Omaha daily bee., 1888-05-09
Gladstone Proving to Be the Under
Dog in the Fight.
THE POPE AND THE GOVERNMENT
Probable Effect of the Rescript-A
Proposed Tory Concession-Even
Parneli Growing Discouraged
A Compromise in Sight.
Gathering Clouds.

could have imagined. This is a great change
from the position he asserted after the last
general election, when he maintained that
his defeat was but slight and temporary. He
now takes despondent view of the future
All the more wonderful is it to see the re-
newed vigor and energy he has suddenly i'm
parted TO the contest. Opinions differ widely
upon his policy, but for the man himself it is
impossible not to feel an admiration. Night
after night he is necessarily brought into
comparison with the tory leader Smith, and
we who look on feel that 1t is
q most unequal contest Yet in par
lament not eloqucnce, but members
decide at last. The veteran leader sees that
giants strength cannot prevail against a
ministerial host, nor can he, with all his
genius, lure back the seceders. True, the
condition of the struggle in which he en-
barked with light heart two years ago are
now fast becoming visible to him. A certain
section of the Gladstonians are still conf
dent of recovering the allegiance Of the lib
eral unionists, hence this project of sending
Chamberlain to wander in sweet simplicity
through the new forest with Harcourt and
Morley. The millennium is to take place in
Arcadia. The lion and the lamb are to lie
down together and little child named John
Morley is to lead them.
The mere rumor Of another attempt to cap
ture Chamberlain has sent thrill of disgust
through genuine radicals. 1 have talked
with many of them and there are not two out
of the whole number who do not feel the pro-
foundest distrust of Chamberlain and the
deepest repugnance over the thought of act
ing under him. Let HIM come back on our
terms" they say, "and we may admit him.
We would not have him even if he could in
stall US in power tomorrow. If Harcourt
chooses to make a fool of himself let him do
so. He shall not make fools Of u.s." That is
the attitude of at least hundred sturdy
Glaastonians.
What about Chamberlain himself9
Like Joe Bagstoeb this Joe is sly, devihsh
sly. He too begins to see that he is making
no progress. Soon he must take the tory
shilling and initiate Goschen or be left with
out any party except Jesse Ceilings. There
is no more honor or glory to be got out of at
tacking Gladstone. The old chief is down
and it looks bad for those whom he made to;
be perpetually rushing forward trying to
stab him. The public like fair play and
Chamberlain is compelled, perhaps reluct-
antly, to humor their prejudices on that
point. There is apparently no place for him
in the old home. If Harcourt insists upon
finding one he will have to face a formidable
opposition among the family at present
assembled there. His authority is not
SO absolute as that he can afford
to take many liberties. AS swashbuckler
he is not without his value, but nobody re-
spects him.
AS for the nationalists they are naturally
and properly true to Gladstone. Irishmen
are seldom ungenerous, and they feel that
the great leader has made enormous sacri-
fees for them. For their cause he has staked
everything, and now that he has lost they
will not desert him for the sake of making
peace with Chamberlain. Their position was
never more difficult than at this moment.
The pope and the tories form a menacing
combination. How far the pope's decree has
been influenced by desire to establish dip
lomatic relations with England we do not
yet know, but few believe that the Duke of
Norfolks recent mission to Rome, fol-
lowing upon Mgr. Persco's visit to
Ireland was purely accidental. Lord Sails
bury is no mean diplomatist. The Irish
clergy cannot, in body, revolt against the
holy father. Not again will it be possible
for the whole body of congregation to rise
and leave mass when boycotted person
makes his appearance in the chapel. No
archbishop will dare to recommend the plan
campaign. Depend upon it, there will be of
few DIR. McGlynn's found in Ireland.
At the most critical period of their history
the nationalists have to fight the vatican as
we'll as a powerful tory government. They
never before had to encounter such fearful
odds, and Parnell in failing health and spirits
sees his life's work in imminent peril of
being totally undone. Perhaps compro-
mise may still be possible. Chamberlain has
plan, not of conceding a separate parliament
to Ireland, but of yielding good deal in the
way of local government. To be sure he
tried to thwart Churchilrs very moderate
proposal the other day, but that is only be-
cause he brooks no rival, 1t must be Cham
berlain first and the rest bringing up the
rear. Better will it be for the nationalists
if they are not obliged to accept Chamber
lains terms. Having gone so far they had
better postpone their hopes indefinitely
than to be chained to the wheels of the
Chamberlain chariot. That 1 know is their
present feeling and who can say that they
are wrong If their brethren, O'Brien, Cox,
Blame and others are in prison, who has done
so much to send them there as Chamberlain
The whole situation is one of the most COM
plcated ever seen in politics. When Glad
stone himself sees no way out what can
lesser men think. Often hear radicals say,
What a pity the home rule bill was
pressed to division. Why did we
not urge Gladstone to withdraw
it and bring in resolution
as he did about the Irish church pledging the
house Of commons to an abstract principle and
then introduce anew measure in an autumnal
session. People will cry over split milk
One thing and another has set the country
against the very name of home rule. Glad
stone has fairly frightened the people by his
talk about home rule for dear old Scotland
and gallant little Wales as well as for Ireland
A division worse than that which threatened
the northern states in 1861 looms large
before the vision of Englishmen, Every
man must have his own opinion. Mine is
that general election would leave the Glad
stonians in worse plight than they occupy
now, so deeply stirred is public feeling by
the fear of seeing separate partiaments
spring out of the soil like armed men. There
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