The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1567: Chapter 10: Palmerston’s Invitation_2

What made Graham famous was his proposal to reduce the salaries of public officials in the Lower House, as well as his criticism of the high salaries of Privy Council ministers.

After Count Grey took office, Graham not only participated in drafting the Parliamentary Reform Act but also, as the Naval Minister, initiated several arduous reforms within the Royal Navy. These included appointments based on merit (not selecting Navy Department officials based on party affiliations), improving sailors’ treatment and pension benefits, and ordering the abolition of various corporal punishments in the military.

The only regret was that he hit a snag with the Royal Navy’s customary practice of conscription (forced enlistment).

Despite Graham’s persistent efforts to abolish this ancient tradition, he ultimately failed.

However, it is regrettable that such a successful minister had to leave office due to differing opinions with the Whig Party on the Ireland issue.

Moreover, in Arthur’s view, Graham’s arguments against the Ireland Church Secular Affairs Bill indeed had some merit,

Graham believed that the foundation of the political union between Britain and Ireland lies in the Church as a link. Any interference in the Church system could destabilize this foundation, ultimately leading to the union’s dissolution.

From a liberal standpoint, Graham’s viewpoint is undoubtedly difficult to accept.

But from a realist standpoint, to promote the union between Britain and Ireland, it is absolutely necessary to gradually assimilate Ireland through the National Church of England. Even though this assimilation process is very slow and might infringe upon such basic human rights as religious freedom, even if it takes a hundred or two hundred years, this work must continue.

The departure of Graham and others not only cost the Whig Party several capable members but also affected the party as they often served as an adhesive within it.

Graham, a relatively pragmatic idealist in the Whig Party, could both converse with ”overly opinionated” Lord Brougham and Earl of Dalmo, and connect with the cunning Viscount Palmeston, who skillfully maneuvered between the Tory and Whig Party.

As for why Lord Brougham and Viscount Palmeston are specifically brought up,

That is naturally because these two were very incompatible.

The grudge between Viscount Palmeston and Lord Brougham began even before Arthur was born.

In 1806, when Palmeston had just obtained a master’s degree in literature from St. John’s College, Cambridge, coincidentally, Prime Minister Pitt Jr. unfortunately passed away due to illness. Cambridge University had to painfully say goodbye to this outstanding alumnus, who had served twice as Prime Minister and governed for 20 years, and elect a new representative for Cambridge University’s MP.

In Britain, MP seats at Cambridge and Oxford have always been viewed as the highest honor, making it difficult for young Palmeston to resist.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t the only one interested in this position. Compared to the then little-known Palmeston, Lords Spencer, Alsop, and Petty, also young but seemingly more promising, undoubtedly attracted more attention.

Lord Brougham, then serving as Princess Caroline’s private legal advisor and already quite prestigious in British politics, once wrote to Lord Macaulay of Cambridge University, clearly expressing his support for Palmeston’s rival, Lord Petty.

In that letter, Lord Brougham couldn’t hide his disdain towards Palmeston: Palmeston, one of the candidates, a young man who graduated from university just a month ago, lacks all the qualities required for this position. I distinctly remember seeing him in Edinburgh, where he studied at Edinburgh University for a few years, later transferring to Cambridge. It is precisely due to my understanding of his family and himself that I earnestly wish for Petty’s success in the Cambridge constituency. Palmeston’s family is staunchly opposed to abolitionism, unrivaled in this respect. Moreover, I think this young man is astoundingly self-centered. For him, the most significant aspect of contesting the election is the belief that among all ambitious pursuits, the life of a courtier is the most glorious. Don’t you think, based on the above, that our friends have far more reasons to support Petty to defeat Palmeston?

Therefore, tracing the origins of their conflict, it actually dates back nearly thirty years.

And in 1809, the then 25-year-old Palmeston was entrusted by Prime Minister Percival with the role of Minister of War, responsible for overseeing and guiding all accounts of the army, militia, and volunteer forces, a position he held for 19 years.

Putting aside Arthur’s personal grievances with Palmeston, Arthur must fairly say that Palmeston did a commendable job in this role.

During Palmeston’s tenure, he was always committed to improving military efficiency, and judging by Britain’s performance in the Napoleonic Wars, the British Army indeed rarely encountered logistical issues. However, due to his prolonged service in the War Department, Palmeston naturally developed a political style fervent in advocating for national power and military strength.

Furthermore, even at that time, his autocratic personality was beginning to appear. Despite being just in his twenties, he refused to yield in the struggles with the two consecutive British Army Commanders, Sir David Dundas and Duke of York.