Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/274

 260 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1834- the Parliament which had been created by so remarkable an exercise of public enthusiasm. It was a bold action, and, though not absolutely unconstitutional, decidedly irregular, for the Sovereign to dismiss a cabinet which had the confidence of a large majority of the House of Commons, and appoint a new one which was as certainly in a minority; and that not in conse- quence of any vote even in the Lords, but merely on the occasion of a personal change which did not affect either the policy or the stability of the Ministry. The Whigs hoped that this pro- ceeding, followed by a dissolution of the reformed Parliament, would lead to such a demonstration of public feeling as would send them back to office with an undiminished, if not with an increased, majority. In this they were deceived ; either the people had to a great extent withdrawn their confidence, or the electorate as reorganized still failed to fairly represent the people. Both these causes were in operation. The gains that were made on the Liberal side were chiefly those of the Radicals, whilst the counties and many of the smaller boroughs, answering to the territorial pressure which had been made possible by the Act, returned a large Tory con- tingent from what had been thought Whig strongholds. Whilst, then, an increase took place in the Radical numbers, there was a decrease in the general Liberal ranks. The " Annual Register " calculated that the election " brought an addition of more than a hundred members to the Conserva- tives, exclusive of those Whig reformers, such as the party of Lord Stanley, who refused to identify themselves with the Whig opposition in its present condition and conduct." * The Whig loss in the elections did but represent their loss of character and regard in the mind of the nation. It has been said, that it was only enthusiasm and earnestness about some great cause which could break down the force which political and social influences kept constantly arrayed against the extension of popular privileges. The late ministers had done nothing and offered nothing to arouse that enthusiasm. The people had hoped to have their food untaxed, ministers
 * "Annual Register," 1835, p. 13.