The effect of the Brighton election on Unionist opinion has
been most marked. The Daily Mail finds in it further arguments for its call for a Dissolution, which call has become the marked feature of the paper during the past ten days. The Daily Express and the Standard, which may, we presume, be considered to be the official organs of Mr. Chamberlain and the Tariff Reform League, adopt a tone towards the Government which is so critical as to be hostile in effect if not in intention; and the Globe joins in the demand for an appeal to the electors. Among Unionists generally the feeling against the Government is distinctly growing more bitter. Men who are by no means Free-traders openly declare that the Government's shilly-shallying has had its proper reward, and that nothing but humiliation and disaster can come to those who do not know their own minds on the only political question which at the moment interests the bulk of the nation. The prevailing opinion seems to be that the great blow dealt to the Government by the Brighton election will precipitate, not delay, an appeal to the people. It is only through a clearing up of the situation such as a Dissolution would produce that the party can hope to improve its position. On the whole, then, we should not be surprised if a Dissolution were to come soon after Easter, and if, after all, the Free-trade pack were to kill a May fox.
Previous page
