On Tuesday, Mr. H. H. Fowler reiterated the statement that
the real issue before the Newcastle constituency was Home-rule, but made it evident how very reluctant he was to give Ireland the kind of virtual independence for which the Nationalists cry out. "The Irish Members" were, he said, a power at "Westminster which they could not despise. It would make itself felt. He did not like it any more than they did. He neither liked the power of the lrish Members, nor giving up the time of Parliament to Irish questions. He wanted to relegate Irish affairs to the proper place. He wanted Irishmen to do the work of Ireland. He wanted the representatives of the United Kingdom to do the work of the United Kingdom." Again, he said, "he was an English Non- conformist, and would be no party to any measure which would in the slightest degree contain the possibility of inflicting any disadvantage on any of his fellow-subjects on account of their religious faith." Well, then, we apprehend that Mr. Fowler will hardly remain in Mr. Gladstone's Administration through the Home-rule debates of next Session.
