The New York herald., 1878-01-17
ENGLAND AND IRELAND.
A SOP TO THE IRISH cERBERus--DIsRAELI's
LATEST PosE-TgE RELEASE OF THE PoLITI-
CAL pRIsoNERs

A SOP TO TIE IRISH cERBERus--DIsRAELI's
LATEST PosE-rIE RELEASE OF THE poLITI-
CAL PRISONERS
DUBLIN, Jan. s, 1878
The news OF the release OF the political prisoners
will have probably reached you even before these
lines are written. II may strange, but II 10
none the less a fact, that IL not known every
where iE Ireland this morning. The Dublin
tive newspapers we're SILENT although would have
expected that they would have hasenod to announce
an act from which tho Disrael governmsnt might cx-
peot TO win somo popu arity. However, there s no
mislnko as to the fact that tho released on
ticketoilcave-lhat is, subject TO tho supervision OF
the police, and liable be recommted TO prison at the
pleasure oil the government
BEACON srigLD's BLUxDER.
What terrible b.unter Beaconsded and hts Min
isiry have made In THIS matterl Some OF these men
have been twevc years enduring oil the horrors OF
penal scrvitude, subjected TO exactly the
anu discipline burglars and scoundrels Of the
deepest dye separated from other anu forced
associate with the other prisoners. Ovor and
again appeals have bcen msde, IN Parliament ind
OF II, Tor their release. But in Much OF the
odium wuch gathered around the Irish adminislra-
ton oil Gladstone owing 10 his obstinate refusal
TO have marcy. Ihe man who SO pi,liessly exposed
the way In which political prisoners
treated In Neapolitap Prisons quarter Of century
ago had no pity ior whose only crime was hav.
Ing loved Ireland 400 we'll" When Disrae camo
into onice In 1874 II was thought he would have been
more yielding Again, in 1916, alter the passing OF
tho "EmpIess oil Indis act. anu al tue beginning Of
1877, similar hopes were entertained. Last summer
strong appeal 10 the government was mado the
House Commons. Even Gladstone joined with
eloquent speech counsehns mercy But the prayer
was reiuscu IN language vi almost UrUtai violence Wy
Mr Hardy, The War secretary, aud the Attorney Cen
era
MISSED MARX.
Now, when no one expected 1t, when no appeal was
be ug urged, when u may he said none beyonu their
immeuiate rienas we're thinking oi the prisoners,
the sudden announcement comes out that they are
tree. IL is OF those surprises III winch Disraeii
takes such pucrJe delight. But tAis time, ut eaAt.
IL missed It's marx. Men here III ireland VIII re-
io,ce sincerely that III ese yicli arc Tree
ut last. But oil gratitude there VIII not DO particle.
No Will be GiOtic enough TO dream that thoso
have been released from any moiive o mercy. II VIII
forward 10 the Likelihood Of becoming entansled IN
the Eastern war. Her rulers wish 10 dmlalsn those
domestic difficulties which, have been Always u drag
on her efficiency. II she has TO 90 IL WIZ
all her powers perhaps even more than the gigan
TIC struggle with Napoleon AZ the beginning OF the
century. lf.
SOP TO cERBERua
Propitiate Fenianism; rou irish dsanecton of its
pet grievance; pose az the bountiu releaser OF tho
captive. Il u clever idea but not likely 10 de-
people quick wted as the IRISH, ready
meet generous opponent, but keen 10 resent sham
Uenedcencc. This release vi the prisoners too
late. II might have been trump card II played even
six mopt as ago. Now II Is woree than useless. IL s
the old story portray cd in the myth OF tue Sybne
books. Man has chances Of good evil vouchsufeh
him But he must seize them when offered; he
caanot command them. lrisnmen generally, wnle
they will regar4 this act nO graceful CONCESSION.
will feel assured that II has been prompted by
This onIy deepen their dtsanecliou and increase
the obstinacy OF their other demands Tho home
rulers have graud opportunity; but there are symp-
toms in aoupdance that they, 700. Wall throw their
chance away
We are, think ON the eve OF a very stormy Pc
riod IN irish political llfe There are Signs that the
homo rule ieauers viii be pretty roughly handled by
the rank and die; and II Is not improbable tho or
ganiZation will break up. CertulnIy the skin aud
temper OF Butt will be tried, and also Will be The
forbearanoe und discipline ol parne and his friends.