Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/455

1865.] Palmer stones Last Administration, 441 of Hartington, and led to an animated discussion. On a division, the amendment was carried by 223 to 210, giving a majority of thirteen only against the Government. The unanimity of the Liberal party had not been quite complete, two votes especially having been given against them. Mr. Roebuck on this occasion took the final step which severed him from his old connections the Chartist Radical giving his help to the Tories, and Mr. Gladstone giving the last vote which Conservatism was destined to receive from him. The majority, if not large, was sufficient for the purpose, and on the i /th of June it was announced that ministers had resigned, and that Lord Palmerston had succeeded in forming an Administration. The new Cabinet contained nine old Whigs, four Peelites, and two Radicals, and its formation marked the definite completion of another stage in the progress of the Radical party. They were now admitted to a position not of equality, but of independence, in the Government, "and if they could not originate, could at least try to affect its policy. It was not possible, however, for them, in the existing state of the constituencies to exercise an immediate influence on affairs. It required another Reform Act to enable them to secure an equality of position ; we have now to see if the result of another advance will not be to give them the actual predomi- nance which their support in the country, the success of their policy, and their ability alike indicate as inevitable. One great advantage was derived from this preliminary stage. The people had learned that the policy of the Radicals was wise and far-seeing, and they were accustomed to find it piece by piece adopted after long agitation first by the Whigs, and afterwards by all parties in Parliament. But the men who originated the policy had no opportunities of directing its administration. The country had to be convinced by experi- ence that there was good practical political ability, as well as sound theory, to be found in the party of progress, and that there was no reason why Liberal measures should be entrusted to any one but their authors for realization.