In the House of Lords on Thursday night the Duke
of Devonshire made a speech on the Fiscal question and the position of the Unionist Party which, we venture to say, was one of the ablest and most statesmanlike ever made, even by him. In the discussions as regards the unequal distribution of wealth which Mr. Chamberlain may be expected to indulge in with the Labour Members, tbe Duke expressed the opinion that be would find that none of their projects and plans con- tained a more Socialistic principle than that which is embodied in his own scheme. Here the Duke touched on a matter of vital importance, for unquestionably the basic principle of both Protection and Socialism is the same. Both assume that a nation's wealth may be increased by Act of Parliament, and both involve a denial of human liberty. In a passage of com- manding political wisdom, the Duke warned the House of Lords of the difficulties that they might have to encounter in regard to legislation sent to them by the new House of Commons. They would have to consider bow far it might be wise, how far it might be prudent, and how far it might be their duty to exercise their Constitutional rights in relation to such legislation. He trusted that the advice given them .by their leaders would be based on the wise and statesmanlike advice which was, on more than one occasion, offered by the late Lord Salisbury. All true friends of the House of Lords will trust that a wise and prudent spirit will be displayed by them ; but we confess to the fear that there is a certain danger of their acting, not on these principles, but on advice dictated from Birmingham.
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