National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-07-15

After the mountains Of British politics
have been in labor for four months ridicu-
lous mouse, in the shape Of coalition be-
tween Lords Harrington and Salisbury, is
the only result. The British empire has
been In o state of almost unprecedented
turmoil. The most intellectual, humane,
and industrious statesman in the world at
present, or that England has ever produced,
brought forward measure for the redress
Of grievances that had passed into a by
word among the nations. The first distin
guished merit of this bill consisted In the
fact that IT satisfied the people whose
wrongs were intended to be remedied. II
was unfolded to the house Of commons with
a wisdom begotten Of half century's eN-
pcrience Of practical political life. 1t was
supported by men In the cabinet who repre-
sent the best brains in England, and II 70.
cussed the sympathies and active assistance
Of all men everywhere who believed that
nations have the right TO manage their own
affairs, and that the majority has always the
right to rule.
1t seemed as II the fabled sunburst had
broken forth again upon the old historic
harp and crown. But the appointed time
had not yet come, aud skillful comblna.
tion incipally--ignorant voters
who understand liberty for themselves but
not for other people, results in returning to
parliament a class Of men who were in
vented by God for the express purpose of
ruling their fellows.
1t seems that, after all, the "strong
policy is to go into effect. Mr.. I. p.
O'Connor says that In all probability Lord
Salisbury will father genuine measure of
home rule, but, according TO the latest in-
formation, the Marquis Of Salisbury, pres
ent leader OF the tory party, aud the Mar.
qus Of harrington, until yesterday assist
ant leader Of the liberal party, have entered
into an agreement by which the former
nobleman accepts the latter's home rule
| policy which involves the maintenance OF
the full powers Of the imperial parliament.
By 1t, according to the dispatch, tie
| pOiCers conferred on local councils IN Irelaai
are deiegdicd, not surrendered, By pdrlia-
mc,h, Which body reserves the right 10 control
and rerisc The action Of the councils. The
appointment Of Judges and the lcgal ddn,i,-
istrdtion are ceHtcred M the imperial purlta-
mcRt,
Under such q regime, In the name Of
heavcnsl where does any manifestation Of
Irish power come inH The people ask for
bread and they are given stone. But as
MIR. Gladstone has offered them bread they
are going to have bread, all the compaisant
lnarquses in the British empire notwith-
standing,
Itis scarcely possible to understand how
Lord Harrington, who has been chief secre-
tary for Ireland and who might be expected
to understand the persistent banker
ing of the Irish people after real
national life Of their own, could be SO
blind to existing facts as to offer them,
instead Of a parliament In Dublin, the
proud privilege OF elocting school boards,
grand juries, town councils, poor law
guardians, sheriiTs, night watchmen, street
cleaners, chimney sweeps, and all the other
small potatoes Of the village bottle-washlng
department. And even this wonderful
concession is not to be absolute. According
to the text "parliament reserves the right
to control and revise the action Of the
councils"
What would citizens OF the smallest state
in this country think il they were not al
lowed TO elect their own judges, to levy
state taxes, ana to control their own mill
tia and police without the interference Of
Congress? But, to institute more com
plete parallel with Ireland, let us suppose
that all those privileges had been with
drawn, that the small state had no power
Of itself, but that its various towns and
cities We're permitted to elect town com
ellis, and perhaps sheriff, only on con
dition, however, that Congress reserrcs ht
right 10 control and rcvise The action Of III
cOlaCiisl
What sort of liberty woull the American
people consider thisP Well, the Irist
people are made out Of much the SAINT
clay as Americans, English, Germans
French, &C., and they will take an early
opportunity of proving to our friends, the
English nobility and all other hereditar.
legislators, that they understand the fabl
, Of the mouse, and will tolerate no NOR
nonsense.