Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1894-02-16 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1891.  THE STRUGGLE WITH TIIE LORDS.., THE high tens on of political opinion at the, centre of Government, the hoisterouslt enthusiastic proceedings of the NatiOnaL Liberation Federation meetings ,at Ports-: mouth, the electricity which is reported to till the atmosphere of the House of Coin;i mons, and the awakening of political life ih the country generally are all signs that a; great crisis is upon us. It is plain that the id issue Peers versus People is forcing itself to the front again, attd in a serioas fort the past the issue has never been 411 tnitteil to the nation directly. It has r  Hite  timed played a subsidiary part to other and more engrossing, more urgent issues: Appearauces point now, however, to the likelihood of a stand-up tight upon the one plain end clear question—shall the house of hereditary legislators, for the most part Coneervatives, rule us or shall the self-government which is nominally the principle of our conetitutioe demanded as a reality? The prospect of a contest upon this issue cannot but rouse the hearts of all true Liberals, and- bring back the high and resolute spirit which animated their forefathers in all the strenuous popular struggles of the past. It is a political issue, which infinitely surpasses all others in importance, both immediate and proSpective, and upon none will the Liberal hosts unite so gladly for doughty battle, as upon this, whenever the time comes. Are we now, however, quite ready fur the fight? We do: not in the least question the ultimate result of a contest with the peers if entered upon at the right time and in the right way. But. it is necessar3, to be on our guard against premature action,' It would he foolishness of 'the most fatal kind to conclude that because the Liberals of our industrial townt: can get into white heat upon this question at a moment's notice, the Liberals of the, rural constituencies will do the same. Town Liberalism and country Liberalism are not identical quantities yet, and .fer this alli important fact due allowance must be made. If our crusade is to be the brilliant one which it should be, and which it may be, if %veil conducted, we must allow time for rural opinion to be thoroughly enlightened and rural feeling to be thoroughly awakened.' Impatience and indignation must first get to boiling point, and as yet there are In great signs that they are more than simmering. The towns are all right already; it is tHe country that is lacking. There would be neither rhym3 nor reason in a speeds dis7,l solution. Why not let the House of Lords I go on wrecking and mutilating Bills? The more the better for us. The Government , should set their minds steadily against the were idea of a prompt appeal to the nation Let the Registation Bill be introduced and passed by the House of Commons, and then in turn be thrown out by the Upper House. Then let another Bill he set up, and then another. Too many cannot be rejected for our purpose. Our best policy is to give the peers as much rope as possible; there are four hundred of them, and if they are to commit political suicide they will want a lot of it. Meanwhile, Liberal associations everywhere should bestir themselves and do all in their power to foment the feeling of the electorate, an especially is this necessary in the rural parts. s', en. r vH .  I  BA