New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-13
,W OPINIONS on THE PROPOSALS.
A CONSERVATIVES VIEW OF HOME RULl
LETTER FROM W. II. SMITH - WHAT LEADING
NATIoNALIsTS HAVE TO SAY
fBY CABLE TO TIE TRBUSE.1

LETTER FROM w. II. SMITH - WHAT LEADING
NATIONALIsTS HAVE TO SAY.
fpY CABLE TO TIE TRIBUSE.1
Copyricht; 1856: North Il american cable Nsus Co
LONDON April l2.-W. II. Smith, formerly First
Lord Of the Admiralty and later Chief Secretary
for Ireland in the closing days Of the last Con-
scrvatlve Cabinet, has sent to The TRIBUNE repre-
sentative here Il letter giving his views on Mr..
uladstonc's Home Rule proposals. lie opposes the
scheme. declaring that it would be bad both for
Great Britain and Ireland, and announces that the
Conservatives would willingly support Govern
ment formed by Lord Harrington. The TRIBUNE
representative has also obtained expressions OF
opinions Oh the measure from leading Nationalist
members of the House of Commons. Mr.. Smiths
letter Is as follows:
II may be asserted with authority that tho members
Conservative party regard the exciting crisis In
Irish affairs by the extraordinary proposals of
Mr. Gladstone. as a National, party, question.
They fully prepared and determined to sink all
thoughts OF personal ana party advantage In the single
consideration OF what best for the maintenance OF the
legislative between Great Britain and Ireland
Should Mr.. Gladstone's proposals he defeated in the
House of Commons the second reading and
Lord Harrington DO summoned by the Queen
to form a new Government can assure
you unhestangly lie will command the support OF the
Conservative party in any form, 10 any extent neces
sary for his in the good work OF carrying on the
Queens government throughout the United hngdom OF
Great Britain and ireland.
The Conservatives this time prepared to treat
moderate Liberal Government framed by Lord Hart
ngton War Democrats OF the United states at tie
time of the secession treated the Union Government
OF the Republicans under President Lincoln. They be-
leve that the maintenance OF legislative union is
sental to the welfare Ireland well Great Britain
and is in the interest OF Ireland as well as Great
Britain that they will take the action indicate.
M feelings toward
Irish people than have sincerely wishes for
their prosperity and happiness believe these can be
secured only by the maintenance Of legislative union
the proposals of Mr. Gladstone suffered 10 reach
second reading 1t will be- believe. because many Lib
erals. who entirely opposed to those proposals,
wish to treat Mr. Gladstone with Difference and courtesy
while defeating his fatally mischievous proposals
WILLIAM HENRY SMITH.
OPINIONS OF NATIONALIST MEMBERS.
Mr. Healy writes as follows:
1t be perverse folly for the Irish representatives
not to support this bill We cannot wait whi.e
those who would oppose its acceptance have not to-
gether might force better terms from England
The ieblood OF the country Is being drained and every
day il being further paupcrized aud depressed.
Are we to dash from Mr.. Glaistones hand the
cordial which he is about TO administer TO Us as
restorative Throughout this business think Mr..
Parnen has the profoundest judgment. and his
policy my most thorough and hearty support be-
Iieve the bill will pass the second reading.
7. NJ. HEALY
The next opinion is by the vice-chairman of the
Irish Parliamentary party:
approve of the scheme all do, of course hut
fear the prospect before 1t is stormy II is likely 10
reach the committee stage IN the House. but 1t Will.
surely be smashed in the committee. Tho Goyorn-
ment will then In all probability resign. An
attempt will be made to form coalition Ministry
but do not expect this attempt will
he successful that such Ministry will hold together
formed. You will have the Tories coming into Office.
and as the Tories VIII by tnnt time educated up to
the Reform bill in 1867, they will bring
in stronger Home Rule h than
Mr. Gladsones aud carry II. Home Rule is inevitable in
any case. and whether 1t be Tory Liberal Govern
rnent shall carry the measure the prestige Will all
the same be Mr.. Gladstones.
JUSTIN MCCARTHY.
The Editor Of Tie United Hea 3D. writes as follows:
1t would be easy to find bIots on any measure,
but this one, that six months ago Mr.. Parnell
would nave been considered mailman he had sketch.
II and proposed its acceptance by the British Para
ment Should 1t pass through Parliament unmutilated
think and ought to content the Irish people, and
will the Of innumerable blessings TO Ireland
WILLIAM OBRIES.
The chief administrator of the National
League says:
Tbe Is not all that Irhmen would desire, but
IL Is undoubtedly far beyond anything which the
generation OF 10 proposed
English Prime Minister In their day and 1t is doubtful
whether the Irish party would OF their notion have
introduced bold scheme TO the House of Commons
with any hope of a favorable reception. Even its OBJ
ectonabIc features be found to have their In
checking mpusve legislation and in welding the differ
ent classes Ireland into moro healthy and compre
hensive nationality.
T. Harrington. another of ParnelPs eloquent
heutenants says:
adlv fhe
rih people Q legs with power to deal
with all Irish matters and although under II
the Irish required to make some sacrifices
OF the opinion that II 1t modified four points
mentioned BY Mr. Parne 1t to be and would be ac-
cepted by the Irish people. ]. DILLON.
The london Daily Ners practically admits
that the Home Rule bill has not the popular
backing in Great Britain that will Justify the hope
of passing it in tins Parliament 1t says, however,
that an lrrevocable step has been taken in the dir
ectlon of conferring Home Rule on Ireland, and it
argues on parallel line with Justin Mccarthy
that if the Liberals don't pass such bill the Tories
will. Nevertheless. the fact that the sole organ
of the Gladstone party in London says openly that
it believes the country is not yet ripe for Home
Rule" is the most significant indication of the
fate of this particular measure. 1t is nevertheless
practically conceded by all statesmen that Ireland
must be allowed to govern herself and the only
dispute is as TO the way of letting her do it.
The President of the Irish National League of
Great Britain writes:
Critics may find faults In the measure. Like all human
things born amid legion of difficulties It has many, but
that such measure. comforting as 1t does Parliament
upon and should be introduced In the English House
OF Commons by the greatest Englsh statesman OF the
age h result which tho most sanguino OF irish patriots
could have hardly dared hope for For my part think
all the faults in Mr.. Gladstono's measure arc over
whelnngly outweighod BY lis merits II gves ireland
the power to make hor own laws and develop
her resources. aud IL has IN 1t elements
which will enable the Irish people, wita