While dealing with the subject of the Peers we desire
to express, as Unionists, our deep sense of gratitude to the Daily Telegraph for the brave, wise, and public-spirited way in which it has dealt with the situation. It is not easy, as we know, for a Unionist newspaper to do what the Daily Telegraph has done, for its action is sure to be misrepresented and sure to be met with party cries of "white flag" ahd "white feather" and so forth. The proprietor and director of the Daily Telegraph, however, may feel sure that before very long those who are now attacking him so foolishly and with such vulgar ill temper will be admitting that he was perfectly right, and that in fact he played a great and conspicuous part in saving the Unionist Party from irreparable disaster. He may have the consolation of thinking that he has obeyed the wise words of Sydney Smith : "Never think it necessary to be weak and childish in the higher concerns of life." It would, indeed, be well for the Unionist Press as a whole if it could take those words to heart. We must add, however, that if Unionist journals in London have for the most part followed wandering lights, some of the great provincial newspapers, notably the Scotsman, have chosen the better part.
