New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-06
TRANSITIONS OF ENGLISH POLITICS.

TRANSITIONS OF ENGLloH i.OLfAiOp
The transitions of English politics are seldom
as startling as they have been this year. The
position OF the Liberal Ministry at the Easter
recess was critical Ireland was still in state
of agraran revolt the Coercion Act nad
failed the Land Act seemed to be breaking
down legislation was hOpelessly in arrears
the Wings were Disconnected; the majority
which bad been compact and tolerably homo-
geneous was crumbling away; and an. unstaole'
drifting diplomacy in Egypt was carrying
the country nobody knew whittier. The Tor
tunes of the Ministry were apparently decl1n-
ing. 1t had failed in everything 1t had
undertaken and when its Irish policy was
suddenly reversed and Mr.. Parnelrs release
and the promise of i'm Arrears bill were fol-
lowed by the assassinations in Dublin, It's
political influence seemed to be shattered ana
its downfall close at hand. few months have
passed, and the Ministry is more firmly In
trenched in power than it hos been st any Time
since the general elections. There mas been
material Improvement in the condition Oh
Ireland. Murderers are getting their deserts;
the new Coercion Act is exercising a salutary in
fuence: the Arrears bill is a concession which
is generally understood; the restraints OF law
are felt, and the island is governed with hrn-
ness and courage. Jimorous diplomacy mas
given place to resolute action in Egypt, and
successful campaign has enabled the most
peaceabe of Cabinets to evince high state OF
efficiency in the army and the fleet. The
political influence of Lord Beaconsfeld's as
sailants has been completely reestabllshed
by foreign war so rapidly planned and brill
iantly executed as to have something OF the
effect of his theatrical diplomacy.
On the other hand, the Opposition, which
only few months ago was making secret
preparations for a dissolution and attack
ing the Premier with the maleVolence OF
partisan hate, is now utterly demoralized.
One of its leaders has suffered an ignomnlous
defeat in the House OF Lords, while the other
is at his wits end for a rallying cry Therewith
to revive the dropping spirits OF his followers
Sir Stafford Northcote was the easy-gOing
Chancellor of the Exchequer, who was never
at loss to justify Lord Beaconsfeld's military
adventures in any quarter OF the world.
Every campaign was necessary, and every
diplomatic exDedient was justifable, and the
only course open to the Commons was the
amiable duty of granting supplies and votes
of credit whenever they were asked, and of
registering the DEGREES of the Cabinet. But
curously enough, Sir Stafford Northcote now
talks like the Opposition leaders of that day
He says that the Egyptian war was neither
necessary nor justifable and might easily have
been aveTted if the Government had made
good use of its opportunities. This was the
argument used by the Liberal leaders in
reference to the Afghan war, and was never
answered. But that was
of which the English people were
weary before it was fairly begun, whereas in
terventiOn in Egypt has been sustained from
the outset by the deliberate judgment of the
country. The argument is thus repeated with
greatly diminished force. Indeed, it would
not have been used ut all If the present
Opposition had not been in most desperate
plight.
Mark how completely the political conditions
have been reversed. The Liberal Government
has been reinvigorated by diplomatic and
IN litary successes which bear some re-
semblance to the foreign policy of Lord
Beaconsfeld-a policy denounced by its own
leaders and condemned by the constituencies
two years ago. Thele are important dstnc-
tons to be observed, for Mr. Gladstone is not
to be tainted with meddlesomeness, false
pretences and Jingosm in his diplomatic
policy yet it cannot be denied that his
foreign campaign has been of inestimable
vaue to him in political sense. On the other
hand the party which defended the lingo
wars is now forced to repeat the Liberal tactics
and to attempt to break the force of a success
full campaign with the plea chat it was neither
necessary nor justifable-a plea that it is as
specious now as it was well-fOunded then.