THE PRIME MINISTER'S LETTER TO THE UNITED STATES
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,--This is the age of the slogan. I hate both the word and the thing ; and yet I am on the point of raising the cry : " Fair play for Mr. Baldwin ! " So far he has had none. I do not refer to his political opponents. They play the regular political game, to which he alone among politicians is superior. But his own party, at least, might grant him a little intelligent and generous sympathy. Of this the signs are few and feeble. Throughout this horrible coal dispute he has fought the nation's battle with unparalleled singleness of heart. The statement to America at which you cavil was made necessary by a Socialist attempt to slander the nation. It was in her defence, and not in his own, that he spoke the truth and nothing but the truth. Any generous heart could have under- stood how bitter the task must have been to him. A shower of stones from " Labour " was inevitable. But you—need you have contributed your pebble ? I have made myself ridiculous by writing several letters of this kind. It is, of course, a waste of my time and of the reader's—if, indeed, the letters ever get read. But the injustice of all this makes me oblivious of " wisdom and dignity."—I am, Sir, &c., [We had no intention of flinging the smallest pebble at Mr. Baldwin when we admitted and " regretted the necessity " for his letter.—En. Spectator.]
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