Seeing this, the Katsura Cabinet postponed the opening of the Diet, which was scheduled to be held on January 21, during 15 days, however, this measure resulted in only pouring oil on the flames, and after the second rally of the Campaign for the Defense of the Constitutionalism held in Tokyo on January 24, the campaign grew into a nationwide public movement.
21日、議会の開会予定をさらに15日間停会した桂内閣の処置により、かえって運動は加熱し、24日の東京での憲政擁護第2回大会はじめ、運動は全国的なひろがりをみせて一大国民運動となっていった。