The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-27
ITS FUTURE FORECAST
HOW to Represent a Minority
in Parliament.
"THE REPUBLICAN TAIL
What May Result from the BeaconsfieId
POLICY of Chance"
LONDON, July II, 1879.

We are evidently approaching crisis in political
affairs in England in more respects than one. A
short review therefore, OF things they stand and
their bearing the future may not be unnter-
estns. The first circumstance that strikes in
the political outlook is that Parliamentary proceed
ings almost at deadlock, which is q sign
that the spirit of disintegration is ut work.
First have the government party getting
weary of the turmoil of Parliamentary hfe
and probably longing for the dissolution which
is at hand. Then we have the liberal party
barely hanging together by the horns of expodency,
and lastly, see the Irish home rulers formidable
alike to both sides of the House by the very
vehemence of their convictions-somewhat novelty
in modern Parliamentary life. But of these more
anon. 1t is on tho cards that Parliament may be
dissolved any day. have it on authority that
Wolselcy succeed in speedily putting matters in
Zululand in fair way to an honorable. or should
say satisfactory. settlement may certainly expect
q dissolution of Parliament this autumn.
REASONS FOR GENERAL ELEcrIoN.
There two reasons why such q course should
be adopted The first is that the satisfaction with
which the termination of the lttie war; in South
Africa would be hailed might, the spur of the
ment, result in triumphant majority for the
government at the ballot boxes. The second
reason is that the government would find
before their tempers have been rufled by the mpo-
sitop Of the increased taxes which will be necessary
in order Get the cost Of the Cabinets spirited
foreign policy. There can ne doubt that Beacons-
fields intermeddling in foreign affairs has pleased
very large section Of the British public tho Philis
tine section. whose ideas Of greatness consist in
being able to 'kck up rumpus." and it is equally
an undoubtable fact that this very section will be
the first to and sulk when they have to pay the
piper.
TRUSTING CHANCE.
But suppostng the government determine to post
pone dissolution to the very last moment and trust
to the chapter of accidents they will only aggravate
the Anal settlement. There is evident feeling in
the public mind that it is high time tho present
House abolished ITSELF and gave the constituencies
the opportunity Of recording their confidence in
dissatisfaction with its proceedings. The sovereign
people do not like to feel that their confidence
is abused. and that those whom they put
into power stretch their prerogaive to the utmost.
They like to be taken into confidence. especially
when there is difficult question. for settlement.
like obstruction. for instance, and asked for their
advice and judgments just as though Lord Deacons-
Now there il this matter OF the irreconcilabes;
what would You do with them? depend your
a in that way snd tchp9 th IKE
idea OF vast intelligence. And not few ut
present getting offended at the lack of this
which evidently bOthering the government
whcrcon the public has very strong opinions. ON
this very subject of obstruction" for example,
there those who conceive it to be the height OF
impudencc in the home rulers to carry the tactics
Those Of this opinion belong for the most part to
Mr. Bright's "rcsiduum: that is. to the English
siduunl: The Irish lower orders applaud the policy
of the obstructionists to the echo.
OBSTRUCTION.
Tho moro intelligent portion Of tho electors in
both countries. however. take soberer and moro
reasonable view Of the matter. Those in Ireland
think the power to obsruct might be used moro ju-
an authority than the Dublin Ftreman. tho pro.
priotor Of which. Mr.. Gray. NJ. Pr is of the
stanchest aud most consistent friends of Ireland.
The has just, by the way been made Lord Mayor Of
Dubln.) The more intelligent of the English land
Scotch) CONSTITUENCIES are beginning to lean to tho
opinion Cancellation rather than repression is
the course that ought to be adopted toward them.
There not few. indeed, who in the Govern
sop OF Cancellation But is doubt ul whether they
will be able to put kernel enough into it. Damn
the honors said irreconcilable, tits the money
we want" And there's where the hitch is
UNIVERSITY BILL.
WE'LL this is of the tickish questions the gov
ernmen have to face and they have to meet 1t with
tho recollection that it the rock of Irish uni
versity education that Mr.. Gladstone's governments
foundered. But this. though different question,
is not the most difficult one which looms in the
future. There is no doubt that 1t is around homo
rule that tho political thundc-rcoud which tn reatens
the future is gathering. and there are
undoubed indications that the servativcs would
gladly give its supporters slight concessions
II by so doing they could appease them for q short
time until time should allow thcm to deal q crush
inc blow at their pretensions But should these at.
tempts to please fail to have the desired effect we
shall see TO the knife proclaimed.
THE QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE.
Unmistakabc indications OF this alternative have
already cropped out. Take the incident OF Friday
last The government was distinctly challenged to
Clerk, Sir Erskine May, had had consultations
with another paid official of tho House. presumably
taken for the eonG nil Information Of tee
Speaker with u view to framing upon them Grim
inal indictment against certain mornbers. This
very serious charge, and it Is significant that the
government evaded 1t. had some conversation
the subject with an Irish member in the lobby or
tho House yesterday and he said it perfectly
his mind that the Cabinet. in view of certain
cvcntuaties. were preparing for spring" and
that the in spircd English press WAS working them
up 1t. It is thought that should tho homo rulers
prove irreconcablo the government will 20 to the
country with cry against construction, " and tho
tories congratulating themselves on having at
last found the needed shibboleh A letter In prom
inent type in saturdays Standard reads remarkably
tho subject.
LIBERAL REACTION.
But this course will be iraught with danger in the
present mood of the public mind. There is no doubt
liberal reaction is setting very strongly at least
all visible indications point that way This has been
caused very largely by blur dcrs abroad and the on
forced nc lcct oil domestic gslation neglect only
qualified by various insiuions attempts ut rcac-
onary home policy. And IL has been in regard to
this very rercgradc policy that the evcr viril"nt
home rule party has done It's most signal service Nor
will English liberals be slow to the
they have had tai time Tor consideration. To say
nothing of the Army Discipline bill, with its inevi-
table ''cat," still dragging its slow length along.
can honestly deny That obstructivcs were the
cause of material amendments being made I'm the
Prisons act and that but for obstruction to tho
Mu tiny hill there would have been no Army Dsci-
plne BILL and IL logging has been restricted and
promises ~ bc abolished the thanks due to Irish
home rulers.
HOME
The fact is and there Is blinking the truth.
that home rule is the only strongly vital platform
In the House ut the present moment, a. any un-
preudiced person may see and spite OF the opinions
of perhaps tho majority of English members to the
contrary, IL Is not going to be out yet. 1t IL
bound 10 exercise a vast influence the future of
English politics. There is doubt good deal
to DC said against obstructive tactics, but
there Ia much. l have shown, to DO
said in their favor. 1t must be borne In mind
that the policy was adopted In order to compel at
tenton to DO given to Irish affairs which had been
contemptuously neglected by the government and
TO mako Parliament feel that. though body OF
men bo IN the minority they arc nevertheless, and
with them tho cOnsttuencien they roproaent not to