Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/233

1832.] Canning's Premiership to Passing of Reform Act 219 purpose only of those who had objects in view with regard to Irish politics, which could be served by keeping alive animosity to England and to the English Government. It became evident that when Irish members were elected, their sympathies would be in favour of that party which was opposed to the governing classes, alike amongst the Tories and the Whigs. In the mean time, only a very faint sign of the coming reform struggle was given this session, when the Marquis of Blandford moved a resolution against the maintenance of close, decayed, and corrupt boroughs, and was defeated by 1 14 votes to 40. Hume once more contended against the use of corporal punishment in the army, but did not go to a division. The fact was, that all parties were exhausted by the excitement attending the great battle for religious liberty, and were glad when, as early as the 24th of June, Parliament was prorogued. When, on the 4th of February, 1830, Parliament met for what was to be its last session, it met with its temper soured and its organization unsettled. The bulk of the Tory party had been shocked and irritated by what they considered the political treason of the ministers in accepting and forcing on the Emancipation Act. The recess had served only to deepen this feeling, and they had no desire to retain in power the men who had betrayed them. The Whigs, on the other hand, were not disposed to preserve a Government in which they had no share. On their part, ministers could make no ap- proaches toward either a reconciliation with their old friends or a coalition with their old foes. There was, in the great question which everybody felt was coming up next for settlement, another case of the weakness and isolation of the Government. What was supposed to be the feeling of the offended Tories on this point may be gathered from the language of the compiler of the " Annual Register " for the year, a writer vehemently Conservative in opinion and outspoken in expression. Speaking of " the Tories, who had been disgusted by the conduct of ministers regarding the