Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/158

 144 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1820- ment of the King from any actual share in the government of the country, or in the interests, duties, and affections of ordinary human life ; but it remained a power impressed both on the traditions and modes of thought of the governing classes, and on the feelings and sympathies of the people generally. The habit of reckoning the opinion of the King as the first element in the constitution of a policy, or in the decision of any great question, had grown with the growth of the existing generation of politicians and statesmen. The unbending determination call it obstinacy or firmness as we may which had broken up the old Whig domination, had bent the power and genius of both the Pitts to its purpose, and had even in its decline conquered the pride of Grenville, had become recognized by all possible ministers as a natural power in the State. The personal affection which his undoubted singleness of purpose and simplicity of life had won from the people would have revolted from any sudden change of policy which it was known would shock and pain the old sovereign if he had retained, or would distress him if he should recover, his mental powers. The most striking instance of the repression which this feeling produced upon the minds and the actions of politicians was the course taken with regard to the Catholic question. There were men in the Tory party itself who, like Canning, shared the opinion of their old leader Pitt, that some concession should be made to the claims which had been recognized in the negotiations which preceded the passing of the Act of Union ; yet every one knew that so long as the old King lived no progress would be made or even seriously attempted. Towards the new King there were no such feelings of con- sideration and affection. The sentiment of personal loyalty, always an important element in English politics, remained, and had been increased by the events of a reign extending over more than fifty years, during which the monarch had constantly asserted and maintained an actively para- mount influence in the State. In the course of that reign an entire generation had grown up, had formed its opinions,