New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-20

offence in the eyes of the class Of vulgar IN
tolerants. to which the Duke OF Westminster
evidently belongs. that it can only be properly
resented by gross insult, not alone 10
friend, but also to the friends wife.
This is an extreme instance of the extent
to which party lines are allowed to divide
English society. MIR. Parnelrs case is an ex-
ceptional one, for he has been an outcast, so
far as society is concerned, from the beginning
and calmly accepted that as one Of his minor
trials How much Of a trial it may have been
can only be appreciated by those who have
seen the English people close at hand and
know how blindly they worship their cruel
god, Responsibility, Other instances OF po-
litical divisions in society are common enough
however, especially as the Irish controversy
has increased in bitterness Mr.. Smalley told
us the other day that Lady Salisbury's reeep-
ton was attended almost exclusively by Union
lists and Tories, just as Lady Hayters was by
Home Rule Liberals. Dinners preceded both
receptions, and not one guest of the opposite
party was present at either. So too, Sir George
Otto Trevelyap and his wife gave dinner and
reception, at both of which only Homo Rulers
were present
liz France, as every one knows, social rela-
tions are governed by politics to an extent
which seems almost incredible to an American.
When Mr.. Hendricks died. Congressman Hit,
of Illinois. recalled an incident that had oc-
CURED some years before in Paris. Mr.. Hit,
who was then connected with the Legation,
arranged an interview for Mr.. Hendricks with
Gambetta. When the latter discovered that
his two visitors were opposed in politics and
yet were warm friends he was astonished and
expressed his regret that things were not so
in France. One incident of this kind speaks
volumes.
The situation is entirely different in this
country. Personal or fractional politics docs
sometimes get into society, though not for long,
but the division of society by party lines is
practically unknown here, To an American
the idea of inviting only Democrats or Repnb-
leans to a reception, out Of a feeling OF. per-
sonal bitterness against members Of the other
party, would seem ludicrous. Dinners where
all the party are Of one shade of opinion are
not uncommon, but they are usually merely for
conference. The fact is that American poll
tics, with all its surface heat, its yehemence,
its attacks upon the characters of public men,
is the most good-natured, probably In the
world. Warm friendships between men of
opposing parties are quite as common as be-
tween men of the same party. Political OPP
ponents minge freely on the floors of legis-
lative bodies, in business in the church, in
society. Rival candidates for Office will travel
in the same carriage from place to place to
speak against each other, and if need be, will
sleep in the Same bed. The Senator from
Ohio and the Senator from Vermont will clash
swords in debate, and then 20 downstairs to
refresh themselves from the same Senatorial
fount. The idea of refusing social relations
with man because of his politics seems child
ish to an American. This is well. Life is
short, at best. Let us be good-natured.