New-York tribune., 1886-08-28
GLADsToNE's PAMPHLET ON HOME RULE.
DlsPRovISo THE CHARGE OF INcoyslsrKScY-Hrs
CONVICTION FIFTEEN YEARS AGO AND NOW
ruw AMP

LONDON, Aug. 27.-Mr. Gladstone's brochure
the Irish question published to day Il contains
afv eight pages. and 10 sln In the excellence OF
style TO Mr. Gladston3s pamphlet on the Bulgarian
atrocinsA Al the outset Mr. Gladstone compares it
with the apology he wrote on his change of attitude 70
garding the lrtsh Church. "BpL" he continues, - In
the presens case have such change to Indicate but
have only 70 point out the in which my language
and conduct were governed by uniformy Of principle
have smpy followed the various stages by which the
great question Of autonomy for ireland has been
brought 70 the stage OF rperess for practical legsa
tion."
The brochure 10 under two heads The frat 10 the his
tory OF idea, in which Ar Gladstone summarizes the
following conditions. under hch alone, in his Wow,
Home Rule became possible: First the abandonment
OF the hope that Parliament could serve as q passabe
legislative instrument for Ireland; second, tho
eauvocal aud constitutional demand Of the Irish
bora third the possibility Of dealing with Scotland In
similar way In circumstances OF equal and equally
clear dcslre. Mt. Gladstone then passes to
defend himself from the charge OF hav.
ing sprung the Homo Rule measure upon
his frends Replying to the charges Of Harrington and
Chamberlain that he had conceived the idea precpate
y and TO the charge OF Bright that he had concealed 1t
unduy. he denies that t the duty OF minister to
make known even to his colleagues every idea forming
In mind, which would tend confuse and retard In
stead Of aid business He continues what is true Is
that had not publicly and In principle condemned II.
neither adopted nor rejected IT, and for the very simple
reason 1t ripe either for adoption or for
lection"
Mr. Gladstone then goes on to point out that during
all the earlier years OF hs public e the alternatives
we're repealed on the hand. and tho other the
lief OF ireland from Erievances 1t not possible he
says at that time to prognoscate how in short time
Parliament would stumble and almost writhe under its
constantly accommodating burdens, or to
pronounce that It would eventually prove
Incapable Of meeting the wants OF
ireland. Evidently there was period when
Irish patriotism. represented by OConne, looked
fsvorsoiy upon this alternative policy and had nxed
conclusion as the absolute necessity for home gov
and seened to allow that founded In
justice to Ireland might possibly suffice to meet the ne
cossy Of tho case 1t was as carly as 1871 Mr. Glad
stone ssys, that be took the first step
toward placing the controversy on l"
true basis he opposed Mr.. Bntts's scheme
because the alternative described in the last paragraph
had exhausted but even at that time he did
close the door recognition OF the question
In different stste OF things for instead OF denocncne
the idea OF Home Rule In its essence destructive
OF unity OF the empire IN tho following words be ac
cepted the assurance eiven to the contrary: "Lt me
do the promoters Of this movement the fullest Justice
always speaking under the conviction as they most en-
phatcaly declare, and 10 fully believe thom. that the
union Of these kingdoms under Her Majesty 10 to
be maintained, but that Parliament 10 to be
broken up" Similarly IN 1874 Mr. Gladstone accepted
without qualification the principle that Home Rule had
no necessary connection with separation When Mr.
Shaw succeeded TO the Home Rule leadership In 1880,
Mr. Gladstone hailed his speech as showing an evident
disposition respect the functions OF the House Of
the spirit OF the constitution. 10 1881. at
the Guildhall he announced that he would hail with
satisfaction and delight any measure of local govern
menJ for. ireland.
Comir tie electoral campaign Of 1888. Mr.. Glad
stone great object to DO Dotningto hinder
the prosecution OF the question by the Toros but In
his boat efforts 70 impress the public mind with tho i'm
portanoe and urgency OF the question. II In this
spirit that his Midlothian address was written The
Irsh question was severed from the general subject OF
local government and 1t was pointed out that 1t would
probably throw into the shade all other
important measures which were rs ripe. Once
ripe. the time for action had Just as II II had
been field. we not wait until II was
ripe. The healing OF nveterate would only be-
come moro difficult tie growth OF budding hopes more
liable to be checked aud parnyzed by the fross OF poll
tics. For England iu her soft armchair leisurely.
very lelsurey consideration. with adournments inter
posed. had been usual so also would havo been
comfortable But for Ireland IN her leakJ cabin,
OF consequence to stop out the weather.
,ha sHe Gasone al Tue 6esa, DRAWING E s9s
lessons from tue elections they AFFECT the Liberal
mates the loss to the Liberal party from the Cnonst
sohsn twOsevenths OF the WHOLE but this fraction is
II has commanded nve-s1ihs lie says Of the Liberal
peers not chan onet wenteth OF the Liberal
workin smen. Mr. Gladstone points out that even
the Tories have failed secure majority
draws tho conclusion that frat moment Liberal
ism is again united must again become predominant
Abatement that has already taken place IN the Tory
onnositlon ave hear no more pot-valiant language
be says, more " the fiOttcnOts aud more Of the
famous twenty years during which Parliament was to
Srsnt special powers nrm government In ireIsnd
ana the end of which time in larger less degree
The coerclve lave might be repealed and measures of
local self. government entertained" Mr. GIsdsione
thsn goes on TO Ont that Unonsts are already
pledge to an Immediate and large concession. many Of
thAm on such u scale hat they give TO their idea the
name of Home Rule declaring themsclves favorable 10
its prncpls and only opposed to tie and per-
verse manner n which II handled by the lae admin
istratOn.
ook az the ouestiOn" he continues which Way wa
M the cause OF Irish srnnen lives and moves