As we have said, we do not desire to condemn
Ida Lloyd George. He tried and failed, bet he tried hard. On the contrary, we desire to express our unstinted admiration for the courage with which he spoke out and told the people the truth, careless as to whether it was what they wanted to hear. He refused to bow his bead before the joint thrones of Liquor and Labour. For his honesty and pluck he has been shame- fully attacked. For example, the Daily Mad of Friday makes the monstrous suggestion that he has " insetted the workmen." That is a gross example of hitting below the belt. Because Mr. Lloyd George at a moment of great national peril has refused to fawn and flatter, but has dared to speak the truth—i.e., has done the hardest thing which a politician can do, and is deserving of the gratitude of us all—he is to be smothered under a feather- bed of falsehood and obloquy. We recall no incident more degrading in our public life. The country knows that we have no cause to love Mr. Lloyd George, but we say without hesita- tion that he should receive the heartfelt thanks of all patriotic
men for his courage and sincerity. He at any rate has risen to the occasion. It is not necessary to agree with his views. Honest disagreement is perfectly intelligible and justifiable. To speak of him as insulting the workmen is not honest. It is a blow with a poisoned weapon. Nothing Mr. Lloyd George has said can possibly justify such a charge.
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