Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/80

66 increasing weight, and early in 1797 cash payments were suspended, first by the Government, and afterwards by a bill which remained in operation until 1819. The year was in every way disastrous and gloomy. The expenditure on the war and the consequent burden of debt increased with terrible rapidity, and two mutinies broke out in the fleet. It was in the midst of these misfortunes—the second mutiny broke out on the 20th of May—that Mr. Grey, on the 26th of May, moved for a sweeping reform in Parliament. The time was not wisely chosen, the long existing fear of change was increased and rendered more acute by the mutiny, and yet he obtained ninety-three votes for his resolution, which was more than double the number he could rally six years before in the last Parliament. Yet in spite of this increase the outlook seemed so dark, the battle so hopeless, that Fox and many of his followers resolved to give up the struggle, and to cease to attend in the House. This secession lasted with more or less consistency until the end of 1800, and even then Fox himself did not return to regular attendance. The whole of the party did not join in this movement. Sheridan remained at his post, and even supported ministers in their action with regard to the mutineers—a course of conduct for which he was never entirely forgiven by his old friends. Tierney, too, continued his attendance, and, in the absence of Fox, soon came to take the lead of what Liberal forces were left. But the party was shattered and rendered useless by the secession, and ministers, no longer opposed even by the eloquence of their old enemies, were entirely unrestrained in their policy.

Secession such as this is a course which admits of no justification, more especially from a Liberal to whom the principles of representative government ought to be dear. It is conceivable that a man who obtains a seat, either by purchase or the exercise of hereditary or social influence, may come to look upon his office as a piece of property to be used or enjoyed for his personal ends only. Such a one might either attend or absent himself from the House, as suited his convenience, his interests, or his caprice. But a Radical must