The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-07-12
II H e
THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.

English election news is not very sat
isfactory reading for those who favor the
Tory interest. As far as the returns
have come in parties appear to be pretty
equally balanced, despite the detection
of Lord Harrington and the Wings, and
of Bright and Chamberlain with the
dilettante Radicals. Gladstone holds
his own, and will poll full vote for the
Liberals in spite of all opposition. If
this is not a numerical it is assuredly a
moral triumph. The Tories, backed by
the boilers from the Liberal side, had
convinced themselves that they would
sweep the country from Lands End to
John o'Groat's, and that coDceding Ire
land to Parnell they would have a large
working majority in Parliament. The
vast wealth, social prestige and terrific
rial influence of the peers and landed
gentry of the United Kingdom have
been exerted to the utmost to carry the
elections. Money has been scattered
with lavish hand, while Gladstone
went into the campaign, the world has
been told through the press, with not
enough money to defray the cost of
three-fourths of the election contests
that were deemed to be essential to the
success of his cause. For English states
men and party leaders are not at all
squeamish about admitting the use of a
campaign fund.- at general elections,
=,
anything wrong about it.
Be this as it may however, the fact
that the Tories, under such favoring con-
ditions, have been unable to do more
than hold their ground is evidence of
defeat. They cannot safely block the
way of the great measure for the politi-
cal regeneration of Ireland, lest the
Grand Old Man be tempted to strike
down his enemies by adopting the ad-
vanced views of his followers and intro
ducing bill to abolish the privilege of
hereditary legislation This is undoubt-
edly possible outcome of the attitude of
the House of Lords on the question of
Irish autonomy. And we are not pre-
pared to say that it would not be an i'm
provement after all A second or re-
visory Chamber, like the French SEN
ate, would perform all the functions of
the House of Lords full as well as they
can be performed under the existing
system. This would not in any sense
weaken the Throne. On the contrary,
it would bring it closer to the hearts
and homes of the people to adopt the
elective principle in the constitution OF
the Upper House OF Parliament in Eng
land There would be no need to abol-
ish titles, but these would confer social
and not political distinction upon their
possessors.
This election contest in the United
Kingdom is watched with the closest
attention by all civilized nations, as well
as by all people OF British stock through
out the world. 1t is a contest in which
great principles are involved, but under
living all is the right of a free people to
manage their own internal affairs. I'm
perial considerations do not righfully
enter into the question at all. 1t is the
same right that was defended by the
British American Colonies and resisted
by George the Third, but which re-
suited in the Declaration of Independ-
ence and the organization of the Gov
eminent of the United States. 1t is the
same right for which Canada strug-
gled, and which was conceded rather
than risk another Declaration OF INDIE
pendence and the intervention of the
United States And it is the same right
that has been recognized by the Crown
as inherent in the people of New Zea-
land and Australia. Why it should &c
denied to Ireland therefore is puzzle
which nobody can explain.