Mr. Balfour was the chief guest on Wednesday at a
com- plimentary banquet at St. James's Hall, given by the National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations. Mr. Stuart-Wortley, the Chairman of the National Union, pro- posed Mr. Balfour's health in a speech in which he described him as the most interesting political personage in the country at the present time. He had been regarded, when he was first made Irish Secretary, as an unfeeling tyrant; and when he first became Leader of the House of Commens, he was sup- posed to be a failure even in the eyes of his best friends. Now, however, both these legends had been discredited, and Mr. Balfour was regarded as the most fascinating figure on the political stage. Of Mr. Balfour's reply we have discussed the most striking characteristics in another column. But we may add here that it was happy in its meaner, im- pressive without being assuming or exaggerated in its sub- stance, and was received with the utmost enthusiasm. He said that the Gladstonians were applying for a situation, but that they had failed to bring testimonials to character. They do not quote their own performances either in the Govern- ment of 1884, pp in the short and tragic Government of 1886. Thei gay you must give us Home-rule, and must not insist on knowing exactly what it is ; but directly you have swallowed your dose of disagreeable medicine, you shall have your reward of Disestablishment, first in Wales, then in Scotland, and afterwards probably in England.. Give us Home rule, and then we will endeavour to improve on the measures which the Unionists have passed in relation to local government, or if we cannot help you, you may rely on our ingenuity to devise something which will at least injure the- squire and the parson. Give us Home-rule, and we will make- yon any number of sympathetic speeches in favour of the Pro- gressive policy of the London County Council. The Glad- stonian candidates in the country taboo the subject of Home- rule ; but they promise right and left whatever they think the- constituencies will be likely to find most effectual for oblitera- ting the bitter taste of Home-rule in their months.
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