Parliamentary reform and Catholic Emancipation

Examples of England's new policy were seen in 1823 when Canning recognised the independence of Spain's revolted colonies in South Africa, Huskisson, President of the Board of Trade, en­couraged commerce by the Reciprocity of Duties Bill, which prac­tically repealed the Navigation Acts. A year later another step was taken in the direction of Free Trade by the reduction of duties on silk and wool. At the same time trade combinations, either of work­men or masters, were legalised, and thus the more violent features of strikes dissappeared. Trade gradually recovered; and though there was a period of great depression and distress, accompanied by riots and machine-breaking in 1825 add 1826, the temper of the people was no longer so alarming as before. The middle classes began to see that reform was the best safeguard against revolution, while the writings of reformers gradually converted public opinion. At the same time, the claims of the great industrial centres, such as Birmingham and Manchester, to a share of political power became stronger every year as their wealth and population increased.

In 1821 the reformers won their first victory in Parliament. A Bill was passed concerning a certain change for distributing seats in the Parliament. But after this no further steps were made for several years. Lord John Russell, Earl Gray, and others, tried in vain to break down the resistance of the Tory majority, led by Lord Liverpool, who had been Prime Minister ever since 1812.

But the ministry itself was gradually becoming more liberal. Robert Peel's work also, as Home Secretary, was an important part of the sound progress, he succeeded in carrying out much-needed criminal reform.

In 1827 Lord Liverpool fell ill, and resigned, and great hopes were connected with Canning as a liberal statesman. The new lead­er was in favour of Catholic emancipation and a reduction in the import duties of corn; he therefore found that most of his late colleagues refused to serve under him. But his ministry was hardly formed when he was stricken by a serious illness and died, about three months before Admiral Codrington's victory over the Turk­ish-Egyptian fleet at Navarino, which secured the eventual inde­pendence of Greece; Canning's sympathy with Greeks illustrates his opposition to the spirit of the Holy Alliance and his champion­ship of the smaller oppressed nationalities.

At the beginning of 1828 the Duke of Wellington became Prime Minister. The duke was a strong Tory, and the hopes of the reform­ers sank very law. Nevertheless, it was in his time that the first steps towards reforms were made.

Catholic emancipation as a matter of fact, was the most press­ing problem of the day, and although the duke was its most deter­mined opponent, it could not possibly be ignored. From the be­ginning of the century Catholic relief had been continually discussed in Parliament; resolutions had been passed in its favour, and Bills in support of it had passed a second reading as early as 1813; in 1821 a measure had passed the Commons, but was rejected in the Lords.

The question was brought forward year after year till in 1823 Daniel o'Connell founded the Catholic Association. Two years later a Bill passed the Commons; but was rejected in the Lords, largely owing to the intervention of the King's brother, the Duke of York. A little afterwards the voting was repeated (in 1828), although it still showed the same result, even now: a narrow majority in the Commons and a great majority in the Lords. In Ireland itself the excitement reached its height when o'Connell was elected to the Parliament for County Clare. This broke down the resistance of the government. Wellington gave way at last, and he persuaded the king; and the latter after some hesitation gave his consent; the result was that the Catholic Emancipation Bill was passed in 1829, it prevented the Roman Catholics from sitting in Parliament. But o'Connell was returned as member for Clare. The destruction of democracy seemed the best safeguard against danger from Catho­lic liberty.

Soon after this George the Fourth died (June 1830). He was succeeded by his brother, William the Fourth, who was believed to be in favour of reform.

NAMES AND EXPRESSIONS

Duties Bill — закон (билль) о пошлинах

the temper of the people — настроение народа

Birmingham [ 'b3:minəm, -hæm]— Бирмингем

Manchester [ 'mænt∫istə ] — Манчестер

distributing seats — распределение мест в парламенте

Home Secretary — секретарь по внутренним делам страны

sound progress — здоровый прогресс criminal reform — реформа по делам преступности

to be in favour of — быть за

Navarino [nə'varinə]— S W Morea, Greece; the naval battle in 1827

as a matter of fact —- фактически, в сущности

a second reading — второе прочтение в парламенте

as early as 1813 — еще в 1813

the Commons — Палата Общин

the Lords — Палата Лордов

the excitement reached its height — волнения дошли до высшей точки

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