"It is...beyond question that the century now expiring has exhibited since the close of its first quarter a period of unexampled activity both in legislative and in administrative changes; that these changes, taken in the mass, have been in the direction of true and most beneficial progress; that both the condition and the franchises of the people have made, in relation to the former state of things, an extraordinary advance; that of these reforms an overwhelming proportion have been effected by direct action of the Liberal party, or of statesmen such as Peel or Canning, ready to meet odium and to forfeit power for the public good; and that in every of 15 Parliaments the people of Scotland have decisively expressed their convictions in favour of this wise, temperate, and in every way remarkable policy."