14 AUGUST 1886, Page 16

UNIONIST POLICY.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—Yon ,.express very happily in one sentence of your important article on " The Danger before the Unionists,' what may be regarded as the mandate of the people of England to the new Ministry. It is placed in power "to maintain the Union, and at the same time to remove all the grievances which threaten the Union." This has been the consistent policy of the Liberals for many years. In accordance with it, we have disestab- lished the Irish Church, and reformed the Land Laws, and settled

judicial rents. So long as Mr. Gladstone led us in this truly Liberal,

direction, we followed him with enthusiasm. Now, unfortunately, he has allowed himself to be discouraged by the apparent ingrati- tude of the Irish people, and with a pathetic longing for assurance of their affection before he passes away, he has offered them a gift which would carry with it degradation and war. With infinite regret, we have decided that we can follow him no further. He has shown us the right path. Even at his bidding we will not stray from it. Accordingly, we have entrusted the Government to Lord Salisbury, hoping, not without misgiving, that by him our fixed policy will be maintained. He may call his Cabinet Conservative if he- chooses. We demand only that, under whatever name, his measures shall be Liberal. He has now to solve the problem of " maintaining the Union, whilst removing all the grievances which threaten the Union." Time will be allowed him, if he desires it, to any reasonable extent. But if we find that when, Parliament meets next spring, he has nothing to propose but mere stupid coercion, or, if he wishes to do nothing, leaving our great problem still unsolved, we shall undoubtedly require him to give up the reins to men bolder and wiser than he. But if, on the other hand, he has the strength to overrule the indolent and timid, if he is not afraid of popular abuse, if he knows how' to rule his own Cabinet, and to hold the confidence of unwilling followers, he may count upon the loyal support of the Liberal Unionists, and may probably remain in power for years to come. To him and his party is given a great opportunity. In a few months at the latest, we shall see whether or not he is capable of using it.—I am, Sir, &c., A COUNTRY PARSON, L.U.