He subscribed
to the Toronto Post, the leading organ of the Tories,
because of its fuller reports and more sympathetic
treatment of the Idea, due to the fact that the Idea
originated in a brain temporarily affiliated to the
Conservative party. If the departure to imperial preference
had any damage in it for Canadian interests, it would be
for those which the Post made its special care; but the
spirit of party draws the breath of expediency, and the
Post flaunting the Union Jack every other day, put
secondary manufactures aside for future discussion, and
tickled the wheat-growers with the two-shilling advantage
they were coming into at the hands of the English
Conservatives, until Liberal leaders began to be a little
anxious about a possible loss of wheat-growing votes. It
was, as John Murchison said, a queer position for everybody
concerned; queer enough, no doubt, to admit a Tory journal
into the house on sufferance and as a special matter;
but he had a disapproving look for it as it lay on the
hall floor, and seldom was the first to open it.
Nevertheless Lorne found more satisfaction in talking
imperialism with his father than with anyone else. While
the practical half of John Murchison was characteristically
alive to the difficulties involved, the sentimental half
of him was ready at any time to give out cautious sparks
of sympathy with the splendour of Wallingham's scheme;
and he liked the feeling that a son of his should hark
back in his allegiance to the old land.
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