On July 1st, Lord Hartington was still remarking that
he 'really did not feel that he knew the mind or intention of the
Government in respect of the relief of General Gordon'. The month
was spent in a succession of stubborn efforts to wring from Mr.
Gladstone some definite statement upon the question. It was
useless. On July 31st, Lord Hartington did the deed. He stated
that, unless an expedition was sent, he would resign. It was, he
said, 'a question of personal honour and good faith, and I don't
see how I can yield upon it'. His conscience had worked itself to
rest at last.
When Mr. Gladstone read the words, he realised that the game was
over. Lord Hartington's position in the Liberal Party was second
only to his own; he was the leader of the rich and powerful Whig
aristocracy; his influence with the country was immense. Nor was
he the man to make idle threats of resignation; he had said he
would resign, and resign he would: the collapse of the Government
would be the inevitable result. On August 5th, therefore,
Parliament was asked to make a grant of ?300,000, in order 'to
enable Her Majesty's Government to undertake operations for the
relief of General Gordon, should they become necessary'. The
money was voted; and even then, at that last hour, Mr. Gladstone
made another, final, desperate twist.
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