The effect of Mr. Gladstone's Manifesto is already becoming apparent.
The Whigs call it vague, the Radicals over-cautious, and the Tories crafty; but all alike admit that it has healed fends. Mr. Goschen praises it ; Mr. Chamberlain, though he raises his own flag, is respectful to it, calling Mr. Gladstone "a greater master than I;" and Lord Iddesleigh styles it the work of a man who is no statesman, but a grand tactician. It has been accepted by all sections of Liberals ; and every candidate who speaks is careful to say that his own views are so-and-so, but he can so far cordially go with Mr. Gladstone. The termination of anarchy among Liberal candidates was the first object of the Manifesto, and it has been successfully attained, all groups agreeing to march at all events as far as Mr. Gladstone. This is as it should be. There are two kinds of drill,—the one which reduces soldiers to machines, and looks so wonderful in a march-past ; and the other, which leaves them individual, and is deformed by a tendency to straggle until the hour of action, but makes the highest soldiers. Either will do ; but some drill there must be, especially in a contest in which part of the regular army are expected to join the enemy. It is not a majority only which is required this time, but a majority so great that the eighty Secessionists will be powerless before it. One Committee should be organised in every district solely to bring out as many of those who habitually do not vote as will in that district neutralise for this Election the Parnellite strength.
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