[To TER EDITOR 07 THE " SPECTILTOR."1 you allow another
old-fashioned Conservative to express his entire disapproval of (what he thinks) the most ill-advised letter from Mr. Oliver, which appeared in your issue of November 23rd P It was never more true than it is to-day that "he that is not with us is against us." At the present moment it is obvious that there are only two alter- natives possible-, either for this Government, with its vast possibilities for ill, to remain in office, or for the Opposition, led by Mr. Boner Law or Lord Lansdowne, to come into power. I ask you, Sir, is there any other possibility ? And what good does such a letter as Mr. Oliver's do, now that the decision as to Tariff Reform and the Referendum is un fait accompli 7 It might, perhaps, so long as the matter was under consideration, have been helpful, but now it is not only absolutely useless so far as the forces of Union are concerned, but it is antagonistic to them. The official leaders of the Unionist Party, knowing the heavy respons. bility which rests upon them, knowing also from their many sources of information throughout the country what are their chances at the next General Election, have taken a decided and definite course which admits of no ambiguity, and as loyal Unionists we must support them—as you right loyally have decided to do—or join the forces of social chaos led by Mr. Lloyd George. It will not be the first time in English history that men for the sake of their country have subordi- nated their personal opinions to the requirements of State necessity. How many of his followers agreed with Peel in the great crisis of 1845—no greater than the present—when he decided to repeal the Corn Laws ? What our ancestors could do in the way of self-sacrifice for the good of the State, all of us who believe the present Government is leading us headlong to ruin ought to do now, whatever we feel about Tariff Reform. It is only whole-hearted enthusiasm for our party that will get rid of the present formidable confederacy which is against us ; and after all Mr. Boner Law, who is so splendidly fighting in the House night after night for the cause which we have at heart, knows what he is doing and deserves our entire support.—I am, Sir, dm, 0. H. P. M. Harrow.
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