The house of Industry : a new estate of the realm

CHAPTER XV FACTORS OF VICTORY

THE I.L.P. MISSES THE WAY

I am, alas! one of the few remaining founders of the I.L.P. Sad to relate, a generation has grown up that knows me not. In my old age and obscurity, I watch its winning (and losing) ways, and muse upon what might have been. I liked those jolly and sinful days before policy and statesmanship cramped our style. We damned Webb and his permeation; cursed the Liberals; laughed to scorn their plaintive plea ‘‘ not to split the progressive vote ’’ and that ‘‘ half-a-loaf was better than no bread ’’; lampooned John Burns; scourged Campbell-Bannerman; rejoiced in our ignorance of Karl Marx ; hated the S.D.F. because it wasn’t sentimental enough; romanticised our leaders ; didn’t mind ridicule ; founded the Labour Church and spoke from Nonconformist pulpits ; in fact—

“ Saw distant gates of Eden gleam, And did not deem it was a dream.”’

With political success, our leaders went to Parliament and all too soon were declaring themselves to be loyal House of Commons men. They were well-behaved and decorous. In time they

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