As we have spoken of the apparent deficiency of feeling
in Scotland on the subject of the Turkish atrocities and misrule* it is only fair to record that on Thursday week. Edinburgh held a meeting on the subject, in which the popular feeling manifested was at least as enthusiastic as in any meeting in this capital. A very powerful speech was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Walter Smith, in which Lord Beaconsfield's remarks on the efficacy of Secret Societies were sharply criticised ; and it was pointed out that all these Societies could do was to provide the spark which sets on fire the gunpowder of bitter animosities sowed broad-cast by the systematic Turkish misrule. If Lord Beaconsfield's compli- mentary remarks on the deep enthusiasm of the British people were meant as a mode of soothing that people till he bad time to do what they did not wish, he had altogether miscalculated the depth and force of the movement. The meeting also passed a very strongly-worded resolution in favour of an Autumn Session. We are not only ready but anxious to be convinced that our impres- sion as to the backwardness of Scotland in this matter was a mistaken one, and certainly the Edinburgh meeting is a very substantial step towards such a conclusion.
Previous page
