Sir Stafford Northcote made an able, but we cannot but
say most disingenuous second speech, at Sheffield, on Friday week, in which he stated that the Liberal Government had taken office with many advantages,—a great majority, an able Ministry, and a chief who was implicitly obeyed ; and had done nothing with them but recede in colonial policy, carry out a juggle which they called repealing the malt tax, and pass a Bill which " ought to have a fair trial," but " involves a departure from great principles of political economy," the " subversal of mach of the social system of Ireland," and a " fatal blow to the reputation" of those who passed the Act of 1870. He declaredthat the Tories " would watch with great jealousy" anything that might be proposed in the way of expediting the business of the House of Commons by Liberals, then, entering on the question of Free-trade, hinted that Free-trade had been surrendered in principle when we signed commercial treaties, and uttered this enigmatical mot d'ordre :—"I have always been a Free- trader, and I am a Free-trader now ; but I desire to see Free- trade universal and fair." He knew the Conservatives were determined to bring the matter forward, and "we shall have carefully to discuss the subject." That is the most discreditable sentence Sir Stafford ever uttered. He panders to a momentary delusion, which he sees through, no man better, because it may catch votes ; but carefully protects himself against the day when the bubble bursts, by saying he is still a Free-trader. No doubt of it ; but he would tax everything, if only Tories might reign.
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