The Press Thursday, November 13, 1924. The Liberals.
It is a pity that we shall have to wait five or six weeks before we can know what Mr Asquitli and Mr Lloyd George really did say to their followers on Monday to encourage them. We had yesterday a brief cable summary of Mr Asquith's address—about 130 words—and the bald statement about Mr Lloyd George that ho " also spoke in a cheer- " ing mood." But we are denied the cheering words themselves. If "also" means, as it should, that Mr Asquith was cheering, it was charitable of the cable reporter to omit the further reasons for confidenco contributed by Mr Lloyd George. Bccauso Mr Asquith's contribution, if the summary is a fair one, was an attack on "our "irrational olectoral system," an appeal for "spadework outside the " House," a pathetic reminder of the good old days, and a half terrified and half incredulous exclamation in reply to "the assertion that Liberalism was " permanently obliterated." It is not easy to imagine where the encouragement lies in that, and the misfortune is, as we have said, that we shall be thinking of our Christmas dinners, and not of the "dear departed" any longer, when the key to ■ the mystery arrives. But if it is difficult to understand Mr Asquith's defence it is easy to surrender to Lady Terrington's. Lady Terrington did not succeed iu hor action against the but she was triumphantly successful as an apologist for Liberals. To be Unionist or Labour is to be one of the crowd; but to be a Liberal js "so distinguished." If Mr Asquith and Mr Lloyd George liad taken the same high ground, argument would have been impo3sible.\ It really is a distinction, while it lasts, to belong to a party of whom "there are so few left," and if Mr Wilford knows his business he also will follow Lady Terrington's lead. But wo are not .quite sure that he does know his business. Mr Asquith and Mr i Lloyd George obviously do not know theirs, or they would not waste any more time proving that it is "un- " sound in reason and perverse in " policy" to suggest that the Liberals must be absorbed. Instead of denying what is actually happening, they would follow Lady Terrington to the photographer's, or get Sir William Orpcn or Mr . Augustus John to immortalise "Liberalism's Last Stand." And Mr Wilford also, instead oE coniirruiug to make unkind people smile at him, would confess to his "sr> distinguished" followers that they have nothing to look for but the vaguo curiosity of posterity. He would give them the option of going Eight or Left, but la would not hold out any fantastic of a new. hfe in the middle of the 'Toad.
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Press, Volume LX, Issue 18229, 13 November 1924, Page 6
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461The Press Thursday, November 13, 1924. The Liberals. Press, Volume LX, Issue 18229, 13 November 1924, Page 6
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