there is no standing…room upon any of our political platforms。 “Away with him！” would be the cry。 Therefore he must be content to remain outside； doing whatever work may e to his hand which he conceives to be clean and； in however humble a measure； useful。 It is hard to be an out…and…out party politician and yet remain honest — or at least some of us find it so； though the consciences of others are more acmodating。 Perhaps； however； this saying is not true in every sense； since some minds cannot consider a subject in all its aspects； to them light has but a single colour。 What they want to believe； that they believe。
Such are the views to which I have attained at my present age。 Five…and…twenty years ago； even fifteen years ago； they were different。 For then I still smarted from the whip of Mr。 Gladstone’s Colonial policy； and had less practical experience of social questions than I have today。 The great wrongs which Radicals were capable of working upon loyal Englishmen to serve their party interests dominated my mind。 In short； Mr。 Gladstone turned one who in all essentials would have been a moderate Liberal into an Imperialist who made the mistake； that is mon to those who “think in continents；” of underrating the needs and circumstances of the Home Country。 The Empire is very large and England is very small。 So is the heart small in proportion to a great body； but after all it is an important organ； and if it bees diseased or stops — what happens to the body？ Even today； when the Colonies are more powerful than they were a score of years ago； they would find this question awkward to answer； since there are peoples who； in such an event as the stoppage of our national heart； might be anxious to possess themselves of a limb or two of that weakened or paraly