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1888.] allies; nor does the particular question at all concern men who have shifted and changed their views upon the most important question which has arisen in our days, at the command of the most shifty and changeable political leader of modern times. Utterly unscrupulous as to the means, their sole object is to embarrass, weaken, and damage the Government; and with this knowledge, it behoves Unionist members to beware of playing into their hands by the exercise of an "independence" which, however laudable in itself, ought to be made subservient to the main and vital object for which they were returned to Parliament – namely, the preservation of the unity of the empire. These gentlemen would do well to bear in mind that the Unionist party, strong and united as it is upon' the policy which called it into existence, is composed of men who have hitherto differed upon many important political opinions. It is quite true, and it is much to be desired, that the association brought about by their agreement upon the great question of the Union may lead to such an approach to agreement upon other political matters as may ultimately lead to a closer alliance, and even to a complete and formal fusion between men who have already so much in common. It is evident, however, that, whilst the present state of feeling continues, the Government, in their legislative proposals, have to take into account the opinions of the Unionist party generally, and not only those of their Conservative supporters. Concessions must be made on either side, in order to secure the support of each section of Unionists; and if this cannot be secured, the Government will be obliged to content themselves with such uninteresting and ordinary legislation as may indeed avoid differences among their supporters, but will at the same time place weapons in the hands of their opponents, who will be able to point with some show of justice to the fact that the Unionist party can only agree upon one question, and that their agreement practically stops all legislation upon subjects in which the public are deeply interested. Nothing could inflict greater injury upon the Unionist cause than such a result as that to which we allude; and it is to this that misdirected "independence" may lead us, if unchecked by patriotic considerations. It is right and necessary that Government should be informed of any strong opinion entertained by a section of its supporters upon any political question or legislative proposal, but such information can always be supplied in a friendly manner, outside the walls of Parliament; and if necessary party discipline is to be maintained, and the Unionist majority preserved, differences of opinion upon details, or even discontent with particular measures of the Government, should never find their vent in letters addressed to the public press, or still less in amendments to Government proposals moved from the ranks of their own supporters.

In spite of the difficulties which they have had to encounter, the position of the Government can hardly be said to have been in any degree weakened by the events which have taken place since the Whitsuntide recess. Inside the walls of Parliament they have held their own by fair majorities upon every occasion when their legislative proposals have been challenged; and although the delays of