Such explanations although correct are insufficient: some more positive causes
must be defined. The electorate of this country are not permanently swayed by a statesman who comforts them in their material anxieties unless he also possesses some outstanding moral quality which ministers to their essential idealism. Mr. Chamberlain obviously derives a large proportion of his authority from the fact that he is representative of what the great middle mass of people are feeling at the time. When they were longing to escape from intolerable dangers, he rendered escape respectable by calling it " appeasement." When their pride and anger are deeply stirred, they feel that he will defend their liberties without rendering resistance provocative. Mr. Chamberlain's re- versal of policy has, in fact, coincided with, and not coun- tered, a swing in public opinion. Yet this in itself would not be enough. The Prime Minister would not hold the position he does if he appealed merely to the instinct of self-preservation. The great virtue which he possesses is the virtue of heroic courage. It was that virtue which flashed on Friday in a face rendered haggard by the fears of half the world.
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