Last Saturday Mr. Asquith blew the fanfare for the opening
of the Liberal campaign at the National Liberal Club. Negotiations, he said, were over, and the state of war was resumed. As the Election bad to come soon in any case, it was better to have it before Christmas ; it would be worse for trade if it were delayed. The Liberal Party were charged with desiring a single Chamber. They desired nothing of the kind. They wished to end the single-Chamber system under which they were now living. The Liberal proposals amply provided against any abuses from rushed legislation. The House of Lords was busy in condemning itself. The reason was that the Tory Party could not face another General Election with such an incubus on its back. The Liberal plan alone would give "an even chance" in legislation. It was the only plan which pretended to meet the necessities of the ease. Mr. Asquith's speech contained forcible-seeming assertions, but it was really singularly weak. Could anything be more ludicrous than to say that none but the "Going, going, gone !" policy of the Government pretends to meet the necessities of the case ? Lord Lansdowne's scheme offers complete guarantees for referring every important question ultimately to the people. If that is not democracy, what is P Mr. Asquith's scheme would make a Liberal caucus the ultimate arbiter.
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