We offer no excuse for quoting the letter which Lord
Rosebery has written to Mr. Harold Cox on the subject of his candidature at Preston. After saying that there is no one, excepting of course his own son, for whose return to Parliament he is more anxious, Lord Rosebery continues:- " You were the most independent Member in the House of Commons that is about to die, and there is no place where independence is more needed and more rare. Your speeches, therefore, so remarkable for their ability as well as their spirit, were priceless contributions to debate, and there are many who, like myself, would deeply regret were Parliament deprived of them. I hope there is no chance of this, for both parties must recognise the value of a voice so dauntless and so brilliant as yours. Independence seems to me the most crying political need of the hour, and you stand for that." Lord Rosebery has expressed with his wonted felicity what all moderate aim feel about Mr. Harold Cox, a politician who has redeemed the role of candid friend from its generally well-merited unpopularity.
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