We rejoice at our contemporary's boldness and independ- ence, and
almost as much as journalists as Unionists. It warms one's heart to see a party newspaper playing not fOr safety, or following its leaders over a precipice in dumb acquies- cence, but with a full sense of party responsibility, and in the party's best interests speaking not smooth things, but true things. As Free Traders we could not ask what the Liverpool Courier asks, for we cannot speak in the name of Tariff Reformers as it can. We who think first, last, and altogether of the Union are bound, as we have said, to accept the decision of the Unionist Party whatever it is, but we want the decision of the majority, not of the minority—the authentic voice. That the Liverpool Courier does not in the very least exaggerate the dismay in the Unionist ranks we are certain. Not only in the House of Commons, but throughout the country thinking Unionists are in despair. They want to win—and small blame to them, with such a Government in office—and they realize that the power to win has been taken from them. The situation is so bad and so unnecessary that we are con- vinced that a way out will be found.
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