Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/377

 1850.] Resignation of Sir Robert Peel to his Death. 363 discontent with the existing state of things discontent that the most numerous class of society should suffer distress, and have no constitutional method of expressing an opinion as to the making of the laws by which they might be helped. The outbreak in the spring of 1 848 opened the eyes of thoughtful people to the fact not only of discontent, but of its justifica- tion, and the Radical party in the House took up the question of reform in a fresh and more practical manner, connecting themselves in a definite way with external organizations established for the purpose. It was some time before a triumph was effected, for the process had to be gone through of educating the Whigs, without whose co-operation no actual result could be obtained. Even that process was now com- menced, and Lord John Russell took many opportunities of declaring that he had been misunderstood when it was thought that he had pronounced the Reform Act of 1832 to be final, or that he was absolutely opposed to any further advance. The new movement found its first expression in Parlia- ment on the 2Oth of June, when Hume moved "That this House, as at present constituted, does not fairly represent the population, the property, or the industry of the country, whence has arisen great and increasing discontent in the minds of a large portion of the people : and it is therefore expedient, with a view to amend the national representation, that the elective franchise shall be so extended as to include all householders ; that votes shall be taken by ballot ; that the duration of Parliaments shall not exceed three years ; and that the apportionment of members to population shall be made more equal." The debate which followed, and which lasted over two nights, showed that the question was now put upon a new footing, and demanded the attention of the governing class on both sides the House. Russell, as was said above, protested against being pledged to oppose all reform, and he even pointed out directions in which he would be prepared to suggest alterations. Disraeli opposed the motion, but he did so on peculiar grounds, and his speech might be regarded as the first lesson in that course of education to