THE LULL.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE 'SPECTATOR.'] SIli,—In describing the present political "Lull," you advise, with much happiness of phrase, "those in power to think, those in opposition to reconsider." And there is one subject for reconsideration on which, in common with other Liberal Unionists of the rank and file, I for one, should be glad to be enlightened.
We are now represented in Parliament by forty-six Members from various districts. How will their votes be given P Under the late Government their chief duty was to keep Mr. Gladstone out of office, for fear of his Home-rule experiments, which we are still persuaded must end in disaster. With this primary object in view, they had occasionally to refrain from supporting Liberal measures of which in the abstract they approved. And this unfortunate
necessity has been made the most of by Gladstonian orators in rural districts.
But since the election the situation has entirely changed. The Gladstonian party is in office, with a sufficient majority to accomplish much useful Liberal work. Will the Liberal Unionist Members continue their general opposition, in the hope of driving Mr. Gladstone from power ; or will they support the new Government, where the Irish rebellion is not concerned, on all questions of true Liberal policy ?
Though Unionists, we are Liberals too. Some of us are a little tired of being classed with the Conservatives (one of whom spoke the other day of John Bright having "turned" Unionist) ; and we shall find it hard, now that a Liberal Government is in power, to vote for Tory Unionist candi- dates, who, though willing enough to prevent Mr. Gladstone's Irish bedevilments, would also do their best to hinder sound Liberal measures of reform.—I am, Sir, &c., [The answer to Sir Thomas Bazley is, that he must wait till Home-rule is struck out of the Liberal programme. Till then, and the Kingdom is safe from dismemberment, the duty of a Unionist is to resist a Home-rule Government. —En. Spectator.]
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