CHAPTER III.

THE PARLIAMENTARY STRUGGLE.

_Chronological Summary_ 203

§1. Northampton election of 1880 208

§2. The raising of the oath question 211

§3. Bradlaugh's request to be let affirm; opposition of select committee 216

§4. His first attempt to take the oath; opposition of select committee 224

§5. The affirmation question again; opposition of the House 234

§6. Bradlaugh insists on taking the oath; arrested and released; at length sits on affirmation 240

§7. His action in the House; enmity outside 248

§8. The lawsuit of Clarke and Newdegate--Bradlaugh unseated and re-elected (1881) 259

§9. Renewed conflict in Parliament 265

§10. Agitation and discussion in the country 274

§11. Bradlaugh's return litigation against Newdegate 277

§12. Insisting on entering the House, is ejected by physical force (Aug. 1881) 281

§13. Further litigation and discussion 289

§14. Bradlaugh again at the table of the House--takes the oath--the seat again vacated (February 1882) 293

§15. The new election--fresh agitation 301

§16. Fresh litigation 305

§17. Outside discussion--Bradlaugh and Manning 307

§18. The _Freethinker_ blasphemy prosecution 316

§19. Renewal of the constitutional struggle--fresh debating in the House 334

§20. Bradlaugh again takes the oath--again unseated, and again elected (1884) 343

§21. Continued litigation--end of the struggle 351

§22. The effect of the struggle on parties 362

§23. Its constitutional importance 365