- We are informed that a leaflet is being circulated
in the Andover division of Hampshire where the present by-elec, tion contest is proceeding; entitled "Our Tory Government Described by its Friends," which contains some extremely mia. leading quotations from the Spectator, criticising the action of the present Government in certain particulars. Theleaflet isii good example of how to produce by partial quotation an' entirely misleading result. The Hampshire electors* are care- fully not informed that the quotations are made from an article which was headed "The Duty of the Unionist. Party," and that the whole point of that article was to urge upon t country in general, and Unionists in particular, the paramount, and imperative importance of supporting the present Govern.. 'neut. We admitted that there were many things in the.record of the present Government to be regretted, but we urged that nevertheless 'patriotic Unionists had only one course open to them,—i.e., to support the present Government. This leaflet only quotes the criticism, and omits to add after.: our criticism.—" at present the one and essential duty of all Unionists is to support the Government, and to givethem. a strength and stability which shall be beyond all question!" We went on to point out• that if the Unionists were weak, the Liberals were infinitely weaker, but added :—" If the Liberals. were as strong as they are weak, and if they could provide to morrow a sound alternative government, we should say, as we say now : 'Be the failings of the present Government never so great, they must be kept in office, and kept there in the enjoy= ment of the utmost stability of tenure, till the war is over."`. What are we to say of a cause and a candidate which have to be supported by the methods involved in the 'production . .
of the leaflet in question ?
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