On Wednesday, the Duke of Rutland—better known as Lord John
Manners—addressed at Ilkeston a large meeting of Derbyshire Unionists, Conservative and Liberal, in a speech which well illustrates that quality of sensibleness which has made him a valued member of Conservative Cabinets. Dealing with what is the chief dread of Unionists pessimistically inclined—the fear that the country may grant Home-rule in sheer weariness—he pointed out that so long as men like Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Davitt support boycotting and the " Plan of Campaign " with their present violence, " so long will the sense and conscience of every English man and woman revolt from the idea of capitulating to their utter- ances." This is perfectly true. The violence of the Home- rulers unites the different sections of Unionists into a mass whose cleavage, the danger of all political allia nces, is abso- lutely impossible. There are many ways of supporting the Union. There is only one of resisting anarchy and violence. Equally sensible was what the Duke of Rutland had to say as to Mr. Gladstone's declaration that the Unionists are laying a trap for him when they ask him, What is the Home-rule you now propose?' No doubt his reticence is often a difficulty to the Unionists, who dislike fighting a shadow. We must not forget, however, that the matter is worse for the Home- rulers. The moderate and the extreme sections are silently and by themselves developing two perfectly incompatible schemes, and some day the party will find itself hopelessly seeking for a compromise in face of the enemy. Nothing demoralises men on the march so much as ignorance of their destination.
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