New-York tribune., 1877-05-18
NEw-YORK, FRIDAY, MAY Is. 1877.

1t does It counts for more than the OPINION vi my
other one man among those who have opposed MI
Gladstone almost wonder that nobody bethought
himself of Lord Palmerstons bitter remark in old
days-that if an enemy were ready 70 land on tne
shores of England, Mr. Bright would make calcu-
lation whether it cheaper to let him in or keep
him out. 1t was most unjust remark, for nobody
ever understood Mr.. Bright to mean that he would
not approve purely defensive war. But 1t had an
element of truth in it which stung, and just tlat
element it is which deprives Mr.. Brights counsel oil
value OH this particular question. lie ls opposed 70
intervention of any kind because 1t may lead 10
armed Intervention. His associates believe, lndeeu'
that the country is opposed to armed intervention
either side and will take their stand on general
declaration of neutrality. The effort to dlscreoi'
Hr. Gladstone with the country will rest manly Oh
the ground that his fourth resolution might require
England to join Russia in coercng Turkey. But the
practical effect of the effort is none the less 10
strengthen the hands of that section of the Govern
ment which. with Lord BeaconsGed at its head
seeks to lead England to join Turkey in coercing
Russia
To impute any personal motive to Lord HartlnS-
ton on account of the hne he takes against MS
former chief would be unjust rs to lmpute IL 10
Mr.. Gladstone himself The two men are as unlike
as possible in many things, but they are alike III
freedom from selfsineSs or seltseeklng OF any
kind Lord Harrington has always worn his armor
with certain reluctance. If he has any ambition
he has well concealed it beneath deIneanor OF COM
pete Indifference. He has, all men agree, honestly
striyen to do the duty he reluctantly assumed as
leader and he has grown better able to discharge 1t
as time on. and experience came, and interest
in political life grew lat times keener than interest
in horses. say at times, for | believe he was not
present at the memorable meeting on Wednesday,
when the decision was takenagainst Mr. Gladstone
nor even in London IL he present, 1t is one OF
his own friends who IS responsible for saying that nc
was not but was at ew-Market-thc Two Thousand
Guineas being run on that day. His own mlnd had
been made mp before; and it may not have been
etiquette that he should take part in conference
which had practically to decide whether he should
remain leader of the party.
II is from Lord Iiarington's friends also that the
statement comes which represents the SALISBURY
wing of the Cabinet urging the suppression Oh the
Gladstone resolutions, and the sitting OF all debate
They, il is averrcd, regard silence on the LlDera
side as their best ally. II is impossible to accept
this vicw plausible though it be. The reason gwen
that Lord Bcaconsfed's personal authority will
be increased by anything that diuinlses the iorcc
OF the opposiGon,-begs the question. Light u
wanted also on another point. With whom did SIT
John Lubbock consult before he gave notice-as he
did directly after Mr.. Gladstone sat down-that he
would move the previous question: These are de-
tails, but shall venture to assume that even details
are not unintercsting when they relate to so soT-
rowfu an event the disruption of the only poitl-
cal party in England which, by virtue of ITS prln-
cIpIes and personal compositions has any sympathy
with the principles which the American Rcpnh-
lie is built Ii certainly is something to us to Know
why men we have so long hOnored-why Mr.
Bright and Mir. Forster-tale decision which de-
prves them of the support of the greater part, and
the most liberal part. of their former supporters
q. W. S.