* *
" Comment is free," as C. P. Scott, the great Editor of the Manchester Guardian, observed in a dictum that has become classic. It is proper therefore that the Guardian should make what comment it thinks fit on Mr. Churchill or any other subject. It is equally proper that those who feel impelled should make some comment on the Guardian's comment. And I am bound to say that I do feel so impelled. For that paper's leading article on the economic debate last week was really remarkable. It would have been remarkable in any paper and much more remarkable still in the columns of the Guardian. Mr. Churchill made one of his great speeches—witty (it had the other side laughing as spontaneously as his own), forcible, destructive, but, with it all, genial. It was listened to without interruption. What has the Manchester Guardian to say about it? This kind of thing:
" Mr. Churchill . . . got back to political clowning."
"Mr. Churchill capitalised in rather mean and utterly unrealistic fashion our popular discontents on the scarcities of food, clothing and fuel."
" He chattered irresponsibly . . ."
"He spoke with incredible callousness . . ."
"He spoke with curious inexactitude . . ."
" The Churchillian style of tragi-comedy . . ."
Well, comment, as I have said, is free, but it is possible to be both free and fair.
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