The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-12
A CLEAN of Hope in the Defeat.

James O'Keliy's Special
The defeat of the government threatens to be-
come rout so far as England is concerned.
Gladstones appeal for justice to Ireland and
reconciliation with the Irish people has been an
swered by an unmisrakable refusal But Scot
land and Wales, to their honor. have pronounced
in favor of peace and justice. However, there
is one gleam of hope amid the shadows of defeat.
The popular vote in Great Britain in favor of
home rule has been enormous. One million
British citizens have recorded their opinion in
the ballot boxes that ireland should be granted
home rule. This marks clearly the great strides
made by the home rule movement, aided by the
public opinion of the world. When the number
of voters who have declared against Gladstone's
plan is examined, it is found that only
l, 100,0 600 have declared against that par
tlcular- form. A change Of one vote In every
twenty-on voters would have made home rule
triumphant along the whole line. When one
looks back to the state of public opinion in Great
Britain on this question only two years ago the
progress made seems marvellous. Speaking here
to-day with an experienced Scotch politician, he
stated that, in his belief, the triumph of home
rule was certain within a short period-if only
the Irish people kept cool under defeat and
proved themselves capable of intelligent self
control
Perhaps the most remarkable fact about the
election is that. notwithstanding the frenzied APP
peal to the British public to save the empire, the
total poll in the present contest is fully 20 per
cent. lower than in the last election, even on the
side of the victorious party. This is accounted
for. first, by the loss of votes. owing to the alb
stentions of dscontented Liberals, second, the
loss of votes by workingnens removals, as just
stated.
Or all sides one hears declarations of hatred
and promises of vengeance on all the seceders at
the next election, which men begin already to
look forward to- apparently forgetful how
many tricks the Tories may play on their simple
allies by the aid Of Harrington, news of whose
election is just received, and Chamberlain. The
Tories now in the position they intrigued
with the Irish party at the last election to secure
by an alliance with Parnell Churchill and Sal
isbury could now control the destinies OF the
British empire for seven years. The two really
solid Parliamentary parties the Tories and Par
nelites, have now working majority OF forty
two over both Wings and Radicals Sixteen
Parnellte seats remain to be filed up, while the
Tories are still increasing their majority. The
combined Irish and Tory parties will probably
have majority of sixty over all sections of the
Liberal party.
On the other hand the Unionists and Tories
only agreed on defeating Gladstones proposal.
They are certain To break up on side issue,
while against the combined Liberal and Irish
vote the Tories will be impotent. Therefore,
their only hope for long lease of power rests on
conciliatine the Irish people and establishing an
alliance with the Parnellites. This will not take
place Immediately That would be too shame-
less. But probably before six months Salisbury
will bring in a home-rue measure calculated to
secure Irish support. The central fact of the
situation will be the 800 members elected by
Edgland, Scotland, Wales and Ireland on d.
rect home-rule issue That fact cannot be ig-
Irish cause is more hopeful than il seems, when
judged by the election returns