148 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1820- of the community." On the 3rd of May Hume moved for statements showing the expenditure on civil list account, but was defeated by 113 votes to 60. This may be regarded rather as an independent Liberal than as a Radical vote. On the 8th of May, on a motion for further considering a report of the committee on the civil list, Lord John Russell moved an adjournment of its consideration in order that it might be submitted to a select committee. The full Whig strength was brought up on this occasion, with the result that the Government had a majority of ninety-nine votes, the num- bers being 256 to 157 ; the old ministerial strength was thus manifested. Any attempt at serious political movement might have well seemed hopeless under such conditions ; yet it was in this Parliament, where the Tory preponderance was so great, that the final struggle which ended in the passing of the first Reform Act was practically commenced. It was interrupted by the battle over Catholic emancipation, by striking minis- terial changes, and by the interest attaching to the adminis- tration of foreign affairs by Canning, but it was never absolutely relinquished. This very time, indeed, was chosen for actively resuming the agitation outside Parliament, by which alone any effective debate inside could be induced. During the remainder of the year 1820, the debates on the treatment of the Queen caused the postponement of nearly all other business. In the following year, however, the reform agitation was resumed, and from that time it was systemati- cally maintained. It is important, therefore, to examine into the constitution of the Liberal party, to ascertain what were the elements to which the popular appeal could be success- fully directed. It has been seen that the distinction between Whigs and Radicals was recognized by the leaders of the party in the House of Commons, both Tierney and Russell on the one side, and Burdett on the other, acting upon the supposition that it existed. It was not, however, as an organized party that the Radicals were generally regarded. The name itself
