Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/354

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

340 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1841- testantism was in 1828. The country will draw its moral. For my part, if we are to have free trade, I, who honour genius, prefer that such measures should be proposed by the honourable member for Stockport, than by one who, through skilful Parliamentary manoeuvres, has tampered with the generous confidence of a great people and of a great party. Dissolve, if you please, the Parliament you have betrayed, and appeal to the people who, I believe, mistrust you. For me there remains this, at least the opportunity of expressing thus publicly my belief that a Conservative Government is an organ- ized hypocrisy." The defection, as shown by the vote, was serious, there being for the resolution, 78, all protectionists ; and against it, 213. The agriculturists were again challenged by Ward to explain the peculiar burdens to which Miles had referred. On the 3rd of June he moved for a select committee to inquire into the subject, but was defeated by 182 to 109. Before this Russell had led what he hoped would prove a combined Liberal attack on the whole political position. On the 26th of May he moved a string of nine resolutions to the following effect : 1. Declared the present state of political tranquility to be favourable to the consideration of measures for improving the condition of the labouring classes. 2. Pronounced against protective duties. 3. Was against the corn laws especially. 4. Pledged the House to an alteration of those laws. 5. Referred to an alteration of the law of parochial settle- ment. 6. Advocated a systematic plan of colonization. 7. Declared that the advance made in the education of the people had been satisfactory. 8. Recommended increased means of extending religious and moral instruction. 9. Was for an address to her Majesty on these resolutions. These resolutions covered a wide area, but in no case were they founded on a really broad principle, as explained in the speech by which they were introduced. The general