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Quote#Politics & Power

Liberalism was a plant which did not thrive in stagnant waters, and…

Quote byJames Bryce, 1st Viscount Bryce · 1838–1922

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Speech to the London Liberal and Radical Union at St. James's-hall (11 January 1887), quoted in The Times (12 January 1887), p. 7.

English (original)

Liberalism was a plant which did not thrive in stagnant waters, and the waters of London, to their shame be it spoken, were stagnant. Where there was a want of active zeal all the worse and baser instincts which had power in politics told against the Liberal party. The money power was against the Liberal party, and so was the liquor power.

— James Bryce, 1st Viscount Bryce

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