ABSTRACT
Having briefly sketched the proceedings of the League after the announcement of the fixed duty scheme proposed by the whig ministers, we now revert to their position in Parliament. Their defeat on the sugar duties had made it obvious that they must either resign, or appeal to the constituencies; and much discussion arose as to which course they would pursue. Their strong inclination to hold office, doubtless because they had a strong conviction that the government of the country would be better in their hands than in the hands of the tories, made men believe that they would not hastily relinquish their opportunities to effect public good. On the other hand it was much doubted whether they would gain anything by a general election, for their announced approach to a free-trade policy had roused all the energy of that class which, according to Lord John Russell’s own declaration, ought to be predominant in Parliament; while that proposed approximation fell too far short of the free-trade requirement to gain friends amongst those who agitated for the total and immediate repeal of the Corn Laws. From this dilemma they were delivered by Sir Robert Peel, whose political sagacity taught him to strike, before, in their progress towards liberal commercial policy, they acquired new and zealous supporters.
