New-York tribune., 1886-06-09
MR. P4RNELL'S CONSERV4TISM

Mr. Parnell has armed Mr.. Gladstone with Il
formidable election argument. The Irish lead
ers speech came too late to secure the second
reading, but it will have weight with the Eng
| ish and Scotch constituencies as the strongest
and most reasonable appeal for the Prime Min
| istel's scheme of Home Rule. 1t contained not
only prOfuse expressions of gratitude to the
English statesman, but also lucid exposition
and cordial acceptance of the provisions of the
measure which has been defeated. Mr.. Glad
stones apprecative tribute to its statesman.ike
qualities was well -merted. 1t was the speech
of leader who already perceives that his tri-
umph is close at hand and is sobered by a con-
sciousness of the responsibilities of power.
| Throughout the address there are traces of a
growing spirit of political conservatism in the
Nationalist leader. He no longer speaks with
the impassiOped tone of the Irish tribune. He
speaks as the future Irish Minister of the Brit
| ish Crown, upon whom will devOlve the re-
spOnsible duty of recOnstructjng the admins
trative system of the island and holding under
restraint the burning desires of his fellow coun-
trymen and the ambitions of his npetuvus
| followers.
striking proof of this change of tone is
found in Mr.. Parnell's acceptance of the two
orders into which the Irish Parliament will be
divided under Mr.. GladstOne's scheme. When
the bill was read the first time, he referred to
this provision as one of its palpable blemishes.
He described it as All artificial device which
would fail in practical operation and would be
profoundly distasteful to the Irish people. Now
he refers to it as very salutary provision,
which will tend to prevent rash legislation and
| ip,p ta Of Rafa has cd
him that Mr.. Gladstone in framing that curious
section had something else in mind than tenn
porary eapedient for disp0sing Of the Irish
peers who would be deprived of their seats in
the House of Lords. He discerns an ingenious
and self-actiDg contrvance for Obstructing
hasty legislation and protecting an Irish Minis
try against the ardor aud rawness of the new
legislators. He also recognizes the probable
utility Of this legislative provision in the settle
ment of questions affecting the interests of the
Protestant minority. The result of the two
orders working together will be, he remarks, to
furnish "a basis of compromise more Or less
satisfactory to all parties" These reflections
betokcn the trend which the Irish leaders mind
is now taking. The period of agitation is draw
ing to a close. The burdens of cOnstructive e
legislation, the future responsibilities of Office,
are already under serious consideration. Mr..
Painel is not only becoming wary. cautious
and moderate, but he is actually de, elopng
conservative tendencies.
Many similar illustrations of change of temper
might be cited. The reasons which he gives for
preferrng Mr. GladstOne's scheme to revival
of the Grattan Parliament are cogent and
practical. Recognizing explicitly the limita-
tons under which the Legislature will act, he
accepts the substitution of subordinate for a
co ordinate Parliament as an equitable adjust
ment because Mr. Gladstone offers in return
many compensatiDg advantages and because it
promises to be final settlement of all ques-
tiOns between the two countries. Pledging
himself and his associates to do their utmost to
prevent any abuse of the powers that may be
entrusted to them, he acknowledges the right
of the Imperial Parliament to intervene in