Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-05-24
Troubled Ireland.

Iuo NeW IOlh HCFuIO has some inter-
esting cable dispatches concerning the
aspect of Irish affairs. They say: Mr..
Parnel's hint of retirement from political
life was very significant. One fact i,
undoubted. We have arrived at the turn
ing point Of the history of Irish agitation
Mr. Healy is spoken of as tho coming
man. Whispers are abroad that the Irish
peasantry consider they have been be
trayed by Mr.. Parnell and that the Land
League is beginning to lack the sinews of
war. They have spent money freely in
furthering their object and now the funds
I are lowering and the evil is almost IN
touched. This is thought 10 have much
to do with the new departure.
A general apathy seems to have crept
over the Irish peasantry. Since the re
lolclngs over the release of the pariamen
Try suspects there has been a remarkable
absence OF crime in the country. Even
ne stringent provisions of the new coercion
bill, as they become better known, do no,
create much excitement 1t will be found.
no doub', as the organ of the land re-
formers this week argues, that the admir-
ers of Mr.. parnell in Ireland believe Mr..
Gladstone to have adopted the programme
of the leader of the Land League in part,
and is only paving the way to adopt it
in its entirety.
Tho atmosphere of the House during the
past few days has been charged with ru-
mors of startling nature anent the new
relations between the Parnellite members
and the government. According to the
rumor-mongers the compact of Kimain-
ham was to be no unsubstant Ill treaty so
far as the home rule members arc concern
ed. Some newspapers went so far as to
Indicate the .eilices to be given as solid
peace offerings to the followers of Parnell.
The existence of any such corrupt ar
rangement is strenulously repudated by
the home rulers. Mr.. Parnell's new
attitude toward the government has caused
considerable dissatisfaction among the
younger members of the party who desire
to harrass the government under all cir.
cumstances.
The repression act is of the most dras-
tic character. If passed in anything like
the present shape it will render public
and political action in Ireland impossible
unless where men are 10 accord with the
government. Mr.. Parnell hopes that by
keeping the Honso in a good temper and
allowing the unhappy impression produced
by the Phoenix Park murders 10 fade out
OF the public mind, to secure such impOr-
ant changes in the new coercion bill! as
will minimize its despoiic character, so far
as 1t is designed. to hamper political action.
His conclllatorY attitude in the House i.
said by his intimate friends to be dictated
by this motive. 1t has, however, produced
signs OF INSTRUMENTATION among younger
members of the party. There has been
good deal of mysterious head shaking
and Sfumbling, accompanied by some
| thing like depression among the Younger
men, but all important men, like Justin
mccarthy, Sexton, Biggar and O'Connor
are steadfast in their support and approval
of Mr.. Parnell's action and attitude
The Irish leader is said to feel very
deeply the private campaign which is
carried on against him. lie has some
persistent enemies in the party, and, it is
rumored. more than one rival whose
manmnvres are u constant source OF
annoyance. His every act and word is
criticised in hostile and unnencrous
spirit, at the same time that he is harass
cd by the bitter jeslousies and division.
among the secondary leaders. lp to the
present the quarrcls and chickering's of the
home rulers have been kept well within
the family circle, but unless the present
dissatisfaction can DO allayed without q
serious break up, the public is likely tc
get a peep behind the scenes which could
not fail 10 be interesting and instructive
There is good reason for believing thai
Mr.. Parnell is depressed. even disguised
with the way he has been treated and i,
seriously considering whether tho time
has not come when he should give up the
position as leader of the Irish party, and
re'lre from the care and turmoil of polite,
into private life Should Mr.. Parne
de lido to retire the Irish party woulc
ase 10 be the great national power i
now IS, because, though there are some
aspirants to the succession, there is NJ
o her man behind whom tho countr,
would rally, none whom the secondary
leaders will consent to follow. The Irisi
rty may, therefore, be regarded AS pass
ing through an acute crisis, with grea
danger of breaking up in consequence o
the over. zeal of the rreconcIable element