We deeply regret that this question of Ministerial conduct will
have to be put before the electors. Had the Liberal Party accepted the amendment read out by Mr. Bonar Law, the incident, to the relief of all concerned, might have been declared to be at an end. The House would have passed a judgment befitting the facts and consonant with the true views of every one of its members, both as regards the unjust charges of corruption and,the just charges of want of delicacy of discretion, aid of candour. But a sycophantic party majority would not have it so, lest they should wound the amour propre of a "high Minister," and they must take the consequences. Sir Edward Grey asked whether it was quite certain that the charges had stopped. Had he and his party accepted Mr. Bonar Law's compromise amendment the answer would have been " Yes." As things are, it has become a public duty to work for a reversal of the precedent as to Ministerial conduct established by the unhappy, nay disastrous, vote of Thursday.
