In spite of the great pressure on our space, we
must make some reference to Mr. Asquith's speech at the Guildhall on September 4th. A more dignified or more worthy call to arms to a free people was never made. What Mr. Asquith said as to Belgium was in every way adequate, and we feel sure that our gallant allies in France and Russia will fully appreciate his references to them. To realize the full eloquence
and dignity of Mr. Asquith's speech it should be read as a whole, and we are glad to note that Messrs. Methuen and Co. have issued it in a pamphlet at the price of one penny. We will leave the speech with one quotation " What account could we, the Government and the people of this country, have been able to render to the tribunal of our national conscience and sense of honour, if, in defiance of our plighted and solemn obligations, we had endured, and had not done our best to prevent, yes, to avenge, these intolerable wrongs [i.e., the sack of Louvain] ? For my part, I say that sooner than be a silent witness, which means in effect a willing accomplice, to this tragic triumph of force over law, and of brutality over freedom, I would see this country of ours blotted out of the pages of history."
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