AGRICULTURE UNDER FREE TRADE, 1846-96. 41 



insisted on. The Repeal of the Corn Laws took away an 

 advantage which farmers had long possessed. They were 

 an hereditary benefit. The nation incurred a debt to 

 agriculture, which has not yet been paid. It seems to 

 me that on this ground Protectionists and Free Traders 

 may harmoniously meet. If the nation demands cheap 

 food let it compensate in some measure those at whose 

 expense it obtains it. Let it at least give fair play, if not 

 favour, to what is after all its oldest and its greatest 

 industry. 



