Enlightened and Important
Richard Cobden
[Given the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh: 19th
January, 1843. In testimony of his straightforward and independent
advocacy of the principles of free trade generally, and abolition of
the Corn Laws in particular]
I have no pretension to be enrolled among the description of men to
whom the Lord Provost has alluded. I disclaim, personally, all title
to such an honour. I view it, not as a personal compliment, I accept
it not as such, I consider the Council in voting me the freedom of the
city as having merely recorded, by a large majority, I hope, their
opinions in favour of those great principles which I humbly, but
earnestly advocate. You are a body calmly and dispassionately elected
by a large and intelligent community, not actuated by exciting or
party feelings in connection with the question which I have so much at
heart. You are, therefore, a body capable - if any body of men are
capable - of clearly, dispassionately and impartially viewing the
question upon which you have now given an opinion -, and I cannot
doubt but that the present expression of your opinion will have great
weight elsewhere, and that it will be felt both beyond the precincts
of your council chamber and your city.
If anything were wanting to convince me of that of which I need no
further evidence to convince me - I mean the truth and justice of the
principles which I advocate - I should find it in the testimony of
this enlightened and important community. If I wanted any stimulus
beyond what the claims of humanity and justice enforce upon me, for
continuing to advocate the principles of free trade, I should find it
in the honour now conferred upon me. And if at any time I should find
myself flagging or desponding in the task I have undertaken, in aiding
others to combat elsewhere for the achievement of these great
principles, I shall be sustained by the recollection that Edinburgh
has declared herself favourable to them.
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