Thus was formed the Protectionist
party, strictly so called. This party being of opinion that there was
sufficient necessity for the Government Coercion Bill were in "great
difficulty to find a plausible pretext for opposing it." Lord George
himself hit upon one. The party held a meeting at the house of Mr.
Bankes, and after anxious discussion on the part of many members
present, Lord George at last spoke. He said "he was for giving the
Government a hearty support, provided they proved they were in earnest
in their determination to put down murder and outrage in Ireland, by
giving priority in the conduct of public business to the measure in
question,"--the Coercion Bill.[92] This was ingenious. The party
supported what was called public order in Ireland, but with a proviso
that might eventually defeat free trade by postponement. After some
finessing, the Government showed a determination to go on with both
bills. Lord John Russell and the Whigs saw their opportunity, and to the
dismay of the First Lord, he found the strange, incongruous,
unprecedented combination of Irish Repealers, Tory Protectionists,
Whigs, and Manchester League-men prepared to vote against him on his
Irish Coercion Act.
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