
Pursue an undeviating course of strenuous protest to the
Ration at large, knowing well that repeal would never be
granted by either the one or the other faction of political
Pettifoggers by which the kingdom was alternately cursed.
It they could only get the honest, simple-hearted, and
intelligent portion of the people to see the justice and the
Decessity of their canse, then they would not be long before
they dragged both sections of the state quacks at their
chariot wheels, each striving to outbid the other in tenders
of service and offers of concession.®
In less violent tones, Cobden kept insisting on the same
Point, after the rebuffs of the year had shown them that the
battle would be long, and that its issues went too deep into
the social system to suit the aims of traditional parties,
for the traditional parties in England were of their very
essence superficial and personal. Towards the end of 1839,
Dr. Bowring came to Manchester to report on what he had
found on the subject of trade with England during a recent
official visit to the countries of the German Customs Union.
His points were that in consequence of the English obstruction
 to the import of grain and timber, capital in
Germany was being diverted to manufactures ; that the
German agriculturists were naturally eager for the removal
of the protective duties on manufactures, which they could
purchase more cheaply from England; but that they were
met by the argument that England would never reciprocate
by Opening a free market, for return purchases of grain, as
ber landlords and agriculturists were far too mighty to be
overthrown or even shaken, Cobden, with his usual high
8 Docomber 10. 1830.