New-York tribune., 1881-09-12

ouences ought to he punished. Those of them who
nave not violated a particular law agents of a
Vast conspiracy for setting law itself at defiance.
Mr. Parnell describes them as "the flower of their
country. brave spirits who have the respect of all
VINO know them," lying in Gladstonian jails I'M
accused and untred." Davitt. ais, has been sent
back to his penal cel and it will be for the Irish
Oh North Durham " to say whet supporter of
his Jailors is to be returned to represent
you, or whether You will reject with scorn
the ally of pricst-hunters and coerconis, T. {"
In the heat of his anger Mr.. Parnel does not stop
to remark that the Conservative candidate is Just as
much the ally of priest hunters (whoever thoy
may be- and Coerci nists the Liberal candidate
and more 1t was the stock criticism of the Con-
servatives last year and this upon the Liberals that
they allowed the previous Coercion Act, which the
Conservatives had passed, TO expire. 1t was only
by Conservative aid that the Liberal Government
were able TO pass the present Act. But that does
not matter To Mr.. Parnel Had the Conservatives
continued in Office" SAYS he cit wonld hayo
been Impossible to pass coercion for that hypocrifi-
cal Liberalism which is prepared to back lid the
present Ministry in any evil deed against our coun-
try would have supported ns in resisting the dis
graceful legislation which has placed the liberty of
the worthiest Irishman al the mercy of the meanest
constable" Mr.. Parnell, you perceive very angry
and there is in bis something OF that flavor of
speech common 70 men who perceive that they are
fighting losing battle, and there is something of
dependency, as well as OF mixed metaphor in the
lyrical outburst with which the epistle concludes:
" 10 the polls, then men of Irish blood; strike down
the banner OF Whiggery, and close the mouths of
those who have defined The Irish name at home and
abroad Remember Dillon; remember Sheehy; re-
member Davitt."
This address is long one. but long as it is
thee is not, rom BEGINNING to end, an allusou
to the Land Act. For Mr.. Parnen the Par
liamcn'ary history Of the session begins and ends
with the Coercion Act. His silence is significant
enough of the reception be means the Land Act shall
have in Ireland itself, but it is significant of much
more than that. The better the Land Act is. the
more benefcent TO the tenantfaTmer il is the worse
1t is in Mr. ParnciPs view 1t is to be forgotten
that, with Mr. Parnell agitation for land reform is
only means Of agitation Tor Irish independence.
His dread and fear IS that the tenant-farme- will
accept tic Land Act subs antial measure and
that the Land League will 20 to pieces ror want of
grievance. lie hates the Coercion Act Lecause the
Coercion Act struck at the la yless domination of
the League. He hates the Land Act still more be-
cause the Land Act removes The grievance
which supplied the Lcague with plausible pretext
Tor Its existence. He hates the Liberal leader
aud Liberal party because he sees in their policy a
means of attaching Ireland Loyalty to England and
his one idea is to detach Ireland from England The
whole of Mr.. Parnells Irish policy may be stated in
n sentence. He does not hate EnClsh rule over Ire
land because it is unjust but because it is English
And English rule over Ireland to-day is not unjust
1t is, one might almost say too just too anxousy
eager TO rereSs wrongs real or imaginary too toll
eraGt of lawlcsSness too ready for concession to
prejudice and selishness above ALL too little mind
full of the one maxim which holds every political
community tOgether-that the first business of gov
ernment ls 10 govern. q. W. 8.