Pacificus (Frederick Scott Oliver)

Federalism and Home Rule Pacificus (Frederick Scott Oliver)

Publisher Marketing: The following letters form a general argument if taken together; but none of them is a complete argument in itself. Consequently, misunderstandings have arisen on the part of readers who have not considered the full statement of the case. The three letters of an earlier date have a certain bearing upon the discussion. Their object is to insist upon the importance of removing questions of constitutional change from the ordinary routine of party politics. The Introduction deals with the failure of the recent Conference and the position of parties at the present time, and also endeavours to remove certain misconceptions which have arisen in regard to "Federalism"-a term which, although it has come into popular use, is not an altogether accurate description of the proposals which it is intended to cover. The writer of these letters has no authority to speak for the Federalists. He has endeavoured to gather the views of this section of political thinkers from such of their recent writings and speeches as have appeared in print; but it is not unlikely that he may have misunderstood their aims in various particulars. And neither has he any official connection whatsoever, direct or indirect, with the Unionist party, of which he is merely a private member, with no ambition to be otherwise. The views which he has ventured to put forward are therefore to be judged according to their own merits and demerits. No one is in any way responsible for them save the author.