LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE LIBERAL UNIONIST POSITION.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.']
SIR,-If you will allow this subject to be reverted to, I would say that Sir Thomas Bazley should bear in mind that thousands of Tory votes were cast for Liberal Unionist candidates, under the impression that such candidates in- tended to support Lord Salisbury. The rural elector does not split hairs, and the urban voter is not unlike him ; and as these men did much to secure seats for Liberal Unionists,. attracted by the compliments paid to the good work of Lord Salisbury and his Government, Sir Thomas Bazley, who is- President of an Association, would do well to possess his soul in patience.
Mr. Gladstone's is not a Liberal Administration : it is purely Gladstonian, its heart set upon the imposture of Home-rule, and upon other measures solely designed to " dish" the Unionists. When a Liberal Administration is formed, with the Duke of Devonshire, Mr. Chamberlain, Lord North- brook, Sir Henry James, and other true Liberals as Members of it, Sir Thomas Bazley may be quite sure be will have no dif- ficulty about his vote. The last six years have proved how much in common there is between robust Liberalism and the robust Toryism of the latter half of the nineteenth century. This, however, Sir Thomas quite forgot when he wrote his querulous remark touching some Tory dunderhead who had talked of John Bright " turning " Unionist. If Sir Thomas is " tired of being classed with Conservatives," be would do well to keep his fatigue to himself, considering how much he owes to Conservatives, and how much the whole party owes to them. In how many cases, I wonder, did the Tory vote secure- the fifty seats held in the present House by Liberal Unionists ? For myself, as a Tory, I am proud of association with Sir Thomas Bailey's party, and, far from being tired of being classed with it, have sung its praises on many platforms- amidst much Tory applause. Much better men than I have done it, and hope to do it again.
Had Lord Salisbury been returned to power, he would have tackled Registration reform, and other good " Liberal '" measures. I hope Sir Thomas Bazley may live to see his- Lordship carry them out, in default of a real Liberal Govern- ment being formed on the death of Home-rule.—I am, Sir,
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