New-York tribune., 1877-06-14

understanding The meeting was, moreover, saiu
he the justification of Mr. Gladstones confidence III
tho generous instincts of the English people ana a
protest against the carpRg critics and haifhear'ed
supporters who arc never active Duewhen 'hey
think it neccssary TO prevent other people nom aot-
ing He went still further; indicating. II not iorm
Mating. that programme which the Federation
circular omitted. "Thcy hoped to complete u ma
tonal system of education; to complete the pro-
gramme of Bright and Cobden by freeing the lana; !;
and to secure complete acknowledgment of rehs-
ious equality" That is explicit enough. Non-sec-
tartan Education Land Reform, Church-Disestab-
lisbment-these are the three points OF Mr.. Cham-
berlains new Charter. To no one OF them ~ Sr'
Gladstone vet pledged. but Mr. Forster is pledged
against the first; Lord Harrington. by virtue OF ms
position and rank, is the enemy of the second; whic
both of them, and with them nearly every member
of the last Cabinet against the third iet there
are still people who expect harmony" IN party
which enrOlls under ono and the same banner the
ardent advocates and the determined opponents OF
the most vital measures on which the party must
take a decision. The only possible Liberal party
repeat is party of the Future, redeemed, regen-
Grated observation-disclosures reorganlzed.
Important as all this is, the immediate value of
the Birmingham meeting as an expression OF OPINION
on the Eastern question is still higher The out
was not more remarkable than the profound feeling
against the Mohammedan policy of the Government
which found vent. / have left myself no room TO
speak Of this except most briefly and it is perhaps
enough to say that il was reaiirmation of the re-
solve announced all over England last Autumn. and
again at the beginning OF last moBth The people
of this country are determined they will not go to
war for Turkey. They suspect the Government OF
meaning to 60 TO for Turkey, and they accord
ingly assemble in vast numbers from time to time
10 reiterate their resolve Mr. Gladstone warned has
hearers that the effort they arc engaged
in must be u continuous effort. There must
be sleepess vigilance. The people can only
depend on themselves. The policy o. the
Government is policy Of zgzag and see-saw; Lord
Beaconsfelds influence prevailing one day. Lo'd
Salisbury's the next and no man knowing what s'r-
prise the shifty chief OF the Tones may nave IN
store. There viii be ether meetings. Other coIn-
tries n,ut not hc LETT 10 suppose that this spirit OF
opposition 20 the Government relaNcs-that the
England Of Lord Beacorscld and Lord Derby is the
real England This and much else VI Gladstone
enforced with that lnexhauste versatility II mcn-
tal poyer which is ene of his most wonderful quail
Ties The speech rs q whole is q lass splendid ora
torcal display than either of those he lately dcliv-
cred in the House OF Commons. BIT it Is none the
less most brilliant and admirable spcccl-a speech
which nobody could have made who had not that
energy Of moral conviction winch is one secret of
Mr. Giadstoae's hold Oh the intellect and conscience
Of his cOuntrymeI.
Air Bright was not present. IIo could not now
assent to the resolution which be- had seadfastly
opposed when II tir,t offered. The Tory organs
refer conspcuousy 20 his presence the same night
in tbe Housc of Commons But il is not to bo In
ferrci that there Is breach of the personal Ica
tionS that have so long bound together thcso two
extraordinary men. Nh Bright was 10 be a guest
al tLe dinner given 30 Mr. Gladstone Tonight. SUI,
m is something stragg, that great Liberal meeting
ehould be held in Birmingham from which Mr;
bright for whatever reason, abSclts himself. ]
need not say that ho Is still loved and honOred by
his constituents But suppose - must bc said that
ihcy have crOWH sInrW bat apart ~ political SYM
paihips and that the Birmingham OF to-day Is more
radical than It's great representative. q. w. =.