150 THE EDITOR OP THR "SPECTATOR:I
SID,—May I be permitted to add my plea for the formation of a Centre Party ? And I would propose the name of " Unionist Free-trader," as being less objectionable to the moderate Liberals, many of whom are desirous of adopting an attitude that is at once anti-Socialistic as well as anti- Tariff Reform. As to the possible strength of such a party or its probable success at the polls, I opine that the data for a definite opinion do not at present exist. My own belief is that both the former and the latter would be considerable. Free-trade has not yet had an opportunity of showing its full strength, for it has not had a definite and single issue to vote upon. Take this constituency as an example. At the General Election this borough, which has always returned a Conserva- tive, had its usual majority reduced by fifty per cent. in an exceptionally heavy poll, and this in spite of the fact that the Conservative and Protectionist candidate was a strong local man who had filled nearly every municipal office, and to whom the electors felt the borough was under an obligation. And I further know that many Free-traders preferred the claims of friendship and party to the open declaration of their opinion. Had there been any halting-ground between a Tory and a Home-ruler, the Free-trade vote would have been doubled. This has probably happened in many constituencies. The time also is ripe, and those who should be our leaders are aware of it, if we may judge by their public utterances and writings. The mass of the electorate are oscillating, bewildered and unguided, between Tory reaction and Socialistic revolution. Both are not in accord with the national character. We are all looking anxiously for the " man of the hour."—I am, Sir,
&c., PRESIDENT, HAMPSTEAD FREE-TRADE LEAGUE.
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