Mr. William Forster addressed his constituents at Bradford, on Friday
last, in a long and very suggestive speech, distinguished as to foreign politics by a disposition to interfere only when the interests
of England required, but pointing out clearly and forcibly how much work still remains to be done at home. He spoke with cordial sympathy of every plan for raising the condition of the English masses, and repudiated frankly the notion of cutting adrift the Colonies. He wanted to turn them into cordial and fully trusted allies. The speech is analyzed elsewhere, but we must note here one idea common to almost all Northern Liberals which we greatly deprecate. He seemed in one part of his speech to advo- cate the policy of letting the Tories form a weak Governm eat, because that would be squeezable. We, on the contrary, believe that though a strong Tory Government would do good by toning the Liberals and disgusting the country, a weak Tory Government ,could do only harm. Lord Derby's Premiership is endurable, like any other strong medicine ; but a Disraeli-Bright Premiership— and that is what a weak Tory Government means—would be simply an indigestible mess.
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