Lord Rosebery delivered his great speech on the fiscal question
at Sheffield on Tuesday. No better illustration could be given of the fact that "spirits are not finely touched but to fine issues." The note of egoism, and of over-sensitiveness to public opinion, which was 'to be found in too many of Lord Rosebery's recent speeches, has disappeared, and with the inspiration of a really great subject, and one which Lord Rosebery has profoundly at heart, has come a sense of sincerity and purpose. No one could have put better what we have always deemed the essential point in the present controversy,—namely, that Mr. Chamberlain's policy must be combated in season and out of season in the interests of the Empire. If his policy of " `tied-house' Imperialism" is to prevail, the ruin and disintegration of the Empire can only be a matter of time. Those who believe in the British Empire, and place its welfare above all other considerations, must oppose Mr. Chamberlain as its deadly though unconscious enemy. Unless, as Lord Rosebery sees so clearly and states so convincingly, we can maintain Free- trade and liberty as the foundations of our Empire, it is doomed. That Lord Rosebery's help in the cause will be of immense value is beyond question. No one can deny the strength and reality of his Imperialism, and he has got the ear of the people.
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