UNIONISTS AND "THE SPECTRE."
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
can, I regret to say, corroborate from my own observa- tion what your correspondent "E. T." (Spectator, June 22nd) says about "Unionists and 'the Spectre." I am persuaded that, at least at present, the Unionist Associations in London "care infinitely more for Tariff Reform than for anti-Home- rule." I am chairman of one of the large Unionist and Con- servative Associations in London, and I was also one of the deputation which waited on the Duke of Devonshire to pro- test against the Home-rule Bill. I bad a conversation with the Duke afterwards, and he authorised me to tell the members of my Association that Tariff Reform must be kept in the background if we wished to have the assistance of Unionist Free-traders and of moderate Liberals. I held a largely attended meeting about a fortnight ago and repeated what the Duke had said to me. It was received with a burst of indigna- tion, almost of uproar. I had to use rather strong language to keep order. I confess I was not prepared for the disturbance, nor was I aware till then of the deep feeling in favour of Tariff Reform in my constituency, which, I suspect, extends nearly all over London. Home-rule now means separation, and it is possible Tariff Reformers may now see the necessity of placing it in the " second distance," as I said, and combating what would bring misery to Ireland and great trouble to England. The fate of the Unionist Party depends on their decision. The aspect here at this moment is very bad. Experienced agents tell me that arms are being, since the relaxation of the Crimes Act, largely introduced, and that unless the Government act with decision the law will be defied, cattle everywhere driven, and the payment of rent refused.— I am, Sir, &c., C. BRINSLEY MAELLY. Belvedere House, Mullingar.
Previous page
