Mr. Goschen commented on the assertion that British legisla- tion
could not be proceeded with while " Ireland blocks the way," and said that it must be boldly grappled with. Ireland would block the way a great deal more, if you established her in comparative independence as a separate Colony or aeon element in a federated Empire. Besides, to yield to an irreconcilable Irish minority would be a premium on disintegration which the foes of England would never forget. The Government must maintain order both in Ireland and in Parliament, and insist on pulling up some of the arrears of British legislation in the next Session. No doubt a great effort would be made to weary the Government and the people out, and it would take inexhaustible patience to withstand that effort. But inexhaustible patience might be displayed, and should be displayed. In the moral world, there have been no patent processes discovered by which the draft on patience can be abridged. "Refuse," said Mr. Goschen in conclusion, "to parley with those who tell you that the struggle will be weary and long. However long and weary it be, there is but one reply which you can make to the base and cowardly suggestion that you will be tired out,—' We surrender neither to crime nor to time.'" Mr. Goschen's appeal will not be fruit- less. Why, indeed, should we surrender P A democracy is like a sea which never wearies. If our statesmen weary, we must change them. The people are always renewing their strength.
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