series of ideas, tending to the increase of the popular power, around which were concentrated at different times groups of politicians in and out of Parliament, not always composed of the same persons—various objects attracting individuals with varying force. There was, however, a tendency to unite amongst those who were most frequently and most generally agreed; and by such union again there was more clearly defined a common programme, and the way was opened to the existence of a new party. This movement, like every other manifestation of active political life in England, was arrested by the events which followed the French Revolution. It resumed its progress after the peace so definitely that a distinctive name had to be found, and in a few years after, historians recognized the fact that the new party, under the new name, was exercising an important influence on the national policy.
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Introduction—Origin of the Party.
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