We must not forget that in this article we appealed
especially to Mr. Chamberlain, because we realised that it would be impossible for Mr. Balfour to act alone in this matter, and that he must carry the great protagonist of Tariff Reform with him. We ended therefore :—" The lot ix cast into the lap. The question whether the Union shall be maintained or not lies with Mr. Chamberlain. He saved the Union once before. Will he not save it again P" We quote these words because it seems to us that in the rash of the moment not sufficient credit has been given to Mr. Chamber- lain for his part in the splendid example of patriotism which has been shown by the Unionist leaders. It must never be forgotten that what has been done could not possibly have been done without Mr. Chamberlain's sanction and active sympathy. It is not necessary to be behind the scenes to know this fact: No act in Mr. Chamberlain's whole political career becomes him better than does this. We have differed, and differed very strongly, from Mr. Chamberlain, and in the course of those differences and in the heat of political con- troversy have doubtless said harsh things about him; but we never doubted his essential patriotism. The proof of that confidence is now writ large.
