LORD ROSEBERY'S OPPORTUNITY.
[TO TUE EDITOR OF TUE "SPECTATOR")
think the article in the Spectator of the 21st ult. on Lord Rosebery's speech leaves out of account certain individuals, of whom I am one, who have hitherto voted for the Unionist cause. We are the younger generation of the middle class; our fathers are generally stone-wall Tories, to whom all innovations, especially when urged by their sons, are either dangerous or ridiculous, from the suppression of the drink traffic to the new pronunciation of Latin ; they will vote for the present Government to the end. Now whether we were awed by the paternal influence or were repelled by the Radicals' depreciation of patriotism and the patent im- practicability of their domestic schemes, we have hitherto with more fervour than consideration voted for Lord Salis- bury ; but the present situation has led us to a slightly different point of view. In our businesses we see no signs of any diminution of capability or application among our countrymen, and we ask ourselves why the latter, at any rate is so noticeably absent from the management of the nation's, business by its board of directors. The patriarchal system on which the Cabinet is constituted does not please us. We are weary of inefficiency and weary of the Cecils. When. therefore, we hear Lord Rosebery taking efficiency as his text, and sketching a policy which is sane yet imaginative, patriotic yet not pugnacious, we think that he has cut down the ancient political hedges and called on us to follow him. Sir, if the choice is offered to us, we shall vote for Lord Rosebery at the next Election.—I am, Sir, &c., TAr.o.x.
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