New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-08
ERrLTS or ASSASSINATION.


verses political conditions, impairs and re-
stores regulations, makes ana mars opportum-
ties The Premier perhaps, will suffer most
heavily from the loul CRIME in Dublin Tenn
porarily his hands will be strengthened, for
the impulse to support the Government in an
alarming crisis has already carried the Oppo-
SitiOn above the levels of partisdnshlp and
concentrated the sentiment Of The Liberal
party. But even ii tins glaring outrage be
accounted FcniIn plot for which the Land
Lcagucrs are in no wise responsible and II
the day Of reckoning with the Ministry be de-
fcrrcd for season, he will have an
intuitivc feeling that public confidence III
him has been seriously impaired There
have been various sbiftings of his Irish
policy, and now there must be another of
some sort if he is to remain in office. lie
had suddenly swervcd from the repressiye
methods pursued during a twelycmonth, and
had thrown himself upon the mercy of organ
lied law-breakcrs and these mangled and
bleeding bodies are the peace-oiierng with
which his advances are met. The inevitable
criticism will be that lcnicncy was fatal
mistake, that he has miscalculltei the ten
denotes of lawlessness, and lacked courage
where means had been provided for vigorous
administration. Such criticism implies
loss of prestige with the nation That loss
will bc shared by his colleagues. The most
interesting figure in the Ministerial group is
Lord Harrington. lie it was who
gave to Mr. Cladsoncs new policy
of concession vital support, and now his
own brother lies wcltcrinG in blood. Whether
he falters now, or his loyalty to his chief is
proof against this extreme test, he will COM
nand the profound sympathy OF the English
people. Mr. Forster profits materially 10y the
sudden rcyu,son OF feeling which has been
caused. Last week his colleagues separated
themselves from him and the Liberal benches
received his explanations with cold ind'llrr-
cncc To-day he stands yindicaed with his
reputation for political slgacity fully retrieved.
Finally Mr.. PIncll, whether mcrowncd king
or fully-apprcnticcd OConnoll, already rues
the day which maTcd, possibly chAccd, ms
golden opportunity Of debating terms to an
English Ministry.
These considerations are strictly personal.
The political aspects are even more significant.
Assassination leaves is impress, not only on
the regulations of leaders, but on the for
tunes of parties. Liberalism has sustained
great shock The effects will be ar;iuclally
concealed while the present crisis lasts, but
eventually new lines Of cleavage in that COM
po~ite organization will be Laid bare. j. may
be that we exaggcratc the consequences 0l "a To-
WI sion Of popular feeling against the party
now in power, but il seems TO lis Il matter OF
the deepest concern that the English people
should bc prciuliccd. even temporarily, against
the great political organization which p0,scsSc,
the WALKING elements of modern progress
and national regeneration. With al ii, sources
of inherent weakness, it is the party which
has set up the landmarks separating the mid
dle-class ENGLAND of to-day from the Old
England of caste and prejudice. If it has i'm
paired its efficiency and forfeited public conf
dence by taking too sanguine view Ct the
better traits of Irish character and 10y incur
ring the risk Of the present catastrophe it Is
q national misfortune. The Opposition, if
ii ultimately returns to power, viii have no
creative energies no impulses swaying power
fully in new directions. The lees of the old
wine Of Torysm will lie offered rs Il libati0n
to the party gols-Pryilege and Precedent.
As for the Irish party, what hope Is there that
its leaders will profit by sober reflections upon
this dasarlly outraged They have never
evinccd any adequate sense Of personal re-
sponsblitv for the lawlessncss and demOral-
zation prevailing in their country. They have
already discamed any knowledge or SYM
pathy with so Ill-timed Fenian plot, but we
doubt if these barbarOus murders will make
them any the less inscnsblc to the dangerous
tendencies of systematic law-brcaling They
will probably gain neither knowledge, prudence
nor foresight and they are likely 10 lose the
precious opportunity of lcaguing themselves
with the English Liberals in remedial legisla-
ton for their boOd-staincd, distracted cOun-
try
So true is it that political assassination is an
accurscd thing that bliyhts the future of any
land and every race. II demoralizos pablo
sentiment. It chis the generous heart and
clouds the lucid intelligence of craftsmanship.
II infuriatcs even a sobcr-mindcd people. 1t
closes eye and ear to just grievances. 1t
disorganizes political action. L sets the
face of the civilized world sterily against
the wrongs and sulierings of an unhappy
race. whitening curse to Ireland, it Is
a blistcring disgrace TO the country which
has governed her for many centuries with
out succeeding, by fair means or foul in new
ways on old, by storm and stress or by brides
and promises, in concilat.ng the conquered race.
1t looms up to-day before the startled eyes of
mankind an ugiy, poricntous fact, and its
shadow stretches far back in English history
over the reaches Oi a gloomy and sterile past.
4 C4SE FOR PROUPT action.
The bill now pending in both HOUSES Of Cen
,-r..s for the e.tal -lnteut of a t.ft,.I az Co.,