New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-18
afP paRNFLDS MENACE.

Mr. pa,nell ia an adrolt political manager.
In eloguence, imagination and other QUALITIES
for which the greatest Irish Agitators nave
been remarkable. he is deficient, bat he has pa
tience pcrtinacity, practical ability as an
organizer, and "a cool, calculating judgment.
The success of the Parnell Fund and the re-
organization of tho Irish associations NJ nome
and abroad have given him an unrivalled po-
sition AS the leader of the national movement.
The policy of the Irish party at Westminster
and in the island now bears the un mistakaoie
impress of his will. 1t discloses unity OF pur-
pose and practical intelligence. At the Mona-
CHAN election the Ulster tenant-farmers are
urged to support Mr.. Healy, MT because he is
Home Rnler or political agitator, but be-
cause he fagors certain amendments to the
Land Act for which that class is openly clamor-
ing. His election is an assurance that tne
Ulster constituencies may be carried IN gen
eral election by the adoption OF similar plat
form. The principle is at once taken up ny
the central committee OF the National League
The branches of the League in Limerick, Ciare
and Tipperary counties unite In declaration
that judicial rents decreed by the Land Com
mission are rack rents. Every Irish member
addressing his constituents advocates tho
amendment of the LAID Act and, finally, Dir.
Parnel himself rises in Parliament to give an
authoritative definition of the policy OF the
party. He pronouDces the Land Act an made
quate measure, applied with slowness ana In
efficiency" and unless its defects are speedily
remedied, he threatens to lead deeper and
@more desperate citation than any that has yet
"been Witnessed The menace has startling
sound, bat it is only an echo OF the earlier
speeches in Monaghan. A common purpose Is
disclosed in all these manifestations of Irish
policy The leader only emphasizes it with
menacing gesture.
Mr.. Parnell refers with poor grace to the
"slowness and ineficiency" of the sdminiStra-
ton of the Land Act. When that measure was
passed he and his associates did their utmost
TO retard its operation, and even to break IL
down altogether. If he and they had CO
operated with the Liberal Government In
securing its passage, it could have been
materially amended at the time ; and certainly
if they had not arrayed themselves in hostility
to it, settlements under it would have proceed
ed rapidly, and tie entire tenant-iarmer
class would have accepted its provisions. Mr.
Parnell is largely responsible for the slowness
and ineflicency" with which the Land Act mas
been applied, for he himself created preju-
dice against it which the Government has found
it difficult to overcome He knows this, but ID
Indifferent to the charge of inconsistency. lie
cares little for the logical aspects OF ngrarian
agitation. What he wants is n convenient
means of uniting the tenant class and interest
Ing them ultimately in the question of legisla-
tive independence. At the outset he could not
A. -, b., IA thR demands Oi fba
Irish people in reference to the land. He gave
currency to vague phrases and counselled wide
spread agitation, avoiding definite proposals.
In like manner, he now demands the amend
ment of the Land Act without committing him
self to details and his purpose now, as then,
is to keep the land question open at all hazards
until the entire population of the island shall
be united in its demands for Home Rule.