Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-08
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
MATTERS or INTEREST PROM ACROSS
THE OCEAN.
Eonster Conference Of Liberal unionists-
speeches Of Lord Harrington
and Others
fBy Anslo-Americsn cable to the pisoatch.l

tby AnkIo-Amercan caDio 70 the BtpAtcn-t
LONDON. December "A monster con-
ference OF the LIBERAL nionists was held
IN London to-day. The Marquis OF Hart
ington acted ~ chairman. Among The dis
tinRuished persons present were the Ears
81 Derby and Nortbbrook, Baron Roths-
child. Mr.. George J. Goschen. ex Attorney
General James, and numerous no5lemen.
Letters OF regret were read from Lord
1eupyson, Duke of Argyll, and John
Bright. In his letter John Bright says: 81
do not stte nj because might say something
which would give PAIN. / fear to~speak.
OF even TO write, respecting Mr.. Glid'
stones course, which ast0ni-hes and great
~ pains ne, especially his speech 10 The
Irish Population which lately called upon
tim. II seems that Mr.. Gladstone has gcp
50 far In bis wrong course that there i no
hope Of his return. deplore and con-
denim such action, aud IL present might
say something which would widen the
breach. Mr.. Glsdsione's Irish allies are
driving matters to extremities, and yet no
word comes from Parnell or Gladstone 10
restrain them"
Chamberlain wrote: "There Is no hope
Of Iouniting the Liberal party unless Glad
stones scheme OF lrsh government i
abandoned"
Lord Harrington, in his address 10 The
Convention, said the policy which GLAD
stone advocated was directly opposed to the
opinions Of the entire Liberal party, and
even Of all the principals under him. The
Liberal Z utonists were az true exponeuts
a Liberal principles as we're the maj 1rity
who followed Gladstone, and in maintain
ing the supremacy Of the Imperial Parlis-
4. ,f.ft inn ~
those principles. Their association was
formed 10 preserve the character
Of lis members as Unionist-Libe-
rails. and by organization they had
achieved success which would have
been impractcable otherwise, and had only
been achieved after organization by the
formation OF an alliance with the Conserva-
lives. 4 siege would be laid to GladstOne's
position, which had not been taken by
storm. and the Libera-t' nionists would
have 70 work until either they were defeat
ed or they obtained q more decisive vic
tory. The time bad not yet arrived when
the line Of action in Parliament would be
laid down. The Liberal niOnists must
depend for their line OF parliamentary
policy upon tue action Of the Government.
The speaker believed there would be found
no difficulty on the main point-the
maintenance Of the union. The present
conference would prove 10 the Liberal
Tnionists everywhere that they were acting
with the full support Of the liberal opinion
in the party. Gladstone, Sir William
Vernon HarcOuri. and John Morley based
her speeches upon the granting TO Ireland
q an executive government; but these
speeches all ignored the arguments OF the
Llberal-U nionists against such policy.
Gladstone assumed that the Government
were competing with him in his scheme Tor
Ireland, but the Government were opposed
10 ANYTHING Of the kind. The removal OF
the present Government would result IN the
election Of Gladstone, who would settle the
Irisb question in his own way. We must
ALWAYS remember this when questions
afi,e which might result in displacing
the Government. The Liberal-U niOnIsts
are interested in sustaining the Govern.
mept. Questions had arisen which gave
he Conservatives common interest with the
section of Liberals. and would force the n 70
don't some reforms. II was necessary -
maintain The union between the Govern
mcni and the Liberal. Unionist.. The
question Of municipal reform, for instance,
was one which the Unionists should give
the Govern an oppOrtuny 10 conNder,
Referring to the situation IN Ireland. Lord
Harrington said the present antl'rent agtta-
ton was not spontaneous. il had, be main
tanned, been created for political purposes.
snd was simply anarchy. II speeches Ike
John Dillon's were not checked the result
must be the subyersion Of every principle
Of liberty ~ Ireland.
We are told" said the speaker, " that
the English Democracy wiz not stand these
eviclions, but think English Democracy
will ask who Is responsible for them. Mr..
Gladstone may not he able TO control John
Dillon, but Mr.. Gladstone can speak one
word which will dlssolye the alliance De-
tween agltators Of DIllon's class and the
Liberal party. The English people are
awaiting that word which, If DELAYED, viii
seriously endanger the good name OF the
Liberal party" Great Cheers.
The Earl Of Selborne moved that The
conference affirm it, determination 70 make
every effort to uphold the union. The
resolution WIS adopted by acclamation.
The Duke Of Westminster moved and
MIR. Heneage seconded the resolution "a
establish Llbersl-U niouist associations ev'
er,whele throughout Great Britain.