No. But in their vocabulary it is almost synonymous with autonomist.
The English Liberals are men who are convinced that things are not perfect, and who admit the possibility of reforms.
In the eyes of the Scotch, Liberalism consists in preparing to ask one day for a great reform: Home Rule. Before ten years have passed, we shall see Scotland and Wales electing Home Rule candidates, as Ireland is doing now.
The Scotch will consent to remain British on condition that the English allow them to become Scotch—that is to say, to manage for themselves matters which have no connection with the Empire, and concern the Scotch people alone; such as religion, education, and the administration of justice. They are too shrewd to desire to become once more Scots pure and simple, and so renounce their part and profit in the gigantic concern called the British Empire. They will continue to send members to Westminster to take part in the work of governing the Empire, but they will have a parliament or a council at Edinburgh, whose business it will be to look after matters purely Scotch.
They would be willing to walk hand-in-hand with England, but not by means of handcuffs.
The English are fond of talking of Scotland as if it were a county of England. The Scotch mean that Scotland shall be Scotland.
"Let the English look after England," they say, "and we will look after Scotland. As soon as a question relating to the British Empire arises, we will be as British as they. We do not want to destroy the unity of the Empire, or to break off our relations with the Parliament; but we simply wish to do as we like at home."
There is nothing extraordinary in such a demand.
When the Scotch, or the Irish, win a battle, it is immediately announced in the papers that "the English have gained a victory." But let an Irishman or a Scotchman commit a crime, and John Bull quickly cries out:
"It is an Irishman," or "It is a Scotchman."