We mean to return next week to the subject of
the move- ment to oust Mr. Balfour from the Unionist leadership which is, unfortunately, on foot among certain sections of the Unionist Party. We will only say here that we believe that movement to be fraught with the utmost disaster. If it is persisted in it will shatter the Party to atoms. Though we have often differed from Mr. Balfour both as regards principles and tactics, we are convinced that a great deal of the criticism of his leadership is most unfair. We refuse altogether to admit that his leadership can only be defended on the ground that there is no one else to put in his place—though that, as it happens, is the fact. He is a consummate master of Parliamentary tactics, and he has—which is now of vital importance—the cause of the Union most strongly at heart. Instead of fighting about his leadership, it is the duty of all who care for the cause of the Union to close their ranks behind Mr. Balfour in the great struggle that is coming. Remember, too, that the dethronement of Mr. Balfour would also mean the dethronement of Lord Lansdowne, for he would never acquiesce in an intrigue to destroy his colleague. But Lord Lansdowne can no more be spared than his chief. The notion of the Party being strengthened by the elimina- tion of these two leaders is so preposterous that we are almost ashamed to deal with it. Unhappily, however, we have no alternative but to do so.
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