When we planted the olive tree, we never thought that its fruits would be ripe within a day.

Richard Cobden, translated by Frédéric Bastiat
Complete Works, Volume 3, pages 474 to 485 (in French)
Manchester, January 25th, 1848

In this speech following that of Milner Gibson about the necessary progress that is still necessary further to the liberalisation of the corn trade, Richard Cobden looks at the particular issue of navigation laws and the growth of the army in general. One of the major aspects of commercial freedom is to favour peace. If it is necessary to maintain a defensive army, logic commands that it is less costly than an overstaffed offensive army. However, the budget of the United Kingdom at the time did not take into account this new geopolitical situation and the press played on fears of a possible war against France. This is what Richard Cobden exposes in his speech.

Today’s quote uses the olive tree, a symbol of peace, to represent the repeal of the corn laws, vector of peace. Richard Cobden attempts to build upon this progress and further his fight for peace. The fact that the fruits are not yet visible does not weaken the fact that the country finds itself in a position where peace is less and less precarious and the consequence has to be a reduction in the military capacity of the kingdom. From a more general point of view, the quote reminds us that the world has not been made within seven days and that the progress of liberty may be slow without being negligible nonetheless.

Pages 463 to 474 – Pages 474 to 485 – Pages 486 to 491