Richard Cobden
# Richard Cobden

Richard Cobden (3 de junho de 1804 - 2 de abril de 1865) foi um fabricante britânico e estadista radical e liberal, associado a John Bright na formação da Liga Anti-Lei do Milho.
       - Free Trade! What is it? Why, breaking down the barriers that separate nations; those barriers, behind which nestle the feelings of pride, revenge, hatred, and jealousy, which every now and then burst their bounds, and deluge whole countries with blood; those feelings which nourish the poison of war and conquest, which assert that without conquest we can have no trade, which foster that lust for conquest and dominion which sends forth your warrior chiefs to scatter devastation through other lands, and then calls them back that they may be enthroned securely in your passions, but only to harass and oppress you at home.
          - Discurso em Covent Garden (28 de setembro de 1843), citado em John Bright e J. E. Thorold Rogers (eds.), Discursos sobre questões de política pública por Richard Cobden, M.P. Volume I (1908), p. 40
       - How can protection, think you, add to the wealth of a country? Can you by legislation add one farthing to the wealth of the country? You may, by legislation, in one evening, destroy the fruits and accumulation of a century of labour; but I defy you to show me how, by the legislation of this House, you can add one farthing to the wealth of the country. That springs from the industry and intelligence; you cannot do better than leave it to its own instincts. If you attempt by legislation to give any direction to trade or industry, it is a thousand to one that you are doing wrong.
          - Discurso na Câmara dos Comuns (27 de fevereiro de 1846), citado em John Bright e J. E. Thorold Rogers (eds.), Discursos sobre questões de política pública por Richard Cobden, M.P. Volume I (1908), p. 197
       - My estimate of American character has improved, contrary to my expectations, by this visit...I find myself in love with their intelligence, their sincerity, and the decorous self-respect that actuates all classes. The very genius of activity seems to have found its fit abode in the souls of this restless and energetic race.
          - Carta a F. Cobden (5 de julho de 1835) durante sua visita aos Estados Unidos, citada em John Morley, The Life of Richard Cobden [1879] (1905), pp. 39-40
       - Do not let your zeal for the cause of democracy deceive you as to the fact of the opaque ignorance in which the great bulk of the people of England are wrapt. If you write for the masses politically, and write soundly and honestly, they will not be able at present to appreciate you, and consequently will not support you...There is no remedy for all this but improved education.
          - Carta a W. Tait (17 de agosto de 1838), citada em John Morley, The Life of Richard Cobden [1879] (1905), p. 127