New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-13
PERIL FOR TIE BRITISH LION

The future is gloomy for the British lion.
That "accursed animal, with gore-stalned
Whskers," is standing Oh the ragged edge OF a
crisis OF which he is undoubtedly unconscious.
His fate hangs upon the reelection OF the
Hon. William L. Robinson to Congress. Ii
the voters of the lid Congressional District
in Brooklyn, who, for some inscrutable reason,
sent Mr.. Robinson to Congress two years ago,
decide to return him this year, it is all up with
the British lion. Robinson himself has said It,
lie vas honored with IA reception by some Irish
admirers in this city the other evening, and edi-
fled them with modest biographical sketch of
his brilliant public career He showed to his
own satisfaction and that of his hearers that
he had accomplished wonderful things for
Irish American citizens who were rottinS III
British dungeons, and that rldlculc had only
stimulated him in his labOrs. Once in mo-
ment of weakness he confessed, with becom-
ing humiliation, that he had faltered. Friends
had come to him, saying For heavens sake,
" Robinson, keep quiet about Ireland, and well
" elect and reelect you all your life If you like"
and he had yielded, and did hold his peace for
q time But when Minister Lowell began to
write letters to Dear Granville" he broke
loose and showed what was in him.
From that time on the British lion
had warm time of II. | have been
accused said the valiant Robinson III
conclusion, with trying to twist the tail OF
the British lion. wish to give notice to the
newspapers which have made this charge that
Il Wi wiring his neck when | go back
This threat was made several days ago, and
yet the British public goes on rejoicing over the
victory in Egypt as if 1t had not heard 1t at all,
AS it probably has not. No news-g atherer
would have the heart to send an item like that
over the cable-to obscure the sunshine OF pres
ent triumph with so black cloud of impend-
ing disaster Besides, lie would hope that the
calamity might be ayerted. Robinson tells us
that he did restrain himself once though no.
body has ever suspected lt-and he may DO 1t
again. Furthermore, his constituents may take
a notion that it will perhaps be just as well for
them to be represented i'll Congress by self
respecting man as by Il simulated lunatlc, and
may leave MIR. Robinson at home. In either of
those events the British lion would escape, or
at least have a respite. Word should be sent
to Minister Lowell, cautOnng him about the
style Of his correspondence with Lord Gran
vile. He has shaken Oft RobinsOn's grip on
himself once and may do it again. If he were
to begin his next letter to Lord Granville, as
Bob AcreS did his challenge, with Plain Sir"
were to work into it personal insult to the
Queen and a contemptuous reference to the
whole British Nation. all might yet be well.
Robinson would certainly be pleased, and we
are not sure but that The World newspaper
would nominate Mr.. Lowell Tor the Presidency.
No effort should be spared to soothe Robinson
and avert frghtful struggle.
OF Robnson's ability to wiring the neck of the
lion if he once gets grip upon it there is un-
happily not the slightest doubt. lie swung
the entire animal around his head several times
during the last session. as easily as the average
man could swing cat, and when he shifts
his grip from the tail to the throat there can
be- but one result. Still, let us hope for the
best. There are three ways in which the
slaughter may be avoided: Robinson may
not be reelected; he may be reelected and may
restrain himself the lion may take the alarm
and run away. We await the outcome hope
fully but with much sOlicitude.