New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-11
4 TOUCH or SYMPATHY.


TOUCH or SYMPATHY.
A distinguished Irish peer, who votes with
the Conservative side, was quoted not long ago
"a saving that if the island could be governed
for only few years with three things-ius-
tee firmness and sympathetic might be
made the most easily governed OF her
Majesty's dominions." We think it Will be
generally admitted that in the present crisis the
English people have displayed these three
qualities. They have been just when they were
sorely tempted to be unjust. They have as
cribed the assassnatiOns to Fenian desperadoes
and have acquitted the Land League leaders OF
either completely in or sympathy for the execra-
bic crime of numbering friend who was bear
ing a message of reconciliation and peace. AT
the same time they have been firm. They have
not needed the evil promptings of the old-time
leading journal Without losing their self
possession in an hour of intense excitement,
and without evincing any traces of passionate
resentment, they have acted with admirable
self-restraint, following their sober second
thoughts rather than their first impulses.
While they discern in the assassinations the
possible consequences of systematic lawDrcak-
ing inculcatcd as patriotic duty, they do not
fall into a panic and demand stern measures OF
repression and martial law. The Premier
seems to understand the popular mood when he
proposes a strong but discriminating Act for
preventing further miscarriage OF justice.
While he is firm, he il also sympathetic. lie
sends word to the Mayor of Cork that it is his
firm belief " that Ireland throughout her length
sand breadth will demonstrate how far she is
" from the slightest touch of moral completely
q in so black a deed" That is a flash of APP
probation which implies intelligent sympathy,
and it will be CLEAN of light and hope
throughout the benghted island In this re-
spect we believe that he correctly represents
English sentiment. The sincerity OF the eX-
pressions of adherence which have been
evoked in all quarters of the island has not
been questioned. For once, Ireland has not
been misunderstood in England. Her real att
tude has been discerned with keen and sympa-
thetic insight. That is great gain
In an admirable preface to his recent volume
of Essays, Mr. Matthew Arnold contends that
IN order to attach Ireland to them sOlidly. " the
English people have not only to do something
= different from what they have done hitherto,
q they have also to be something different from
swhat they have been hitherto" AS
"whole," he adds, they have to acquire a
@larger and sweeter temper larger and more
slucid mind This "beng something differ
ent.n which he considers essential to the perma-
nent reconciliation Of the two countries,
implies sympathy rather than justice and firm
ness The reform measures which have been
PASSED during the last twelve years have
proved that the desire to deal unjustly with
- nj % N III
party and the Coercion Acts have been we'll
intended but badly calculated efforts to govern
the island with firmness. What has been lack
ing is sympathy. Even warm-hearted John
Bright has found it hard to keep his temper iii
discussing Irish grievances, and Mr.. Gladstone
himself. although abOring with unwearied
patience, has sometimes underrated the pre-
vailing forces of opinion in the island. AS Tor
the main body of the English people, they have
persistently misunderstood the prejudlces
caprices, prepOssessions and pcculiaritles OF
temper which are united i'll the Irish character.
1t is not enough that the treatment should be
well meant and its processes iDgeniously de
vised and carefully thought out 1t should be
svmpathetic treatment.
The converse of this proposition is also true.
Irishmen have misunderstood Englishmen.
They have not appreciated the prejudlces
which have been overcome, the efforts which
have been made by the dominant country.
They have not followed with sympathetic in
terest the labors of the Liberal leaders in their
behalf They have shown logged persistence
in promoting hostility between the two nations.
They have justified, i'll fact, Mr.. Matthew
Arnolds conclusion that there Is nothing III
English civilization that is cOngenial 10 them.
They have Rugged their decisions just as the
English have Rugged theirs. They have salc {:
I'VE cannot get justice at Westminster be-
"cause our peculiar grievances are never UNI
"derstoodw and the reply has been made !:
" You will never be satisfied because you can
@not understand our way of helping YOU" The
lack of sympathy has impaired each country S
Judgment of the others motives, susceptibllties
and conduct The appalling catastrophe OF
Phoenix Park will not be without its uses if it
opens the eyes of each to the others difficulties.
Illusions may have been shattered. The pres
sure of excitement, the suddenness of the crisis
and the peculiar plight i'll which the Liberal
leaders and the land agtatOrs found them
selves. may have created the basis OF better
understanding. The crisis may have evolved
an illuminating flash of mutual appreciation,
so that on each side there may be acquired a
larger and sweeter temper, a larger and more
lucid mind"
ONE OF JUDGE WESTBROOK'S RECEITERS.
a. e l. L, G.. l..