New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-07-26
lord sPENCERs ERADICATION.


lord Spencer has received a flattering testi
monial of Liberal appreciation. The banquet
given in honor of his services rs Viceroy was
attended by representatives Of all factions and
Mr.. Chamberlain's tribute of respect was ~
ureouivocal M Lord Hartington's. The
Liberal press has united in commencing his
administration Of the Crimes Act and in ex
tolhng his virtues and sacrifices. The alliance
between the Tories and the Parnellites Is n
fantastic arrangement, as the defeat OF inc
Government demonstrated few nights ago,
but 1t has served to draw the Liberal factions
closer together. The LEADERS in Opposition VINO
could not when in office agree upon irish policy
now unite in indicating Lord Spencer from the
charges of cruelty, injustice andr.nlsgovernDent
which have been preferred against him. from
the English point Of view he deserved the COM
pliments showered upon him. The task oil re-
storing the supremacy OF Crown law IN Ireland
was as difficult and dangerous AS 1t was thank
less. He took the Crimes Act for which Doth
English parties had made themselves RESPONSE
BILE and enforced It with vigor and tact. III he
made some mistakes this was inevitable; but
in the main he acted prndently and succeeded
in the end in securing the punishment oil
criminals, The Irish people naturally hated
him because his success was triumph Tor
English administration. He pacifed the
island and restored the supremacy OF Law by
means which the Irish unite IN dcnouncng.
The first Coercion Act had failed, whereas the
Crimes Act had accomplished It's purpose but
in the estimation of Mr.. ParnelTs followers the
measures were equally detestable.
II is probable that Lord Spcncers work will
be more generally appreciated in Ireland when
Mr.. Parnell succeeds in convincing his great
constituency-he practically represents the
Irish race in the United Kingdom-that political
ends are not promoted by criminal agencies.
This was one of O'COnnells maxms anu 1t
onght to be the watchword of every Irish agita-
ton. The Nationalist cause is stronger to-day
than il has been in six years for the reason that
| it is not tainted with crime or lawlessness. Mr..
| Parnell now occupies commanding position
| between the two English parties and by per-
| severance, courage and dextcrity he can rca-
sonably hope to dictate at Westminster large
measures of reform by which the Irish people
can eventually own their land and practically
govern themselves. If these ends so dear to
the hearts of patriotic lrishmcn are ultimately
| achieved, they may have cause To be grateful
| Ia Lord Spencer for making the Crimes Act an
effective instrument in bringing the reign OF
| lawlessness To an end. Directed against terror.
ism, murder and agrarian offences, it was a
force bill which could only be defended on the
| ground of necessity To his credit be it said
that it's most arbitrary and least justiiiable
provisions were sparingy applied and that the
weapon in its armcry most commonly used was
the clause permitting a change OF venue In
criminal cases. Mr.. Parnell, without intending
to do it, may give Lord Spencer in future his
most valuable testimonial. Let there be politi-
cal agitation without crime, and the Viccroy
who brought crime to an end will be honored
| even in Ireland.