Speaking at a luncheon at Newcastle on Thursday, Mr. Bonar
Law examined in a very frank fashion the ideals and prospects of the Unionist Party. The "awing of the pendulum" was no longer the reality it used to be. He saw no actual reason, now that the working classes had absolute political power, why a party of demagogues should not indefinitely purchase their support by promises and doles. Mr. Lloyd George was the most brilliant of demagogues, who no doubt meant what he said when he was speaking, but in his practices was just like other men. Mr. Bonar Law was not, however, despondent, since in the hearts of the people there was "a real spirit of patriotism and a real pride of nationality." One thing was certain—that the Unionists, while ever holding the ideal of "raising the condition of the mass of the people," would never compete with demagogues in making promises which they knew they could not fulfiL We are very glad, indeed, that Mr. Bonar Law made this courageous statement. Perhaps we are by nature more optimistic than many Unionists, but we are convinced that the British electorate has as much common sense as ever, and that they will always recognize and reward honesty without too much delay. The one fatal mistake for Unionists is to try to outbid a trafficker in quasi-Socialistic promises.
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