The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-11-12
Is Gladstone a Convert to Home Rule

prised that the Dublin Freemdn's journal
and other Irish newspapers should consider
that the cause OF local self-government has
been notably advanced by that significant
uttcrance For what the British Premier in
effect said was this: II am convinced that
ireland ought to have larger powers OF self
government than she now possesses, but
any measure I may now bring forward TO
that end is certain to encounter obstruc-
ton from the Conservatives on the pretext
that I am impairing the integrity OF tie
United Kingdom. That obstruction cannot
be overcome without tho closure regulation
which am now seeking to introduce, and l
advise Irish patriots to favor rule OF pro-
cedure which will work to their advantage"
To appreciate the import OF this speech, 1t is
sufficient to recall the fact that only two and
half years ago, during the canvass which
preceded the last general election, almost oil
the prominent members Of the Liberal party
far from consenting to the modest pledge
proposed by the Homo Rulers, proclaimed
that, 50 far as their votes went, they would
not permit the question of home rule for
Ireland to be SO much as mooted III the House
of Commons.
Now, II such an announcement OF CONVEX
sion to once repudlated doctrine had been
made under the same circumstances by an
ordinary politician, 1t would have been re-
garded simply as the proffcr of bride, and
might not unreasonably have been suspected
as trap. But, whatever may be the faults
OF Mr.. GLADsToNE's judgment or temper. he
has never been accused Of conscious du-
plicity or premeditated troachery. IT, in re-
turn for a pledge distinctly implied in words
spoken in the House Of Commons. the Par
nellite members should have seen 1T to
aid him to attain an object Which he mani
testify has at heart, we do not doubt that
the Premier would have 30 far fulfilled
his promise as to bring in bill materially
improving the system of Irish admins
tration. Nor do we believe that there is any
justification for the sneers of the Conserva-
tives who insinuate that Mr.. GLADsToNE's
conversion to home rule would never have
taken place but for the critical position sof
the closure resolution. On the contrary, we
think it probable that he will put forward
measure for the reform OF local government
in Ireland notwithstanding the Parnellite
members have reversed the action taken on
the GIBSON amendment and voted for Sir
STAFFORD NoRrHCoTEs motion to reject the
plopoScd luuONoUlOu III plO-
ccdure.
1t seems more consonant with all the facts
to suppose that Mr.. GLADsToNR's opinions on
the subject Of local self-government were
formed some time ago, and that they were
made known to Mr.. PARNELL, who,
however, has found it difficult to con-
troll his followers without some tangi-
bic assurance, such as public and
explicit declaration from the Premier's
own lips. We should remember that, at a
caucus Of the Irish party just before the d.
vision on the GIBSON amendment, Mr.. PAR
NELL could influence only one-half Of the
members, and his own vote was required to
bring about the decision to support the Gov
eminent. Since that rebellious demonstra-
ton the Parnellite members have shown
themselves even more recalcitrant to the
guidance II their nominal leader touching
the closure question. 1t may have been
limited to Mr.. GLADSTONE, or the Premier
may have spontaneously recognized that in
justice to Mr.. PARNELL, some unequivocal
announcement OF the Governments inten-
lions was Indispensable. And after all, the
assurance which Mr.. GLADSTONE has just
given Of his deep personal interest in the
cause Of Irish self-government is but the log
ical confirmation and application Of the
friendly views expressed some months ago
when he called upon the Irish leaders to sug-
gest some practicable scheme and caused it
to be clearly understood that such aprojcct
would receive his earnest consideration.
In the interval which has elapsed since
that species Of invitation was addressed to the
Home Rule party, Mr.. PARNELL seems to
have formulated perfectly feasible pro-
gramme OF administrative reforms. which,
while Of course it does not satisfy at one
stroke all the Irish aspirations for indepen-
dence-and what sane friend of Ireland eX-
poets to gain everything at once would, if
adopted, PROFESSIONALLY constitute an i'm
mense improvement on the present regime.
The main features of this provisional plan
are, we understand, the abolition of the Vice
regal Government, and tho substitution for
the Grand Jurics (Which now monopolize the
county administration OF local Boards elect
ed by the mass Of the Irish people. These
propositions are 50 reasonable that to an
American they seem actually unassaiable;
for why, 1t may be asked, should 1rishmen
be subject to the incubus Of an alien Viceroy
when Scotchmen are free from it Indeed,
there are more plausible prctexts for the di-
rect ntcrposition Of the British Govern
ment in the Scotch administration, seeing
that such centrifugal forces as sep
aratc Established Church and dis
tinct law system have, from the date
OF the union, existed in Scotland. As for the
extraordinary powers exercised by Irish
Grand Jurics, they would not for moment
be tolerated in any Scotch or English county
No less rational and practicable is Mr.. PAR
NELL's demand that the Irish franchise
should in all ways be assimiated to that Of
Great Britain. Here, then, we have scheme
Of administrative reform so moderate and
equitable that it might be thought no honest
| Liberal could oppose it. Yet 1t Is well nigh
certain to be opposed by Liberals Of the
| FORSTER type as well as by the whole body
| OF Conservatives, on the ground that such
CONCESSIONS unexceptionable as they seem,
| would, in view of the implacabc attitude OF
the Irish people, carry tho Government a
long way on Il path which could not be re-
traverscd, and which would inevitably lead
N 80 Al