On Tuesday Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman made a speech at Dunfermline
which was notable for its very plain speaking about Home-rule. The Liberal party, he said, were neither blind, deaf, nor idiotic. Two heroic attempts had been made within the last few years to carry out Home-rule, but they had failed, even though sustained by the genius and the enthusiasm of Mr. Gladstone. "Could they shut their eyes to the fact that the preponderating opinion in England was opposed to Home-rule, and that a third attempt in the present circumstances to pass it would really mean a third failure P What would be gained by going on kicking against a stone wall ?" This makes it absolutely clear that the Liberal party has abandoned the cause of Home-rule,—that a Parliament in Dublin has been struck out of the political programme. Meantime, it is curious to note that Lord Emly is reported to have become a Home-ruler and to have joined the Liberal party. We know from his letter in our columns that he is specially anxious about securing a Catholic University in Ireland. Does he fancy, we wonder, that a University with a Catholic atmosphere is likely to be got from Sir William Harcourt and Mr. Perks P
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