Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/120

 106 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1807- of the proceedings which had been taken thereupon. There were thirty-six votes, exclusive of tellers, for this motion, of whom ten had been in the minority who had voted for Burdett's scheme of reform in 1809. They were on this occasion supported by some of the Whigs, amongst others by Whitbread, Romilly, Cavendish, and Brand. At this time Whitbread's vote was generally given for the most thorough- going proposals that were brought forward. The Ministry kept steadily on with their policy of repres- sion, their only idea of an instrument of government ; and they were, as we see, backed up by the great majority in Parliament, who were able to understand that the full expres- sion of popular opinion, or, at all events, any practical conces- sions to it would be inconsistent with the basis of their own political power. To disagree with the views of the governing classes was wicked this made Burdett and his friends dis- liked ; to express that disagreement through the press was criminal this sent Cobbett and the Hunts to prison ; to try by popular action to give effect to the disagreement was treason and this afterwards made the Peterloo massacre at Manchester possible. The maintenance of the personal rights, dignity, and liberties of the humbler classes of the community was as much a matter of difficulty as the defence of intellectual freedom. On this matter, too, the Radicals, led by Burdett, registered protests when they could do nothing more. The cause of Cobbett's imprisonment was the publication of articles on the subject of discipline, and especially of flogging in the army, which it was said would lead to insubordination in the ranks. This question of flogging Burdett brought before the House of Commons on the i8th of June, when he moved for an address to the Prince Regent, asking him to take into con- sideration the flogging of soldiers, and praying him to issue such orders as would be calculated " to restrain, and finally to abolish, that cruel, unnecessary, and ignominious punishment." Brougham was teller with Burdett in the division on this motion, but they only took ten members with' them. Such