STATE OF PARTIES. 9 



tinually addressing those who are inimical to his general principles, 

 he naturally throws these principles somewhat out of view, and selects 

 topics which he can discuss in a popular manner, and without exciting 

 prejudices. The consequence is that, in proportion as he obtains 

 influence in the House, he loses ground with his own party, who 

 either cannot understand the peculiar position in which he is placed, 

 or are too zealous to make allowance for the feelings of one whose 

 political prospects have been so signally blasted. A man of greater 

 firmness and energy would not perhaps have acted as Sir Robert 

 Peel is now doing. To a practised statesman, however, of ordinary 

 abilities and ordinary resolution, he will probably appear to have pur- 

 sued a prudent, if not a noble line of conduct. But if the Tories as 

 a party, have no existence in the Commons, in the Lords they muster 

 an overwhelming majority. Andthis majority is not likely to be dimi- 

 nished, inasmuch as the people have no such facilities for infusing the 

 influence of new opinions into the upper branch of the legislature, as 

 frequent elections enable them to send into the Commons. Still it 

 may be questioned whether the great strength of the Tories in the 

 Lords is an advantage or a misfortune. Were they less numerous 

 in that House, they could act certainly with more independence, and 

 probably with greater effect. They have power ; but when the exer- 

 cise of it might have preserved their party in the State, they dared 

 not to use it ; and when, as in the Portuguese question and Lord 

 Brougham's Local Courts Bill, it pleased them to give the country 

 a proof what they could do, it must be admitted that they made a 

 most injudicious choice of occasions on which to exhibit their strength. 

 At present, every Bill rejected in the Lords is sure to be charged as 

 an additional sin to the Tory party by those who may happen to be 

 interested in the success of the particular measure. The dilemma to 

 which the peers are reduced is ludicrously painful : if they do not 

 act, they compromise their principles and degrade their character ; 

 while , if they do act, they exasperate the people, and add new zeal to 

 the vivid spirit continually in action against them. 



Of the Radicals as a party, it is hardly necessary to observe, that they 

 do not as yet possess that weight which numbers and popular 

 principles usually command. Were a census taken of the politics 

 of the community, there can be no doubt but that a decided 

 majority would be found to entertain Radical opinions ; at the same 

 time this majority would be found greatly divided in itself as to the 

 extent to which Reform should be carried in Church and State. Were 

 the aim of this party clearly denned, and its means well organized, 

 were it led by a statesman capable of directing the energies of a 

 great people, it would be irresistible. The rapid progress and com- 

 manding influence of public opinion, the financial embarrassments 

 of the country, the dissatisfaction of all classes with their existing 

 situation, the bigotry and obstinacy of the Tories, and the weakness 

 and indecision of the Whigs all seem to conspire to prepare the way 

 for the final triumph of Radicalism. Unquestionably, many of those 

 who now lean to democratic opinions would stoutly deny the imputation 

 of Radicalism. Old prejudices attach to the name, which are offensive 

 to delicate ears ; but this is of little moment, for the individuals here 

 M. M. No. 97. C 



