Before we leave the subject of the dinner we must
mention, though with great reluctance, the message from Mr. Chamberlain to Lord Selborne, which was read out at the beginning of the proceedings. It was as follows :—
" I hear that you will preside at the dinner to Lord Halsbury. I wish I could be present, and I heartily support the object. The country owes a great debt to Lord Tralsbury, since in this crisis of her fate he has refused to surrender his principles."
These words, of course, censure—and are meant to censure— Lord Lansdowne and Mr. Balfour for the advice they have given to the Unionist Party. To praise Lord Halsbury for his action is to condemn those who have taken exactly the opposite course and are endeavouring to get their followers to do the same. Mr. Chamberlain, we are sure, would be the last man to flinch from that conclusion, and we note with satisfaction that he puts no foolish and insincere stuff into his letter about loyalty to the party leaders.
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