The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-06-11
IRISH AFFAIRS I'M PARLIAMENT.

The interest in Irish affairs now centres
in the house of commons, where the re-
preston bill is under discussion with no
immediate prospect of reaching final deci-
sion. Mr. Gladstone and his colleagues
are urging it as vigorously as circumstances
permit. yet it is evident their hearts are
not in the work, and that the measure is
pressed from sheer necessity and not from
inclination. In other words, the ministry
would if they could avoid a return to
those legislative agencies which may in
timidate but never pacifv, and which,
however successful on the surface, invari
ably aggravate the more desperate evils
beneath, But the peculiar situation leaves
no choice in the matter As the original
land act could not have been passed unless
preceded by the coercion act, so the ar
rears- trent bill would surely fail unless
accompanied by the repression bill 1t
might, and we believe would, have been
otherwise but for the natural, and quite
excusable feeling produced by the Dublin
assassinations. That feeling must be rec
ognized, and to certain extent gratifed,
else the bin designed to relieve at least
hundred thousand Irish tenants from the
horrors of eviction, and make the land act
what If was intended to be, is assured of
defeat in advance. At first sight nothing
would seem easier, in the present temper
of parliament and the country, than the
prompt passage of the repression bill by
an overwhelming majority. Yet it is not
only dragging slowly and heavily Through
the various stages of the debate, but there
are indications that the majority in its ia
vor at the final vote will be considerably
smaller than was anticipated. The Irish
members, led by Mr.. Parnell. while aban-
doning the policy of obstruction and con-
fning their opposition within strictly lie
ultimate limits, are delaying decisive ac-
ton by offering amendments based upon
what they hold to be the mischievons tea
ture of the bill; and ON one OF these amend
ments were reinforced by nearly fifty lib
erals This shows lack of unanimity In
the dominant party as unexpected as sig
nifcanI, and those most competent to form
an intelligent opinion predict that if the
bill in its present shape passes at all, it viii
be by so narrow margin that its enforce
ment is likely to be lame and inefficient
These prophets remind US that in 1888 the
administration of Earl Gray passed some
what similar bill under somewhat similar
popular pressure, and that the military
courts authorized by it never convened.
While Mr.. Gladstone has to deal as
best he may with the wing of his party
opposed to the bill as it now
stands, he must satisfy, if he can, the wing
that goes to the other extreme. These
Moderate Liberals" as they call them
selves. express their sentiments through |
Lord Craoourne in the last number of the
Nineteenth Century, who says, ia substance,
that the policy of cancellation and conces
sion is delusion and a snare, and that I'M
less the government sets it aside altogether, |
or neutralizes it by the most stringent re
pressive legislation, such lesding Liberals
~. Il
writer may consider it their duty to dis |
solve partnership and join the Conserva7
tives, Goodwin Smith, heretofore an ultra |
liberal, almost a republican indeed, has q
savage article in the Contemporary Reoieao--
written before the assassinations-whieh |
declares Ireland practically in open rebel i
lion, and to be treated accordingly: in |
short, recommends remedies for Irish |
troubles not essentially different from those |
employed by Cromwell,
Here. then, we see Mr.. Gladstone In the
midst of what may be termed a triangular |
fight; with the conservatives, who are |
solid against him; with the moderate iiber
ais, who want no more Cancellation or /
and with the radical liberals, +
who want to dilute the repression bill with |
The precise character of the
outcome cannot now be guessed: but If the
prime minister succeeds in keeping his
party together, passing a repression bill |.
that will repress, and an arrears-of-rent I
bill that will save the impeeunious tenant,
the crown of consumate craftsmanship will t
be awarded him by acclamation. So many
and great however. are the difficulties which
beset him. that. IN our opinion, The only /
thing that has tided him over them thus
far is the lack of leadership on the part of
the Conservatives. Were Beaconsfield
alive and in the house of commons, the.
chances are that the Gladstone ministry /
would be down and out within q fortnight
But Salisbury and Northcote are miserable
substitutes for their dead chief, and con-
tent themselves with saving much and do
ing little. Under their direction-if direc-
ton it can be called-the party is drifting
awkwardly in the current of events; con-
the Liberals for mismanaging the
Irish business, yet unwilling toassume that
business themselves. and secretly glad the
Liberals are saddled with it. II Gladstone
is beaten and compelled to give up the
helm, it will be by detection in his own
party. and not by the energy and skill of
the opposition. He is sailing THROUGH
stormy seas and if he arrives safe in port
Il win be 1ittls less than miracle. = .hissozri
Republican.