New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-03
MR.. RALFOUES BoMBSHELL.

Mr.. Bafour's bombShell suddenly flung into
the field of English politics has caused con-
sternation in every quarter except the lrlsh
camp. Mr.. Panel's instinct is always une1T-
ing in an emergency. He never loses his self
possession. but acts with decision and discern
ment when connection and uproar have been
created by an unforeseen change Of policy.
He Immediately accepted Mr.. Balfours pro-
posals respecting the endowment OF Catholic
university in Ireland without being influenced
by the consequences of Radical resentment.
His action was grounded upon an intmtve
perception Of the disastrous results which would
follow if he were to oppose sweeping conces-
sions to the Irish Catholics The endowment
of a university in Dublin from the Imperial
Treasury is measure which inevitably would
be popular with the clergy and the mass OF the
population. He could not have antagonlzed
the movement without impairing his political
influence. Instead Of taking time for dehb-
Grafton he promptly welcomed the proposed
scheme of legislation and committed the Irish
members to its support. Mr.. Davitt, whose or
eanizng power is superior to his Judgment.
thinks that it was serious mistake for the
leader to acQuiesce so promptly in Mr.. Balfour's
vague promise of an endowed Catholic univer-
sity; but Mr.. Parnell only acted in this in
stance on the governing principle Of his career
as an agitator. He adheres with infexible pur-
pose to Home Rule as his ultimatum, but is al
always ready to accept from any Government.
party or faction concessions which are su6Stan-
tial gains to the Irish people. The university
endowment, if it be granted, will be set down
| by him to the credit of the Nationalist, who
have forced the English parties to compete
with each other in legislative proposals for the
| benefit of the island.
| The Radicals seem to have an erroneous idea
of Mr. Parnell's relations to English parties.
They affect to be angry because he refuses to
be bound by giyeand-take considerations.
They have made large sacrifices for him in
accepting Home Rule, and they choose to as
sumo that he ought in return to strengthen
! .heir hands in every political emergency. They
could have forgiven his refusal to abandon
Mr.. Gladstone on the question Of the Royal
Grants inasmuck as he was under the strong
est personal obligations to the Liberal Premier
who had introduced the Home Rule bill; but
they now threaten to break up the working al
lance with the Parnellites if Mr.. BalfOur S
scheme receives support from that quarter.
lDlS menace is perhaps gustllou ny INC leehh=
Of hostility to Treasury endowments of Cath
ole institutions by which the Nonconformists
in England and the Presbyterians in Scotland
are swayed. That element OF the Liberal party
revolted against Mr.. Gladstone in 1873 when
he proposed a weak university measure for the
benefit Of the hish Catholics; and it will I'M
doubtedly resent with equal luminosity any
countenance that may be given by the Home
Rule party to Mr.. Balfour's more radical pro-
posals. The Radicals in their own embanaSs-
, ment are naturally Initiated by Mr.. ParnelPs
attitude toward the new policy; but they hay.
no real cause for complaint, since he has al
ways declared with almost cynical frankness
that he was ready TO make an alliance with
any Government or party that would take up
a distinctivey Irish policy. lie has thrown
his weight first with one side and then with
another, whenever there was anything to be
gained for the Irish cause. In tho present
emergency he leaves the Liberal members t.
J deal with their own constituencies and
strengthens his own influence with the clergy
, and the Catholic population Of the island.
The Pamellites and the Liberals may be
found voting against each other in the Novem-
Der session Of Parliament; but the Conserva-
tives will have feuds and dssensions in theii
, own ranks which vii! 5ounteract the effect OF