Evening star., 1937-02-14
Bee lin Scottish Bonnet

the English terrier" The English ter
rier is no doubt nice. well-disposed
dog, but the can humping uncomfort-
ably at his heels is in an ignominious
position, as all will agree
Many ScotSmen have got as far as
admitting to me that some kind of an
economic parliament" in Edinburgh
is both desirable and necessary.
Whether the Scottish National party
can detach the people from the old
political parties and their policies is
the problem which now confronts
them. Their success is a question of
leadership. wisdom, efficient propa-
ganda-and moderation.
One consideration I would very re-
spectfully put forward to them.
Case of Ireland.
ireland gained her independence
with the help and cooperation of
Irish exiles. Nationality is not deter
mined by domicile, but by race. A
Scot Is always Scot, whether his
domicile is Edinburgh, London, Mon
treal, Cape Town or Melbourne. Surely
more truly q national than an alien
living in Glasgow. For is there not an
old saying, "If cat litter in herring
basket, shall her children be herrings?"
No race in the world has so definite
sense of nationality-and the Scots
man carries his nationality, his GUS
toms and habits Of life with him into
exile. To these exiles-and am one
of them-I would say, if they will
have it:
Do not let Scotland become a mem-
ory only. Her life is not only Of the
past, but of the future. Let us, too,
play our part that her future may be
as great as her past. Do not allow
sentiment only to govern your
thoughts Of her-or let ancient men,
ories take the place of present-day
actualities.
If Scotland is to continue force in
the world it must be because she is
living nation and not alone store
house of saga and tradition. For
tradition is not only a memory Of the
past-it should be the keystone of the
future. It is the collective sum of
human experience-the arterial blood
of a people. We have to transmute
tradition into action, or it becomes q
sterile sentiment. Let us hold to our
old songs-and out of them make our
new.
Outside Aid Proposed.
There is a Scotland beyond the bor-
der which also should play its part in
any national movement, if it is to sue
ceed. For beyond the border pride of
race is very strong. Is it too much to
hope that the policy Of the national
party will remain one in which the
exiles can cooperate whole heartedly
--one, too, which will not take away
their birthright? Scottish memories
are as tenacious as the Irish-but the
Irish have no Bannockburn as an
Offset to bitterness. And when all's
said and done. Scotland gave England
her race of kings. The Scots remain
an unconquered people.
One other point. A capital city Is
the heart of a living nation. A few
weeks ago I was in Edinburgh-one
Of the most beautiful cities in the
world. But it is useless to pretend
that in this twentieth century she
does not carry about her the indefin-
able air Of a dowager who has known
better days. In Holyrood House
hangs the portrait of James vI-the
Scotsman who set the fashion of the
road south. What, I wonder, would
have been the result to Scotland If
James had set another fashion? That of
returning to Holyrood for six months
out Of the year. After all, he was King
Of Scotland before hs became King Of