§ Mr. Huntpresented a Petition from the Working Classes of Manchester, praying in very earnest terms for the entire repeal of the Corn-laws. The petition contained nothing disrespectful, although the petitioners spoke in their own plain language. It complained of the high price of corn, and said, the peti- 1034 tioners were, in consequence, suffering great privations. It was signed by 25,000 or 30,000 persons. It had been stated, that petitions should not be printed, unless they conveyed some information to the House, and many Members were extremely fastidious as to the language in which they were couched, requiring them to be drawn up in a particular manner; but he considered these were minor considerations, for the real use of petitions was, to make known the feelings and opinions of the people.
Petition to lie on the Table. On the question that it be printed,
Mr. C. W. Wynnsaw no reason why the present petition should not be printed, nor was he aware that any objection had been expressed.
§ Mr. Hunthad entertained doubts, because petitions of a similar nature, presented by him, had been considered offensive, and not allowed to be printed on that account.
§ Petition to be printed.
§ Mr. Huntalso presented a Petition from the Working Classes, belonging to the Westminster Political Union, praying for a total repeal of the Corn-laws. The petition was certainly couched in stronger terms than the last; and having characterized the Corn-laws as oppressive and injurious, it concluded with the exclamations of "Bread," "Bread," "Bread!" He hoped the House would not consider it offensive to its dignity to receive it.
§ The petition having been read,
§ Lord Althorpthought the language of the petition rather too strong to be received by the House.
§ Mr. Huntadmitted it was strong language, but it was true; and he must observe, that it was too much to expect from human nature, that men who saw their families and little ones expiring for want of food, should express themselves with cautious propriety of phrase.
Mr. Humesubmitted to the hon. Member, that the language of this petition was too strong. Nothing could be so prejudicial to the right of petitioning, as the presentation of petitions like this, because the violence and absurdity of many of the expressions contained in it, were such as must create, any other feeling but sympathy, for the alleged distresses of the petitioners. He hoped the hon. Member would withdraw the petition.
Mr. O' Connellsaid, though he would 1035 not vote against the reception of the petition, he wished it to be withdrawn. Petitioners were not to be allowed to make an experiment as to how far they might trespass on the dignity or the patience of the House, by the violent and intemperate tone of their petitions, though stating facts which could not be denied.
§ Mr. Huntsaid, he had so often expressed himself out of doors in the same terms as the petitioners, of the iniquities of the Legislature, that he could do no less than be the bearer of a petition of this sort to the House. He should, however, in compliance with the wishes of the House, now withdraw the petition.
§ Petition withdrawn.