New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-06

Iondon July 5-The verdict for the defendant
in Mr.. O'Donnels action against 4" The Times
satisfies nobody, except perhaps those, if any there
be. who had reason to dread coming disclosures.
Lord Colerdge practically stopped the case, and
is sharply criticised for doing it :" The Times
gets verdict which is consolation. MIR. ODon-
nell's reputation remains what it was. Nor is Mr.
O'Donnelrs reputation matter of prime interest
to the English public Everything pales in i'm
portance when compared with the new charges
brought by The Times against Mr.. Parnell.
The statements made yesterday by the Attorney
General are admitted by both sides TO be OF the
gravest character. The question is whether they
can be proved The main points alleged by the
Attorney-Genc in substance that MIR. Pat
rick Egan during the year before the Phoenix
Park murders in correspondence from Paris
with the Invincibles and with Mr.. Parnell; that
Mr. Egan told Harris that Mr.. Parnell was for
prompt. decisive action; that Mr.. Egan was send
ing Carey. one of the assassins, money, and asking
when they should get value for their money.
Then, early in ss2, comes letter from Mr. Par
nell, written in kilmanham Jail. TO Mr.. Egan in
Paris, beginning Dear Egan," and saying " What
are these fellows waiting for? They undertook
10 make il hot for old Forster Why don't they?'
Lastly. Frank Byrne admits in writing that on the
day which he fed from London Mr.. Parnell
gave him 100. These letters read by the
Attorney General to the jury, and would of
course have been put in evidence, when the genu-
ineness of some or all would have been denied.
The body of Mr.. Parnelrs letter from Kilmainham
is admittedly not in his handwriting, nor is it
known who wrote it, The signature is alleged to
be genuine How it came into the hands of The
Times is not disclosed nor. said the Attorney
General, would they, if the refusal cost them
a verdict. say how they got it. But they expected
IN hv nd Otb that fle sigma
ture was really Mr.. Parnclrs
He of course denies it, as he denied and still de-
nies the signature TO that alleged fac-simile letter
which has been so long before the public Many
other things are denied and everything would
have been for the jury. But on the issue as now
raised all men are agreed. If these letters are
genuine and these accusations true Mr. Parnell
will be driven from public life in England If the
letters are forged and the Egan and Byrne stories
not proved to the satisfaction Of the public when
occasion offers, The Times win have TO step
down and out, and the reaction in favor of Home
Rule may even bring Mr.. Gladstone back into
power. Failure to make good The Times's' case
would, in short bc regarded here as evident that
these charges were the result of conspiracy. But
to-day nobody -cza.ssy'a WHIST steps will next be
taken The situation is equally difficult for The
Times" and for Mr. Parnell. The Irish leader,
though repeatedly challenged has steadily refused
TO bring IN action for libel lie could not as Mr..
O'Donnel has DONE refuse to enter the witness
box. Once in questions would be put TO him
which he would have either to answer or to decline
to answer; and either alternative would be damag
ing He is not protected b. privilege as a Minister
or ex-Minister would be. Such Gladstonisns as l
have since the verdict say that they presume
Mr.. Parnell will content himself. he has done
hitherto, with blank denial of the authenticity
of the letters.
Mr. Forsters Life, published yesterday supplies
Unionist journals with text from which they
one and all preach ant-HOme Rule sermons this
morning. This book brings suddenly to life
those life and death issues in which Mr.. Forster
as Irish Secretary bore great part. His let
ters are admirable. They are the man. simple,
manly frank, and true steel The story of his
escapes from assassination read like so many ro-
manccs Their literal truth is now conceded.
But what the Unionists most dwell on is the
contrast here between the Gladstone Of sS1
and the Gladstone of to-day. His letters to his
own colleague, published, show the eager
advocate of that very policy which he condemns
hotly as practsed by the present Ministry. lie
dcnounces the League, upholds coercion, and con-
demns not only boycotting but combination If
the existing law did not make it illegal he is for
amending the law. Nay, he wanted in 1881 to
hold an autumn session 10 put down the League
his own fancy, he says. against the opinion of
the Cabinet. Many the points of contrast
now brought into relief 1t is pleasant to find
how Loyalty Mr. Gladstone for time stood by
his colleague, when he sacrificed him did
he do it without deep reluctance.
Putting politics and controversies Of every kind
aside, this cXcellcntly written life abounds in
interest Mr.. Wemyss Reid has done his work |
we'll and has done justice, so far as ! can Judge
thus carly, 10 one Of the best Engshmen OF his |
time. Mr. ForstCrS private letters show him TO |
even better advantage than did his public life. |
His utter sincerity. his unfinching courage his !
high AIMS, his readiness at all times to sacrifice |
himself TO a cause he had at heart, Lis perfect |
Independence his astonishing ability, and his still
more astonishing power Of work,-these and many
other fine traits and qualities are now more than
ever before clearly visible Americans too will |
find many new proofs of his abiding friendship !
for their country.
The Fourth Of July was duly celebrated in
London by an afternoon reception at the American
Legation in LOwndcs Square. Some six or seven
hundred guests, mostly Americans responded to
the invitations sent out by the American Minister
and Mrs. Phelps. The American bishops came in
force, and so did the delegates from the Presby-
terian churches Of America The staff Of the
Legation all on duty, and their wives also, all
the afternoon. The house decorated with
American bunting and American portraits among
which Mrs Ceycland's attracted most attention
All the rooms on two floors were open, but the
crowd at times enormous. Efforts were made
that invitations should reach every American who
had called at Che offices OF the Legation in Vic
toria Street or at tho Minister'S house Cards
were sent out as late as o'clock yesterday after
noon. The hospitalitcs a scale that can
only be called American
The American Club marked the day Dy a
dinner, at which Mr. Latlirop. the American Min
ster 10 Russia Dir. White, Secretary Of the Le-
CATION in London Mr.. Waller, the Consul-CcneroL
bnd other officials present. The largest rooms