Mr. Morley's speech at Ipswich on Saturday last was a
string of the merest party platitudes, though, it must be con- fessed, of platitudes dressed with the utmost literary grace and charm. The Liberal Unionists have determined to work more closely with the Conservatives ; therefore, " politics with these gentlemen are no longer to be a matter of conviction." The Local Government Act does not " give the people in the villages" the control of their own affairs ; therefore, it is non- sense to say that the Liberal Unionists have induced the Tories to accept Liberal principles. Mr. Chamberlain called the Irish " a kept party,"—this was most unfair, because Irish- men love their country. Such were some of Mr. Morley's substitutes for argument. The most imposing platitude of all was, however, that in which he dealt with the question of the present policy of the Gladstonian Party :—" Our policy is that laws for the government of Ireland should be conducted by such men as Mr. Dillon, who believe in their country and love their countrymen ; and not by men like Mr. Chamberlain, who despise them." The English electors may be stupid, but such a colossal begging of the question as this will never serve them in place of argument.
