Lord Beaconsfield in a famous phrase declared that he trusted
to the instincts of an Imperial people. All English- men, Scotsmen, Irishmen, and Welshmen who love their common country of the United Kingdom and their heritage in the Empire may, we believe, in this instance be trusted. That Mr. Balfour, Lord Lansdowne, Lord Cawdor, and Mr. Chamberlain would ever consent to any scheme of separation masquerading under the blessed word "Devolution" is, in our opinion, incredible. We have differed very greatly with Mr. Balfour and his colleagues on the Conference, but we have never doubted, and do not now doubt in the slightest 'degree, the depth and sincerity of their Unionism. Never- theless it is clearly time for Unionists throughout the United Kingdom to bestir themselves and to show their countrymen the national desolation which, as Cromwell saw over two hundred and fifty years ago, must be the result of "Home-rule all round."
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