A Leap In The Dark[4]
Chapter I—Old And New Constitution
The Home Rule Bill[5] contains a New Constitution for the whole United Kingdom.[6]
The Bill bears on its face that its object is 'to amend the provision for the Government of Ireland'; it is entitled 'The Irish Government Act, 1893'; it is in popular language known as the Home Rule Bill. But all these descriptions are misleading. It is in truth a measure which affects the government alike of England, of Scotland, and of Ireland. It changes, to some extent the form, but to a far greater extent the working, and the spirit of all our institutions. It is a bold attempt to form a new constitution for the whole United Kingdom; it subverts the very bases of the existing constitution of England.
The present constitution of the United Kingdom is marked and has long been marked by two essential characteristics, the one positive and the other negative.