New-York tribune., 1903-06-22
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN IN THE VAN.

To the Editor cf The Tribune
Sir: Your articles on the fiscal situation at West
minister are In their common sense and their per-
ception of the circumstances IN pleasing contrast
with the nonsense that has been served up to Us
helpless readers in some other journals
To those who have a memory, it is interesting to
recall the parallel Of the years 18so-'S5- Then as
now Mr.. Chamberlain in the van of progress
Then as now, he patriotic as TO be de-
scrbed by one of his Little England colleagues, as
"the only lingo in the Cabinet" Then, as now, his
interest the toiling was such as to bring
on him the nickname of Socialist. Then, as now,
he was detested by the individuaIst fanatics, who
describe themselves Liberals Then as now
he had hard work dragging forward the dull. the
slow the men of routine and tradition 1hen as
now the old fogies in the party with which he
worked had the support of the other party. But
then IN spite of BOTH he generally got his own
way. and probably he will get his own way now
1t is amusing to recall one case in which he did
not get his own way. In June, 1885, he urged the
Liberal government not to rene" coercion. but 10
try local government for ireland. He had the ma
ioritv of the Cabinet against him. but six months
later those same gentlemen were trying to give
ireland independent parliament So mueh Ter
their convictions Lord Rosebery, who was one
Of those men. now has changed back. because an
inderendent parliament for Ireland would mean the
ruin Of the empire. That is he sees after sixteen
years reflection what Chamberlain after six
teen hours Such is the difference between the
SLOW s nd the S% said W fhout fS SOWING the
land question Home Rule is impossible. and If you
solve the lane question Home Rule is unneCes-
sary' Seventeen years after Chamberlain every
one is saying this. 49,
1t is not difficult TO predict the future for those
who know the past. Chamberlain will continue 10
educate his party and the country. with the tull
sympathy of the Prime Minister and the support OF
the Younger and more progressive members or the
Cabinet and of the party. He VIII be opposed oi
ralrce nv the opposition. and by the pedantS ana
fanatics who believe that the right of the consumer
To huv where i5es-iTTespectlve of the eHect on
national prosperity and power-is one of the in
alienabIe rights with which the Creator has en-
dowed all -
Ant he has three or four years till the general
election Ior which he may choose his own time
And when that election comes the chances are
that he will have the support % OF the manu-.
faCturers who surely will accept protection ~ OF
the agricultural interest in Great Britain and
mark il wellD Ireland t3) Of large part or the
yyorlingnen who will believe-not without reason
that JhaInberlain's policy viii bring them higher
wages as well old age PENSIONS. ana t4) OF so
many Of the general consumer class q. e. sal
aried clerks professional men and the RENTER
cisss as do not object TO sacritlce few dollars a
year for fhe consolidation of the empire
with s1;rh backing he VIII either win the cleo
tions or if defeated. will soon come into power
stronger than ever. And those VINO pin their
fait 10 tta Radical party would do we'll TO remem
her that in ENGLAND reforms are often carried IN
he cd rlv those who at first oppose them. Car
ried bv some this reform viii be before many
reare =: arc over SPECTATOR.
New York, June II.
p SIS it not very significant that Morley, the
hioprapher of Cobden. has held himself aioof from
this last kick Of q dying Cobdentsm? Evidently
the one member Of the Liberal party who IS capa-
bic of thinking for himself is thinking now.