As to Mr. Gladstone's declaration for the principle of "One
man., one vote," Lord Hartington remarked that he did not think that even if Mr. Gladstone returned to power, he could give effect to this declaration at any very near date. The Irish Question would swallow up all others, and the electors who had been gained by Mr. Gladstone's adhesion to the principle of "One man, one vote," would have to postpone indefinitely the realisation of their hopes. till after the all-important question had been settled and embodied in our legislation. If the new concessions, moreover, are to be adopted into the Home-rule legislation, the Irish Members will be retained at Westminster, and they will have to be consulted apparently even upon the details of English and Scotch legislation, though Englishmen and Seotehmen are to have no influence over the details of Irish legislation. All these difficulties promise indefinite delay for every issue not absolutely forced upon the next Liberal Government by the General Election.
Previous page
