The common-sense of the people condemns the antiquated rule under
which politicians who accept high office must submit themselves to their constituents, and, except Lord Randolph Churchill, the Tory Cabinet Ministers have been returned un- opposed. As a rule, they have all obeyed what must have been a hint from head-quarters, and have said nothing of the future ; though Lord John Manners took advantage of the occasion to repeat at some length the old Conservative commonplaces. His party will uphold the honour and dignity of the Empire. It will not separate Church and State, even in Scotland. It will not abolish the House of Lords. It will not propose legislation setting class against class. It will not harass indus- tries. His colleagues have been silent, even from good words, even Lord R. Churchill avoiding a speech ; and, indeed, what are they to say ? They cannot speak of the past, lest they should remind their audiences of language they would fain forget ; they cannot speak of the present, for they do not wish to betray exultation; and they cannot speak of the future, for they do not know what Lord Salisbury is going to do. They find silence golden, and are silent with an energy which, considering how they must long to speak, is painful to the observer. Their silence has, however, this good effect. It has reduced their re-elections to an absurd form of no benefit to living man, unless, indeed, somebody gets fees for the ceremonial. He will be jubilant while all other men, the new Ministers included, are dull.
