Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/374

 360 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1846- an alliance with those Radicals in Parliament who, whilst sincere in their desire for reform, were prudent in their counsels, and were possessed of the confidences of the middle classes. Accordingly William Lovett was deputed, on behalf of an association called the People's League, to see " some of the leading reformers among the middle classes, such as Hume, Cobden, Miall, and others," and to confer with them as to the issue of an address in favour of the following objects: i. The adoption of the tharter. 2. The reduction of national expenditure. 3. The repeal of customs excise, and all indirect taxes. 4. A direct tax on property in an increasing ratio upwards according to its amount. When Lovett saw them with this scheme, " Hume and Cobden, while they expressed themselves favourable to our views of reform, were fearful that the middle classes could not be got to unite in any plan for its attainment. The chief point dwelt upon by both of them was, that O'Connor and his disciples had, by their folly and violence, made the name of Chartist distasteful to that class." Hume, however, anxious that something should be done, obtained the signature of about fifty of his friends to resolutions in favour of municipal reform and household suffrage.* This decision prevented the union of the orderly Chartists with Hume and his friends, and led to open divisions in the country when the agitation for household suffrage was commenced in a systematic manner. A temporary advantage was thus gained by O'Connor, who obtained the enthusiastic support of numbers which contrasted with the more moderate demonstrations which the household suffrage party were able, or even wished, to elicit. The Chartist used his power in the wildest and most reckless way, encouraging appeals to force, and alarming those who were most disposed to assist him. The great petition, which was being signed under his directions, was in itself to be made not the means of laying before Parliament the wishes of the people, but the occasion
 * " Life and Struggles of William Lovett," pp. 335, 336.