Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-14

In all the years OF its mistaken policy towards
Ireland England has never committed graver
blunder than was made when Mr.. Parnel1 was ar
rested. It is another evidence of the utter inca
pacity Of the English 70 understand or appreciate
the Irish character. The professions OF fairness
and business in the administration of the land law
on the part OF the government had viSibly weak
ened the land agitation Many who were ready 10
make every sacrifice in support or the prlncl-
pies of land freedom have signified a willingness
TO give the land law q fair trial. Archbishop
Croke, for instance hearkening to the earnest pro-
teStatiOnS OF the government that it honestly had
the interest of the industrial classes OF Ireland at
heart, advised a cessation OF agitation. He wanted
to meet the government half way, at least, and to
afford it every opportunity for the enforcement OF
Its policy. The arrest of Mr.. Parnell, not for any
overt act committed, or any seditOuS language
used, but on the suspicion that he might indulge
In such language at Kildare, Will destroy the inru
ence OF the supporters of the land law IL 1t does
not drive them into the ranks OF the agitatOrs. 1t
will intensity the feeling OF Irish nationality and
unite the Irish people, as they have not been
united since the introduction OF the land act In
Parliament. The Irish leaders who have cOun-
SEIZED patience and moderation will, perhaps, be
compelled to admit that nothing in the way OF
justice to Ireland can be expected, unless it be
wrung from the British government Another
ugly feature OF this act is that it has the appear
ance OF a piece Of personal spite on the part OF
Gladstone. He recently, in a public speech, de-
nOunced Parnell; the latter retorted in kind, and
within a few days afterwards Parnell Is imprfs-
oned, not for what he has done, but for what he
might do or say. The once powerful intellect OF
Gladstone Is certainly becoming enfeebled by age
when it does not guard him against the commits
sion of such a blunder. The arrest of Parner, no
doubt, Is the fOrerunner OF system OF vigorous re-
preston against Ireland The English people are
making the same mistake they have often made,
fhaT tnfn
sion by force.
It is not likely that the extreme members Of
either political party will be exactly satisfied with
the election OF Mr.. Davis as president pro tenn
pore of the Senate. The members Of that body as
q body have abundant reason, however, to be con-
tent with the result, since IL Is insured presiding
officer OF capacity and undOubted 1mpardality.
But beyond this, the country at large Is to be con-
graduated. Should that extreme contingency
arise which this action was intended to finally
meet, the nation has guarantee in the high char
acter, the great ability and the pure patriotism of
Mr. Davis that the presidential office would be ad-
ministered in no narrow or partisan spirit, but
with an eye single TO the good of the people and
the perpetuity OF our institutions In many re-
speets ii is doubtful whether the Senate could have
done better than it did, In the election of Mr..
Davis, if, indeed, it could have done so well
IL Is the uncharitable opinion OF the Chicago
Times that If Guiteau had from s. 0C0 TO $4,000
fund to invest in retaining fees, he would have
no trouble In procuring the services OF OF the
most noted criminal lawyers in the country TO UNI
der-ake his defence. This may be true; but We
cannot but believe that it does injustice to the legal
profession Quite aside from the money view of
the case, it is not likely that any lawyer Of charac
Ter would care to be engaged in 1t. The crime OF
the miserable wretch was so abhorrent and so APP
parent that his defence affords no decent ground
for lawyer to stand upon Some cases yield
money, some honor, and yet others afford pleasure
In the conducting OF them, but Guiteaus promises
neither is hard to see therefore, how any lawyer
not connected with him by some unusual tie should
care TO have anything TO do with it