DOES LOYALTY PAY?
(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR!) Sns,—I have read with interest the letter under the above title appearing in your columns of March 18th date. My answer is no; and loyalty seldom has paid. In past history many a good man lost his head because he was " loyal," either to his Sovereign or to some Cause. And those who were " disloyal " reaped the rewards. But do you think it is right to ask if loyalty pays? Surely it is rather a poor thing to count the dividends before acting as one believes to be right. I have heard men say they would do this or that " at all costs"; and I must say this view seems to strike a higher note. I well remember immediately after the South African War, when contesting the Aliwal North constituency for the South African Parliament, being assailed at almost every meeting with the cry " Does Loyalty Par"? These Eastern Provinces were a hotbed of rebellion; but I think we were able to show that, " pay or not," the proper game was to keep South Africa for the British Empire; and the result has been justified. I sin- cerely hope that if the Ulster people stick to it they may " win out," with the same benefits as hare accrued to the loyalists of South Africa.—I am, Sir, &c., GRAHAM. Brodick Castle, Isle of Arran.
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