THE OXFORD ELECTION.
[TO TER EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.") SIR,—The chances, never too great, of returning a Liberal to Parliament for the University of Oxford, are doubtless diminished at the present moment by the fact that a certain number of Liberals heartily support the Eastern policy of the Government, and are unwilling even to seem to oppose it by voting for a Liberal candidate during the crisis. To this course of action one cannot reasonably demur. If they think the Eastern Question of such importance that they must vote on account of it against a candidate with whom they agree in general politics, and in favour of one with whom they disagree on all other questions, this is their only course. But the Liberals who are irreconcilably opposed to the Government will only help it by abstaining, as too many of themseein inclined to do, from supporting Professor Smith. His views on the Eastern Question are far more favourable to the Government than is pleasing to many of his Oxford supporters. But, after all, he is a thorough Liberal in other questions ; which will retain their importance after the question of peace or war has been decided. Which is the more reasonable course to support,—a candidate with whom you agree on nine questions out of ten ; or to abstain from voting, because he does not satisfy you on the tenth, however important, when abstaining will be virtually assist- ing his opponent with whom you disagree on all points, and will give the war party a fresh excuse for saying that the educated classes in England favour the policy of Jingo ?—I am, Sir, &c.,
A MEMBER OF PROFESSOR SMITH'S COMMITTEE.
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