In such a situation it was just possible that Mr. Chamberlain
would escape from his position with flying colours; would have the
_Daily News_ censured for falsehood by a House of Commons that believed
in its truth; and have himself declared chivalrous by a Parliament that
knows him to be malignant, unscrupulous, and merciless. To prevent such
a catastrophe it was a painful but necessary duty to bring out the
realities of the case; and not only a painful but also a thankless duty
in face of what everybody knew would be the attitude of Mr. Gladstone
himself.
[Sidenote: Mr. Gladstone shakes his head.]
For Mr. Gladstone did not delay long in indicating to the House what his
attitude would be. When I was speaking and denouncing the rude
interruptions of the eventful Thursday night, he shook his head
ominously and in contradiction--though manifestations which came from
Liberal and Irish Benches showed that he stood alone in his view of the
events of that night. And it was no surprise to the House, therefore,
when he stood up and said that he entirely disclaimed any feeling of
resentment for anything that had been done to him, and that he confessed
he had not perceived the interruptions to which the report of the _Daily
News_ had called attention.
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