We fear we must not make too much of the
great meeting held at the Memorial Hall, Farringdon Street, on Wednesday. It was attended by upwards of 400 delegates, most of them from separate towns or from very large associations, and representing at least a large party in each electoral borough, enthusiastically welcomed Mr. Gladstone, who addressed them, and passed reso- lutions deprecating a war to break up the Treaty of San Stefano, and thanking Lords Derby and Carnarvon for their strenuous efforts in the cause of peace. If they represented the whole class of workmen, war would be impos- sible; but it is probable that they represent rather the Liberals, the labourers who have not votes, and especially the Noncon- formists, who have throughout the struggle been especially faith- ful to their principles. Mr. Gladstone, in the course of his speech, repeated his belief that the people were with him, pointing out that of the thousands of letters of abuse which reached him, nearly all came from London. He had not had three such letters from Scotland or from Wales, and not one-twentieth of them from the English counties. It is quite possible -that the War party make more noise than their numbers warrant, but we dread the action of the medium boroughs like Worcester. They are not alarmed about their trade, they know less of the controversy, and war gives a very pleasant fillip to their dullness.
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