New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-05-09
THE BIRMINGHAM PROTEST.
THE RADICAL TWO THOUSAND AGAINST
HOME RULE.

The Parliamentary recess, III mas been tacitiy
agreed. is to be a campaign for aud against Home
Rule. or rather for and against Mr.. Gadstone's
Home Rule scheme; not quite the same. thing.
Well. the campaign opens with something very like
a pitched battle. Lord Spencer and Mr. John Nor
lev spoke for the Government Mt Newcastle, being
tho heroes Of what is called demonstration IL the
Town Hall of that grim NOrthumbrian cap
ltal The Duke of Argyll addressed mass
meeting Of the citizens of Glasgow in
ST. Andrews Hall; n gathering of people of all
political shades agreeing only III their dislike to the
proposed establishment of a separate Parliament
for Ireland In Liverpool, meantime Mr. L. 7.
O'Connor expouDded the Parnellite view of Mr..
GadstOne's scheme-a speech curious and signlfi-
cant from more points OF view than one. At the
same hour the Two Thousand of Birmingham as
sembed to hear Mr. Chamberlain define his posi-
ton, and to declare the sentiments of the Midland
Capital on the question of the day. mention only
the chief meetings. There others, many
others. going at the same time, but the roar of
the great guns such that the sound OF the lesser
ordnance reaches the ear but family.
Above all the din however, was heard the voice
of Bradford, expressing itself IN an Irish brogue.
Bradford. where for quarter of century MI.
Forster had been the supreme political influence
turns it's back him the moment heis in his grave
Perhaps ought not to say Bradford it is only the
central division of Bradford which declares ITSELF
content to see Mr. Shaw-Lefevre preach Home kuIc
from the same platform on which Mr.. Forster mad
so long appealed to his feow-citizens in behalf OF
the Union. Mr.. Shaw-Lefevre comes back to the
House of Commons and the party whips are
rejoced for it means one more vote IN support or
the Irish Government Act and the Land Purchase
Act. Gladstonlans who take broader view of
things cannot but think the Bradford incident an
ominous one. Mr.. Shaw Lefevre's $50 majority IS
an Irish majority. The Irish voters in Bradford
number 600 to 700. They were against Mr.
Forster to a They were for Mr.. Shaw
Lefevre TO man, Yet the English Home
Ruler has less than half the majority
given to Mr. Forster and since the Irish make up
nearly the whole of it the inference must be that
out of Mr.. FOrsters 5000 supp)rtcr nearly one
fourth have declined vote for Mr. Gladstone's
candidate and Mr.. Gadstone's measures
Birmingham is perhapsa greater blow than Brad
ford. For the past week or two faithful organs nave
given out that the Caucus would turn in the hand
Of its chief creator In Birmingham Itself Hr.
Chamberlain was to be Overthrown, and over
thrown by Mr.. Schnadhorst, his first lieutenant, the
man who had perhaps more to do with the
actual organization of the "machne" than
had Mr. Chamberlain himself. The spectacle actu-
ally before MS is very different from this 1t was
ante open TO Mr.. Chamberlain to avoid meeting
Birmingham a. a whole, and to present himself be-
fore only that division of it -onc-scyenth OF the
wholc-which he actually represents With char
acterlstic courage and also with obvious confluence
i'll the result, he chose the broader course. The
occasion lay ready made to his hand. The annual
meeting of the Two Thousand was to
be held. | have explained fully long ere
this the constitution of this remarkable organi-
cation, but there readers who NAV ike
TO be reminded that each of the seven electoral
districts of birmingham has its association, mum
bered in hundreds, each all powerful within IT'S own
limits aud that these associations unite In gen
eral organization for the whole city. 1t Is this lat
ter which goes by the name of the Two Thousand.
There are more reasons than one for the existence
of this body. but there is one which is decisive.
Now of old, the able and energetic and intensely
earnest Liberals of this great city are resolved to
make the opinion of Birmingham heard and re-
spccted. Cut M into seven voices nobody would
listen to it, nobody would give 1t the weight
of the old Birmingham. Mr.. Bright once spoke for
il but Mr. Bright has fallen ont of the van. Mr..
Chamberlain has succeeded to very considerable
part of his authority, but other times other
customs is a maxim which, old as it is, applies to
the headquarters of the New in English politics.
Not Mr.. Chamberlain nor any other man can any
longer claim to be the mouthpiece of Birmingham.
III -
thoritv adequate to the altered circumstances and
that Il why this body exists and why its meet
ing of Yesterday Is of such tremendous Importance
as a factor in moulding the general opinion OF The
country There is not III all England and Scotland
any one centre Of political energy comparable 10
Birmingham The school of political thought to
which Birmingham has given Its name, the hadl-
calsm of which ii is the source and origin mas
done more to direct the movement OF OPINION
throughout England han any her single influence
whatever. 1t vita!ized the Liberal party. gave 1t
en- husiasm found mission for it, and was not
less efficient in method than insprlting in ITS AIM
And this is the community which at TINS
critical moment has flung all its influence against
Mr. Gladstone's scheme of Home Rule for Ireland.
II has been the fashion among the faithful, ever
since Mr. Cha nberlain' secession from the Ministry
to bettle the effect of that secession and to dis
parage Mr. Chanberlain's position in the party and
influence with the country. Those who took this
line forgot Birmingham. or perhaps, As | was say
ing believed Birmingham could be manipulated.
Their state of mind this morning is one of some
thing very like dIsmay.
Mr.. Chambcrlain's speech before the Two
Thousand is very powerful piece of crit-
cism on the central principles and on much
of the detail which go to make up
Mr. Gladstone's two bills. Delivered TO an o Ill
nary audience It's effect III its printed form on the
great audience all over the Kingdom which listens
to him would have been damaging enough to the
Ministry But the thing which gives this speech
such weight is ITS acceptance by Biz ningham BE
hind Mr.. Chamberlain arrays itself that compact.
disciplined, intelligent experienced body, not OF
opinion merely but of trained politicians to whom
politics are n religion. Mr.. Chamberlain has de-
fined his position and theirs He will make no
Iln
will join 10 coalition; enter no cave But
he has shattered those hopes of his return to the MIN
iseria fold which but few days since were rile.
He has stated the terms on which alone he can