Lord Arthur Russell addressed his constituents at Tavistock on Wednesday,
pointing out to them that though there was no Conservative reaction, in the strict sense of the word, no desire to undo what has lately been done, there is a very strong desire "to rest and be thankful," as his uncle put it, and was much reviled for putting it, under Lord Palmerston's last administration. The ballot, said Lord Arthur, had done a good deal to promote caprice, by permitting people who like to vote on the feeling of the moment, and who yet do not like to change sides publicly, to gratify their changeful fancies. Lord Arthur paid an eloquent tribute to Mr. Forster as a true statesman, who had net been willing, as Mr. Bright wished him, to wait for an imaginary future, when all the difficulties of the religious question had disappeared; and he attacked with rare force and skill Mr. Richard's dream of a permanent tribunal for European arbitration. We wish we had a few more Liberals in the House of Commons at once as sober and as loyal as Lord Arthur Russell. But we can- not agree with him that the extension of household franchise to the counties will keep much longer.
Previous page
