Daily Republican

The London Cobden Club.
There is an idea somewhat prevalent that to be a member of the London Cobden Club, you must be in favor of free trade. This is a great mistake. To be elected to this body it is simply necessary to be distinguished in art, literature, or science, and mainly the science of politics. Mr. Garfield was elected a member on account of the ability displayed in his writings and speeches, and as they were mainly the exponents of the principles of the Republican party, which advocates a tariff, they were the very opposites of free trade. Our fellow citizen, ex-City Treasurer Francis Vincent, was elected a member, on account of his writing proposing an Anglo-Saxon Confederation, or the union of the United States and the British Empire under one government, and of other subjects which he treated in the foreign press. Bancroft, the historian, was made a member on account of his magnificent history of the United States. And, so on, every member has to be distinguished by some great merit. No amount of wealth will introduce you into this assembly. Nothing but known and acknowledged ability, will admit you to the association of the celebrated Statesmen of which it is composed.