Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/442

 428 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1855- leave to bring in a bill to alter the laws relating to conspiracy to murder. Notice of some such bill had been given in the preceding session, but its introduction now had all the appearance of being the consequence of the application of a foreign power, accompanied by threats and menaces officially promulgated. Palmerston, therefore, appeared in a double character, both aspects of which were in direct antagonism to the pretensions which he had always assumed. The indignation caused in the public mind by this conduct soon manifested itself in an irresistible manner. Leave was given to bring in the bill, but when, on the iQth of February, it came up for second reading, the storm broke out. Milner Gibson moved an amendment, which, after stating that the House would at all times be ready to assist in remedying any defects in the criminal law, declared that "This House cannot but regret that her Majesty's Government, previously to inviting the House to amend the law of conspiracy at the present time, have not felt it to be their duty to reply to the important despatch received from the French Govern- ment, dated 'Paris, January 2Oth, 1858,' which has been laid before Parliament" On a division, this amendment was carried by 234 to 215. To make the situation more dramatic, Milner Gibson and Mr. Bright were the tellers who had to convey, through the Speaker, to the Premier this serious condemnation of his conduct. The blow was fatal to the Government, and on the 22nd of February their resignation was announced. The fall of Palmerston's administration was followed by the formation of a Government by the Earl of Derby a glaring anomaly in our constitutional system, being a Ministry in a minority in the House of Commons, and therefore holding office on the condition that they did not attempt to carry into actual legislation the political prin- ciples which they professed. There were two things in this arrangement which must be considered extraordinary that the House should allow such a Government to exist ; and that men should be found ready to take office on such terms.