24 JULY 1886, Page 15

THE TORY IRISH POLICY AND THE LIBERAL IRISH POLICY.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."'

read in a recent Morning Post,—" The differences in the political convictions of Lord Salisbury and Lord Har- tington are of so shadowy a nature," &c. ; and many news- papers appear to be under the same delusion. Surely we Home-rulers and Liberals are being given credit for very bad memories. Too little notice appears to me to have been taken of Lord Salisbury's avowed and reiterated policy for Ireland (leaving out the word " coercion ") viz., twenty years of the tradi- tional policy of the Tories. What has that been P Has it been without any appreciable difference from that of even the Whigs e Who voted for and against the Disestablishment of the Irish Church, Land Reform, Compensation for Disturbance Bill, &c. Surely there was, and is, a difference of principle shown here, and of conviction too. The Tories, fond of accusing their opponents of giving np their expressed opinions for the sake of place, may, of course, be ready to show us whom the cap fits. But till they are prepared to accept Liberal principles, I cannot believe the difference is only one of name.

Ardent and hopeful Home-ruler as I am, yet as an earnest Liberal by conviction, I confess I look with satisfaction to follow honourably Lord Harlington as future leader of the Liberal Party, which will be sooner united in a forward policy than our timid friends and vacillating opponents expect. Moderating and moulding influences are at work which will render a safe settlement of the Irish Question possible. Then Liberal progress will go on in the too long delayed reforms needed for Great Britain and her Colonies. Let the Liberal Party be true to its principle of progress and trust in the people, and all will go well fur it.—I am, Sir, &c., SAMUEL FIGGIS.