The Gladstonians have nailed their weathercock to the mast. The
manifesto issued by the National Liberal Federa- tion—the body authorised to speak for the party as a whole— talks of " Home-rule first and foremost " when enumerating the legislation " demanded in the interest of the whole nation." After this, Unionist candidates will be able to dwell upon the Home-rule proposals of the late Government without fear of being told that Home-rule is no longer the issue before the country, — a plan of campaign which a certain section of the Gladstonians are not a little inclined to favour. The other measures enumerated as part of the pro- gramme are Employers' Liability, Welsh Disestablishment, an Irish Land Bill, and "One man one vote," and, of course, the cry against the Lords. "To the House of Lords Ireland owes it that the great measure of justice to that country, formulated and carried through the people's House after debate prolonged by every method which factious ingenuity could devise, was contemptuously thrown aside." The House of Lords is to be condemned because it prevented the passage of the Home-rule Bill. Of course the country will not agree; but at any rate the National Liberal Federation shows no lack of courage in making its chief attack on the Lords on this score.
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