The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-16
THE Ex-PREMIER.
His Party Broken Up-what Will Be Hi
Next Play.


His Party Broken Up-what VIII Be His
Next Play.
Cable Special to Herald
1t is folly to deny that Gladstone has driven
wedge through the very heart of his party All
attempts to win back the Unionists have con-
spicuously failed. Chamberlain is implacable.
His power at Birmingham remains unbroken.
He is too astute to be caught by his old chiefs
articles. Harrington stands firm and does not
much admire the new government, but plants his
foot on the solid ground of union before party.
Leading Liberals say. especially, that their
party can never reconcile its differences again
until Gladstone is out of the way. The old man,
they say, has dealt US fatal blow, although we
may not yet notice it. The only reparation he
can make is to retire I have heard thorough
Gladstonians avow this, and not dozen Liber-
ais in the House would repudiate the view.
The Ministry believes its strength consists in
resolutey opposing any scheme involving an IN
dependent Irish Parliament. | am inclined to
think, from tAe best information at my COM
mand. that there will be produced next year
plan extending local government. pure and sim
ple to all parts of the country alike. Ii Ireland
accepts this, we'll and good, if nothing more can
be done. In the meantime there will be an en-
deavor to carry on the government by the ordl-
Larry law, not resorting TO such coercion bills as
Harcourt's, in 1882. which many Conservatives
would oppose. II the law fails, there will be an
appeal to Parliament to strengthen It, without
adopting Harcourt's Cromwellian measure. Such
is the present intention. 1t is evident that the
nation generally approves it.
In Lancashire and throughout the great man
ufacturing districts intense bitterness towards
Gladstone still exists for forcing the recent elec-
ton. Workingmen are indignant at having
been made to suffer for his want of foresight.
They say:
what we want is to be shown how to get
back our old customers. or how to find new ones
in order TO provide bread for our children. What
is TO become of US if the prevailing depression
contnues2 Why did not our case receive atten
tion from Parliament as well as the case of Ire
landF
This voice has not yet made itself heard at
Westminster, but it will be heard there before
very long, and it will silence every other When
four or five millions of operatives ind the means
of life going from them force will arise which
must be reckoned with.
The question now is, "What will Gladstone
do~ 1t will be useless to foe that dead horse,
home rule. The Nationalists cannot again
give him the pass key to power. He
must look in some other direction. 1
should not be surprised If he played the last
card in his hand, long known 10 be there, name
ly, disestablishment. He has long believed that
this would carry all before it. and rally under
his flag once more the great body of Liberals
and Dissenters. Is he right 1t is more than
doubtful. His opinions are founded on the stu
alton of twenty years ago. Since then the
church has done much to regain its hold upon
the people. 1t has popularized its services, sent
out active clergy and done it's duty better. The
dsestabishment cry partially raised in the
elections last year, and was surprised at the
depth of feeling which was called forth from
many not Ahurchmen. / feel assured that my
own constituency consisting chiefly of working
men, would have voted dead against disestab.
lshment
GladStAA's faiths rot shared by his follow
ers, who arr Esther inclined to stake their hopes
on Churchill running the Conservative ship on
rocks. AS for the differences within the Con-
servative family circle, if not healed they have
at least been covered over, the Conservative
motto being, Wash your dirty linen at home"
know members who are boiling over with in
dignation but who will not play into the enemys
hand. AS utterly ridiculous an appointment like
that of Stanley to the Board of Trade was too
glaring to escape notice. The public are in
clined TO make q generous allowance for the
Premiers difficulties, and the Ministry will have
fair chance.
The man who has the most difficult time to
play is Parnell. Any rash or premature step
would wreck his party, while too long inaction
might do him harm elsewhere. Practically his
work must be begun over again. The National
lists are naturally unwilling to admit this, but
time will show you that it is true.