Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-03-13
ENGLISH POLITICS.


The sudden announcement by the Gov
eminent of the dissolution of Parliament
has probably not occasioned more than a
momentary surprise, for it was evident
that this step was in contemplation, and
many signs indicated that the time for an
appeal to the country was not likely to be
more favorable. And now both parties
have issued their manifestoes, and the
cards, so to speak, are on the table. AT
first sight it appears that Lord Harrington
holds stronger hand that Lord Beacons-
field, but it by no means follows that the
majority of the English people will think
SO. The present Ministry has sustained
several severe reverses during the last
two years. 1t has gone in with brilliant
and melodramatic programmes, and it has
come out with very different showings
The difference between its promises and
its performances reminds one of the differ
ence between the gorgeously sensational
pictures which announce the ordinary side
show, and the reality of the exhibition.
Lord Beaconsfeld's "Peace with Honor"
in the East, his " scientific frontier" in
Afghanistan, his Zulu war-what have
they resulted in The Treaty of Berlin is
already obsolete. The Eastern question
is more entangled than ever. The respon-
sibilities of England have enormously
increased, while her power has been
diminished and her prestige has been
lowered. In Central Asia war has been
opened, of which no man can foresee
the termination. In India the administra-
ton has been so bad as to threaten
at once famine and instruction. In Ire
land-but it would not be fair to charge
the present condition of Ireland upon the
Beaconsfield administration. That de-
plorable state of affairs has been prepared
by influences which extend far back into
the history of the two countries The
general situation, however, is evidently
serious CROUCH for the Conservatives, and
they viii have to encounter the sharpest
fighting any party has had to face since
the beginning of the century. The Liberals
have very great advantage in the fact
that they have no policy to defend. 1t is
fortunate for them also that they have not
yielded to the temptation to make use of |
the Home Rulers in order to embarrass
the Government, for such matter might !
weaken them greatly at this point. They
have strongly aggressive programme,
and unquestionably they will make the |
most of it. The Government on its side |
has adopted a vague and enigmatie tone
which evinces the characteristic shrewd- !
ness of Lord Beaconsfeld, and which will !
be harder to deal with than more clearly !
defined course He understands the DO
litical value of glittering generalities, and
no man living can make them 60 further.
The Liberals, though aggressive, and |
though armed with SO many weapons. are
by no means sanguine. They have learned |
that the British voter is peculiar crea-
ture, and that he is prone to cling to Tory
views despite the weight of argument that
may be brought against them. And not
the recent ovations bestowed
upon Mr.. Gladstone in his northern tour,
there is deeply grounded apprehension in
some quarters that Mr.. Gladstone suffers
his sentimentality to obscure his patriot
ism, and that he is in danger sometimes
Of sacrificing the position and influence of
bis country to ideas which are neithe