I cannot claim that
it was all that I ought to have said; several people have blamed me for
not calling attention to the use of the word "Herod" by Mr. Chamberlain.
But really the Speaker was so generous; I entered so fully into his idea
that recrimination would only prolong an odious, detestable, and
degrading scene--that I could not haggle about terms; and was determined
to do my part towards getting back the House to a sense of its honour,
dignity, and self-respect.
[Footnote: Mr. Hayes Fisher.]
There were some allusions to the deplorable business of July 27, during
the following week. But the allusions were few--very brief, and very
shamefaced. Indeed, the House of Commons was so heartily ashamed of
itself that it had not the strength nor the courage to face its own
ill-doing, and wanted to get away from the horrid thing as soon as it
possibly could. Yet there was a strong sense that an incident so
unprecedented--so disgraceful, so utterly lowering to the dignity of a
great, august and historic assembly--should not, and could not be
allowed to pass as though nothing had occurred. It was also pretty
clear, amid so many conflicting statements, that the responsibility for
the passing over the gulf between mere verbal encounter and physical
violence rested with Mr.
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