LORD HARTINGTON IN SCOTLAND.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPEOTATOR."] -Sin,—Lord Hartington comes down to Scotland next week for a more important purpose than you seem to wet of. His errand is not merely, or principally, "to take up the freedom of Glas- gow," which was voted to him the other day, in rather a scurvy -fashion. Months ago he was asked, as the recognised leader of the Liberal party in the Commons House, to address meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow, which are intended to be representative gatherings of Scottish Liberalism. Their purpose is to celebrate -the formation, east and west, north and south, of great Liberal Associations, designed to foster unity of action and to diffuse ,community of information, to be at once an ear-piece through which a knowledge may be derived of what is going on at head- quarters, and a mouth-piece through which the wishes and opinions prevalent in their several districts may be declared. Their birth is due to a sense of shame because of the facility -with which the Tories were allowed at last election to repossess 'themselves of divers seats whence they had been triumphantly swept 'out, and to a conviction that these reverses were made possible only through the slack and haphazard character of the Liberal 'organisation ; for North of the Tweed, as elsewhere, it has been a characteristic vice of the party that they lack the firm discipline and orderly methods of their opponents. No doubt there are reasons inherent and congenital why Liberals never can be wrought -tea like perfection of drill and absolute obedience to command with that which distinguishes the Tory side. No doubt there is like- wise some risk that these new Associations (the idea of which belongs to that rising young patrician, Lord Rosebery) may be led to attempt too much, so causing immediate mistrust and mischief, and preparing the way for their own final break-up. Yet if managed with a wise caution, they may prove of inestimable ser- -vice in rallying, steadying, and directing local activities, as well as informing and maturing general counsel. At all events, ap- pealed to as he was, Lord Hartington could not, with any regard to the responsibilities of his position, shirk the task to which he was invited. That it will be one of the most arduous and deli- .ate be has ever essayed is true, but I do not understand the alarm and anxiety which prompt your solemn warning and depre- cations. Like you, I should deem it a misfortune were the party to scramble into power with its present undecided mind, -vacant eyes, and stammering tongue. Like you—though no one can calculate the movements of a power so subtle and sym- pathetic, so elastic, intangible, and electric, as that of political opinion among a free people—I scarcely think the Marquis is the man to give forth such an utterance as will become a catching -watchword, and will kindle an all-conquering enthusiasm on 'behalf of a distinct and acceptable programme. But I do think be may be credited with penetration and sagacity enough to say what will be useful as well as safe, what will compact and stimu- aate the adherents of reform, while it will be worthy of his reputation as a man of robust and clear sense, though of nowise ,
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