The most interesting fact of Mr. Butt's speech was his
announce- ment of Lord Robert Montagu's conversion to Home Rule,—for the legislative sanction of which Mr. Butt says that Lord Robert sub- mitted a Bill to the last Tory Cabinet,—and his further announce- ment that some very big statesman,—he called him at first a Duke, —was also willing to vote for the federal scheme. However, Lord Robert Montagu can hardly take rank as a statesman at all, and till we hear who the anonymous Duke is, we cannot attach even so much value to his conversion. It might have been the Duke of Marlborough, who is a good step below his former official subordi- nate, Lord Robert. At all events, till Ireland returns the eighty Home rulers for whom Mr. Butt asks, it is quite safe to adjourn
the consideration of the question. Perhaps the Ballot may turn, out a more Conservative institution in Ireland. than in England. There is good reason to hope it.
Previous page
