Then he went to the one new subject which he
has broached during his week's speeches, the grant of local Parliaments,—for that is what his speech indicates,—to Wales and Scotland as well as Ireland. "There is a great subject coming forward which requires, and eminently re- quires, the application of a Liberal spirit and Liberal prin- ciples. You are aware that Wales and Scotland are beginning to think, have begun to think, that something is due to the principle of nationality among them as well as among the Irish people. That, gentlemen, is perfectly true, and it is to you that the times have to look for a clear, equitable settlement of that principle. They do not mean anything adverse to the unity of the Empire. No one would dare bring an accusation so preposterous against our Welsh or Scotch fellow-subjects. That is reserved for our Irish fellow-subjects, upon whom so many of our fellow-countrymen have too long been accustomed to trample ; but it is the Liberal Party which will have to con- sider, in the course of its proceedings, what subjects they are that ought to be dwelt upon, not only with regard to what England thinks, but what Scotland thinks on Scotch matters, and what Wales may think on Welsh matters." So Federalism is announced openly at last as Mr. Gladstone's policy for the United Kingdom ; and anticipating the wry face with which his English followers will receive his medicinal proposal, he holds up the sugar-plum which is to sweeten it, at least to his Non- conformist allies. The local Parliaments of Scotland and Wales will be at once called upon to determine what shall be done in Scotland and Wales, as the consequence of that disestab- lishment of the Church in Scotland and Wales, to which at length he gives in his adherence. For Mr. Gladstone, having scrupulously waited till the majority of Scotch Members and the majority of Welsh Members had twice voted for Dis- establishment, now announces that in future he shall vote for the policy of Disestablishment in both Scotland and Wales. Mr. Gladstone also foreshadowed vaguely the probable Dis- establishment of the Church in England, but relegated it to a still somewhat distant future.
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