the country to protest against what was somewhat stupidly termed "the Jingo policy" of the Government.
The word "Jingo" had for some time been applied in a contemptuous way to the Conservatives, though the logic-of its application was not very apparent, sees that it was derived from the Basque name for the Supreme Being, namely, Jainko, However, the Liberals had never distinguished themselves for their logic, and they were upholders of the idea that "any stick was good enough to beat a dog with." It was remarkable, as showing the lengths to which party rancour will push men, that the majority of the Opposition became furious at the Government proposition; and both in the House and out of it indulged in language that was altogether new to English politics, notwithstanding that the vocabulary of abusive invective had for many years seemed to have been the peculiar property of the Great Liberal Party.
It is difficult, indeed, to understand how men who had been returned to the Parliament of a great country, with glorious traditions, and a network of ramifications that extended all over the globe, should have allowed their judgment to be so warped by party feeling. That there should have been difference of opinion was perfectly natural, but that this difference should have been subversive of every sentiment of patriotism seems almost incomprehensible. The dangers which threatened the United Kingdom at this time were very real indeed. But unfortunately the false teachings and erroneous doctrines of such men as Bright and Chamberlain had found disciples all over the country, and they hated with a fanatical hatred all those who were opposed to their views. They wanted their party in power, and in order to gain that end they were willing to squabble while the enemy was battering at the gates.
The vote of credit asked for by the Government was seized upon as a great party cry by the Opposition, and their leader in the Commons, Mr. Gladstone, made a mighty effort to overthrow the Government. It was the last flash, so to speak, of his so-called genius; and, though he was bowed and bent with age, and worn and weary with fifty years of political strife, his old strength and fire seemed to come
