Influential British statesman (1804-1865) associated with John Bright in the formation of the Anti-Corn Law League; an immensely important figure in classical-liberal thought in economics and international affairs. ALS signed “R. Cobden,” six pages two sets of adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 7.25, May 4, 1860. Handwritten letter to a gentleman, with excellent content. In part: "At the Council of the [Anti-Corn] League…it was decided to apply to Mr. Fox as the only man capable of doing justice to such an address…We don’t want the question to be argued, but to be taken up on the primitive ground of right & justice…that robs all the community for the clumsy expedient of putting a mere fraction of the booty into the pockets of the robbers. The object of the address should be, to stir up the community to active resistance against a law that degrades us as worse than slaves in the eyes of the world. Then the religious & moral feelings…of the Christians worth much to be drawn forth by the remembrance of the anti-slavery, & other struggles…the cause of truth & justice must proper in the end. The people must be told that there is no hope from the present House of Commons, which refused to allow corn to be grown…& refused to allow the Irish to import foreign flour at a time when their own flour was breeding typhus fever!…the country’s salvation must be worked out at the…polling booth. We may also glower at the despair which is seizing the minds of many…The increase of the armed military & civil forces to restrain the people might be referred to…as an argument with the middle & wealthy classes for giving content to the people by allowing them to be fed…[The address] must be blister to the aristocracy & the House of Commons." In fine condition.
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