and for themselves on the Fiscal question." There was, he
declared, a remarkable resemblance between the agitation for the repeal of the Union and the agitation for the repeal of Free-trade. If Mr. Gladstone had not taken up Home-rule, or Mr. Chamberlain Protection, neither cause would have obtained the prominence it had. We agree that the analogy is very close, but unhappily the Unionist Free-traders have not pursued their object with such unflinching devotion as did the Liberal Unionists. The latter were willing to risk all things, to break the closest party ties, and to abandon even their best-loved leader, rather than that the Union should run any risk. The Unionist Free-traders have not been willing to make so great an act of renunciation. They will not abandon Mr. Balfour as the Liberal Unionists abandoned Mr. Gladstone. We note with satisfaction that Lord George Hamilton, who was one of the soundest Secre- taries of State India has ever had, in dealing with the con- troversy between Lord Kitchener and Lord Curzon showed that he is entirely on the civilian side. It is clear that in the light of his great experience he views the treatment accorded by the Government to Lord Curzon with the strongest dis- satisfaction. Lord George Hamilton ended a very striking speech with the significant words: "Mr. Chamberlain's policy could not destroy Free-trade, but it ,was demolishing the Unionist party."
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