In the House of Commons on Thursday Mr. Balfour reminded
the House that the changed atmosphere of the discussions did not mean that the House was agreed. "No, Sir, it means that we are frightened." That, of course, is perfectly true, and it is well to remember it; but we are sure Mr. Balfour would agree with us that it is better to be frightened into prudence than to be so insensitive to the realities of a situation as to have no fear. Throughout life we have often to adopt courses of action, not because we think they are the beat in themselves, but because we are frightened of worse things happening. Mr. Balfour, we are glad to say, reaffirmed as strongly as ever his faith in the Union, and his belief that there never was a worse policy than what is called Home Rule for Ireland, nor a worse way of carrying out that unfortunate policy than the present Bill. To these general propositions we give our absolute assent. As to Home Rule, nothing would give security for peace except the Exclusion of Ulster. As to Federalism, he had never been a believer in cutting up the United Kingdom, but still, if some form of Devolution could solve the problem, he would not stand in the way—a sentence which, we may say, also exactly expresses our own view.
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