Finally, Mr. Chamberlain declared that the Bill introduced by Lord
Cadogan would render unjust evictions in Ireland quite impossible, and that that was why Mr. Parnell was so alarmed at it, and called this Bill a stab in the back to the Irish tenant. Yet so long as the National League and the dynamiters of the Chicago Convention are allowed to block the way, no remedial measure that Parliament can carry will be allowed to succeed. "For the first time in our history," said Mr. Chamberlain, " foes have sympathisers and supporters within our ancient fortress, and their plan of attack finds encouragement from those who ought to be the strongest defenders of the citadel. This it is which makes our task more arduous, but it also makes it more honourable." The Liberal Unionists, in short, are uniting with the Conservatives to prevent the Parnellites, under favour of the Gladstonians, from surprising the fortress of the United King. dom, and making themselves masters of the position. Con- sidering the story of 1882, that would indeed be the most serious blow to the honour of our nation of which the last eight hundred years has any record.
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