New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-18

Mr. Morley says: 4" Parallels from France, or any
where else may supply literary amusement; they
may fsNlish weapon in the play of controversy
They shed no light and do no service as we con-
front the solid facts of the business to be done
The only history that furnishes a clew
In Irish questions is the history of Ireland
What Mr. Morley says of his intellectual train
ing has that interest which always belongs to an
account-best Of all if it be his own account-ol the
growth OF mans mind II was the hlStoilcai
chapters in Comics Positive Philosophy that
first led him to true view of the literary ana
social history of Western Europe-the view that
is which he expressed in his books on Noltaire and
Rousseau. His essays were he admits, rcactionary
against Carlyle, whose datribes against the Bank
rupt Century then held the field. In a general
way the masters to whom he went in early man
hood, so far from being revolutonists and terror
lists, belonged entirely to the opposite camp
"Austins Jurisprudence and NILS Logic and
'Utilitarianism were everything, and Rousscau's
Social Contract was nothing" Mill was the
chief influence for Mr. Morley as for most OF his
contemporaries in those days Later came many
notifications of Mills doctrines, bat for awhile he
was disciple and not critic. Iurgot attracted
him ;'Turgot was to him n great and inspiring
character Burke is of course included III inc ISL
of formative teachers Mr. Morley held Mllls
doctrines about politics, that the test of PRACTICAL
political, social proposals is not their conformity
TO abstract ideals, but convenience, utility, en-
pediency and occasion. If | were pressed says
he for an illustration of these principles at work
inspiring the minds and gu ding the practice OF
responsible statesmen in great transactions OF our
own day and generation, should point to the
sage, the patient, the triumphant action of Abra-
ham Lincoln in the emancipation OF the negro
slaves Nothing could be more interesting than
such tribute to Lincoln from an English scholar
But is there any record of Lincolns having studied
Comics " Positive Philosophy or even MilIs
Logic" and Ctilitaranism" ? Again does Mr.
Morley go to America for an ideal or hero
Washington. lie quotes Joffcrson's character of
Washington as coming far nearer to the right
pattern of Il great ruler than can be found In any
Of Carlyle's splendid dithyrambs.
Such then were Mr.. Morcy's teachers such arc
his models OF great in public life; remote
enough certainly, from the precursors OF OF actors
in the French Revolution. Nobody could be less
like Rousseau than Mill. Never had any ruler
less Of the Jacobn in him than Washington or
Lincoln The defence is complete rs far as 1t goes
How comes il, then, that such a name as Jacobin
was ever bestowed on Mr.. Morley? The answer
would take me too far, and no answer could be
final But may say that it is not so much his line
on the Irish question as the arguments by which
lie cnforces his Irish views that cause him to be
thought revolutionary. He would be the last to
deny that the Irish battle has been fought on
grounds that can only he called SO'alStIc, ana
that the issue whether Ireland shall have a Para-
mont Of her own is made TO turn on question
which disturb, or threaten to disturb, the whole
existing fabric Of social order q. W. ,.