Fifty years ago
FROM THE crowding multitude of reflections which the election-and-all- that excites it is hard to sort out the two or three that seem to predominate. But about the first there can be no question. Thousands, perhaps millions, even of those who cast votes that wrought Mr. Churchill's downfall, and did it open- eyed, desire nothing so much today as• to find some means by which the nation can make clear beyond the possibility of misunderstanding, in this generation or any after it, that gratitude to one of the greatest leaders this country ever pos- sessed is as universal and as intense as ever. How is expression to be given to that? Mr. Churchill does not want hon- ours; he has just declined the Garter. He does not want, and possibly would not welcome, a gift of money, even if it came in the form of subscriptions from an eager public. In spite of that I should like to see a Shilling Fund in honour of the late Premier inaugurated — no sum of more than a single shilling being accepted from anyone — in the hope and belief that at least twenty million shillings would be swiftly subscribed. What form a memorial which such a sum would command should take would be a matter regarding which the recipi- ent's own wishes would be decisive. But it should be something that would com- memorate to all time Winston Churchill and him alone.
The Spectator 3 August 1945
Previous page
