The Portland daily press., 1889-04-06
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LIBERALS.
'onn sright's Vacant Seat Gives a
Chance In Birmingham.
inc Enemy Divided and sulkIng In
Their Tents.
soulanger Issues Another Manifesto
from His Belgian Quarters.

/ LONDON, April 5.-The excltement in po-
itieal circles over the Birmingham contest
has by no means subsidized with ford Ran.
dolph Churchill's refusal Of the Conserya-
tive nomination. His decision Is deep dis
appointment to his personal friends, and to
himself also. In fact, II was not his decls-
Ion. He thought himself bound Ia a matter
OF such Importance to consult his political
associates, and after seeing the Birmingham
deputatlon he laid the case before Lord
Harrington, who Is both his friend and the
leader OF the Liberal Unionlsts, and Sir
Michael Hicks-Beach, perhaps his most Inti-
mate friend in the present ministry. They
thought it right to call in Mr.. Chamberlain
as the chief Birmingham representative
Ihere are obvious reasons why Mr. Cham
perlain might not be anxious to see Lord
he was opposed from the first to Lord Ran
dolpn.s candidature. These three gentle
men, however, agreed In the view that for
LORD Randolph now to step In as a candL
date Tor seat held by a Liberal Unlohist
might endanger the Unionist alliance
throughout the kingdom. They advised
against It on that ground, and Lord Ran
dolpn, having put himself In their hands.
could not refuse 10 be bound by their opin-
ION. he loyalty, but beyond doubt relue-
family, acceptedft. HIS ifiterests. his wisb-
es, the entreaties Of his personal friends and
the protest OF his political friends were an
put on one side. 81 viii do nothinR.1 he
said, against the interests Of the party on
the cause" He cannot lose In the long run
by one act Of self-sacrifce.
A single fact will show the extent OF the
enthusiasm for Lord Randolph In Birmlng-
ham. Before the Conservative Association
had met, but after 1t was known that they
meant to nominate Lord Randolph, Lord
Salisbury telegraphed them that he hoped
they would accept the Liberal Unionist can
didate, Mr.. Albert Bright, and one Of the
Tory whips went down to Birmingham 10
make sure that the Prime Minister'S wish
should be respected. The answer Of the
Birmingham Tories was the unanimous NOM
ination OF Lord Randolph. Well might the
Liberal U nionist organ in Birmingham re-
mark, as 1t did rather dryly, whether aware
Oh these facts or not. that there was no
necessary connection between the wishes Of
tne onlclal chiefs Of party and the views Of
the rank and file. Meanwhile the anger Of
M sne birmingham Tories Is beyond control
Ihey refused 10 receive the deputation from
the Liberal ni0nists, who thereupon def
nltely nominated Mr.. Albert Bright The
Tories met this by adiourning till next Mon
uay-a step which looks like throwing away
the seat. Lord Randolph advised them 10
accept Mr.. Bright. The party whips and
party leaders sent messages Of the same pur-
port, but to no effect. Passion rules SUI
preme, and the Liberals think they see a
good chance of winning a seat where they
are In an und0ubted minority. They are
nard at work while the enemy are sulking
In their tents, and no little alarm prevails at
the Tory headquarters In London. There Is
plenty Of other feeling also, and an exasper-
alton against Mr.. Chamberlain as the author
OF the present difficulty, which may have
striking results