The imprudent section of Lord Rosebery's speech, on which we
have commented elsewhere, was that devoted to local self- government. He looks upon the extension of this device as the great work of the new Parliament, but would carry it very far— farther than we can follow. He would not only place the counties, even in Ireland, in the hands of elective Councils, which is wise, but would create National Councils, elected by the County Councils, with very extensive powers. Ho refused to define these powers, but hinted that they should include the power either to pass or to press for—we do not know which—a Croftel- Bill, which in Ireland would imply the right to settle the Land Question. We will give no right to rob to anybody ; nor, as we believe, will the English people ; and if that is what Lord Rosebery means —which seems to us impossible—there will be a schism among Liberals. Even if he does not on consideration go this length, we doubt altogether the wisdom of making national boundaries, and boundaries for self-government by representative bodies, conterminous. Parliament will be gutted of its best men; and its claim to sovereignty, which is based on its representation of the whole community on all subjects, will be seriously weakened. Nolignits historian Angliai mutari.
