Page:Radicalism, what is it?.djvu/7

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unfortunately teaches us that men sometimes adopt their political creed from questionable motives. Influences of various kinds contribute to fix their allegiance to a party symbol or a party cry, and prejudice, false shame, or moral cowardice in presence of loud opinion restrain many, who, if they but heeded the voice of their convictions and steadily reflected upon the principles and practices of their political associates, would find their true position to be rather with those, whose aim is to unite rational progress and well ordered liberty, with the preservation of all that is dear to the memory and love of an Englishman.

Some of us have a reason for the political faith that is in us; nor will it be a profitless task at the present time to exhibit it, by giving you a brief and simple review of the principles of Radicalism. What claims it has to its spurious watchwords—what temptations it offers to our sympathies will then be evident.

The impending election divides us unto but two parties. Radical and Conservative. The former seems now to embrace all shades of Liberal opinion whatever.