CHAPTER X
HOME RULE AND MR. GLADSTONE
IN the fierce controversy that has raged over the Home Rule question, Mr. Asquith has, since he entered Parliament, taken a prominent part. His views have been clear and unmistakable. He has never fenced with the momentous issues presented, nor has he recanted any of his opinions. His attitude throughout has been consistent and courageous.
It was solely and specially on the question of Mr. Gladstone's Irish policy that he first came forward as a parliamentary candidate for East Fife to oppose the sitting Liberal member who had withdrawn his allegiance to Mr. Gladstone on account of the Home Rule Bill. He opened his election address to the constituency with the words: "I appeal to you as a hearty supporter of Mr. Gladstone's Irish policy," and he devoted practically the whole of his address to the same subject. The election was a straight fight upon Home Rule, and the issue was as specific and as clear as could be desired. His remarkable victory was, therefore, specially welcomed by the Liberal party and by Mr. Gladstone.
Mr. Asquith never failed to keep the question of Irish policy before the electors, giving it considerable attention in all his speeches. He was one of the most insistent in urging Mr. Gladstone to lay before the country, well in advance of the 1892 election, specific proposals instead of a general policy, for he was confident that the wisdom and justice of Mr. Gladstone's policy would be appreciated by the nation.
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