The General Committee of the National Liberal Federation on Saturday
passed a resolution highly eulogising their retired chairman, Mr. Schnacihorst. They praise his "wisdom in council," his "unfailing tact in policy ; " and Dr. Spence Watson called him "the prince of organisers," who selected and trained men for the party. A letter was also read from Lord Rosebery, in which he actually says, "I cannot but feel that the simultaneous retirement of our great leader and of the chief organiser of our forces is a heavy blow," thus raising Mr. Schnadhorst to a level with Mr. Gladstone. We cannot demur to such praise so far as it is personal, for only the party leaders can know the facts, and they affirm it to be deserved ; but we demur, from reasons stated else- where, to such an exaggeration of Mr. Schnadhorst's office. If Mr. Sohnadhorst was Mr. Gladstone's equal in political im- portance, then the great Liberal party was governed by an irresponsible leader who worked, listened, and decided in secret. He may have been the best and ablest of men, but what was his place in the Constitution?
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