Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/394

 380 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1846-1850. 169 to 139. Ministers took no action in consequence of this vote, and when questioned about it by Roebuck on the 2Oth of June, Russell laid down a principle which is fatal to the claim of the equality of the power of the Peers with that of the Com- mons. He said that while a change of government in conse- quence of a resolution of the House of Lords would be unconstitutional, it might produce great confusion in the State, and be to none so dangerous as to the House of Lords itself. So ministers intended to continue in that course which they had hitherto followed, and which had been condemned by the Peers. Roebuck, however, thought that the censure of one House ought to be met by a vote of confidence in the other, and he gave notice of his intention to propose such a resolution. This he did on the 24th of June, and a long and spirited debate followed, which was adjourned over four nights, the division being taken on the 28th of June, when the Government obtained a majority of forty-six, the numbers being 310 to 264. The debate was rendered memorable by its being the occasion of the delivery of the last speech which Sir Robert Peel made in Parliament. He spoke against ministers, and after alluding to the merits of the Greek dispute, addressed a long and careful argument in favour of a policy of non-inter- vention. He believed that the cause of constitutional liberty would only be encumbered by our help, while, by obtruding that help, we should involve this country in incalculable difficulties. This speech was delivered on the 28th of June ; on the follow- ing day he met with the accident which led to his death, and he died on the 2nd of July. The sad event was felt by all classes as a national calamity. There were differences of opinion amongst politicians as to the effect upon public morality of having measures carried by men who had long and consistently opposed them : there was no difference on the subject of the thorough conscientiousness of Peel on the two great occasions when he had shattered his party by reversing its policy, and there was a universal recognition of his ability. The belief in his honesty, and the gratitude for his services, were as universal as was the sorrow for his loss.