New-York tribune., 1880-04-03
RE4C0N NSEIELnS DEFEAT.


There now seems to be no doubt of the ap-
preaching downfall of the Bcaconsfeld Min
stry. The special dispatch which will be
found On another page derives additional sig
nifcance from the fact that it does not come
from the regular London correspondent Of
THE tribune but from a high Conservative
source, and one exceedingly we'll informed. 1t
is therefore a candid confession of defeat re-
ceivcd directly from the supporters of the Bea-
consfield Administration. The fact that Lord
harrington discusses in q public speech the
policy to be pursued in selecting the head of
the Liberal Cabinet, should one be formed at
once, is additional proof that the result is now
believed to be definitely foTeshadowed.
The conclusion that the Ministry has been
defeated must be drawn from the drift of the
current and not from the actual number of
changes already made. The Liberals have
made unexpected gains in the English bOrOughs
and cities, but the counties are strODghOlds OF
Conservatism. 1t is true that the Liberals have
attacked the Conservatives with unwOnted
vigOr in the counties where the last battle was
lost, and at the same time have besieged every
borough where they could make any show OF
fighting. OF the 652 members of a full Parl;2-
ment, $50 are elected by cities and boroushs,
2S3 by counties and 8 by universities. When
the cities and boroughs are evenly divided be-
tween the great parties, as is sometimes the
case, the vote of the counties, if held together,
will give one or the other working majority.
The result of this spirited canvass--One which
revves the memories of the Reform struggles
midway in the century--cannot be announced
with dafinteness until the counties have voted.
I,,t t1o Oe q
that the result is generally conceded.
The first days elections returned about one
fifth of the Commons. There was polling yes
terday in &c constituencies, with nominations in
4S The work of the two days yields returns
from barely more than a third of the constitu-
encies. The decisive changes witnessed in
many instances, however, leave the COnserva-
tives without hope. Mr.. Gladstonc's over
| whelming majority in Leeds, which was repre-
scnted in the last Parliament by two Conserva-
tives and one Liberal rot Onl proves the
strength of the popular feeling in favor of the
Liberal party, but demonstrates also the uni
versal nature of his personal popularity. The
enthusiasm of Midlothian was evidently not
local tribute.
With few exceptions, the elections already
held have been in England, ard the Liberals
have made gains principally in the North and
East They have counted with extreme conf
dence upon winning from seven TO ten seats in
Scotland, and should they do nothing more
than hold their own ground in Ireland, their
opponents arc certain to lose at least seven
seats in the North and several in the South. In
Ireland, however, there are indications that
extreme Nationalists or Home Rulers have not
been put forward in so many cases as twas sup
posed and that Home Rulers Of Liberal sym
pathies will be returned in many places. This,
ofcourse strengthens the Liberal prospects. All
the signs therefore indicate an Opposition ma
jority, of which the Home Rulers will folm an
independent element. Then it will be safe to
count upon what Mr.. Punch with fine irony Ge-
scribes as a spirited home policy"