26 NOVEMBER 1954, Page 7

Charles James Fox

We have heard the grievance that this man has not loved Gant'. A grievance—as though it were a fault in him ! racious God, Sir, is honour now a crime ? Is courage to be counted a weakness ? Is it false in a man to follow the truth as he sees it, a mischief to take the path of duty ? Cannot Party exist but that it must destroy all that is most lively in the human spirit ? ' Parties must be strong, and to be strong they must be united.' Is this the constitutional principle on ,Which you stand ? Is it by this that you would defend before nistory the exclusion of the honourable gentleman from your- Counsels ? What! had the bowels of Great Britain to be torn out, her best blood spilt, her treasure wasted, that your party might remain strong and united? Your party, strong! Yet You shut out the one statesman who could have added strength to it. Your party, united! Yet you scorned the only man Who could unite England. I spoke many times, when my voice was still heard in this Parliament, against.the prolongation of Unnecessary wars. But I protest more fiercely against those Who have made unnecessary wars inevitable. Today, yot who ?lice excluded him chant your praises. You cannot find hosannas enough to fill this hall. Not even the courtiers round the chair of Canute fawned with more rude flattery. But when tomorrow another prophet arises, will you know the voice of England ? Know it—and call it ' Warmonger ' !