who would not pledge himself to oppose Mr. Chamberlain's policy,
is not to be taken as merely a recommendation in favour of abstention but of no further action. On the con- trary, the Duke asserts his definite approval of the course pursued at the recent by-election at Chertsey, where the Unionist Free-traders in the constituency not only voted against the candidate who would not pledge himself to oppose Mr. Chamberlain, but did their best to induce others to do the same, and worked actively to secure the return of the Free- trader. But while adopting this attitude, they refused to become members of the Liberal party, to abate one jot of their Unionism, or to admit that by remaining Free-traders they forfeited their right to be Unionists. The Duke's firmness and out-spokenness on this point will, we are convinced, increase that possibility of re-establishing the Unionist party on a Free-trade basis for which we have worked, are working, and shall continue to work.
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