I Remember The Kindness Which Has Placed
Me In This Honourable Position, And Therefore I Shall Venture To
Express To You The Two Reasons To Which I Think The Dangerous State Of
Our Position Must Fairly Be Ascribed.
I would say, in the first place,
without imputing the slightest fault to the originators of this
institution, wishing
To be most distinctly understood as not only not
imputing any fault to them, but most decidedly being of opinion that
the fault does not lie at their door; still I cannot shut my eyes to
the fact that, in the origin of this institution, by circumstances not
foreseen, and which, certainly, were not intended, a party, a limited,
and a sectarian feeling, in some degree pervaded its management. I
confess, myself, that it appears to me that it would have been a marvel
had it been otherwise. When we remember the great changes that had then
but very recently occurred in this country - when we recall to our mind
not only the great changes that had occurred, but the still greater
that were menaced and discussed - when we remember what an influence is
created when local jealousy blends with political passion - it is not
difficult to imagine, because there are none of us present but in their
sphere must have felt its influence - it is not wonderful that men of
different political opinions should look with extreme jealousy upon
each other. A combination of peculiar circumstances that created a
balanced state of parties in those places where the struggle for
dominion and power takes place, very much assisted this feeling; and
that such a feeling existed throughout all England in a degree more
intense and more virulent than has ever been equalled in the history of
this country, I think no man will deny, and all must deplore.
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