New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-25
Il. CRISIS IN CANADA.
THE POLITICAL. PARTIES SPLIT ON THE
JESUIT ISSUE.
RELUCTANCE TO COME TO VOTE AT OTTAWA


RELUCTANCE TO COME TO VOTE AT OTTAWA
"THE TORONTO GLOBES" POSITION.
Ottawa March 90 (SpecieD.--An extraordinary trans
formation In the political situation has been sndaeaiy
effected by the pected somersault OF the leading
Liberal organ, THE Toronto Globe" on the Jesuit
question. Tho Liberal leaders up to March 10
refused to have anything to do with the agitation
Out Of the ninety 100 Liberal members Of the House
of Commons about thirty are French Canadians who
are Reds. Nationalist and Roman Catholics OF the
remaining sixty several Roman Catholics OF irish
origin. The adoption of tho Orange agitation against
the Jesus would therefore moan tho DESTRUCTION OF
the Opposition az q political party in Canada.
Tho Conservatives arc about 100 strong In the
Commons, by the help Of French Canadian Blues. who
are 10 Quebec what the Tories to the Dominion at
largo The Tory element Of tho party Is overwhelm.
ingy Protestant and within It's ranks are TO be found
tho only orau gemen who sit in Parliament They
arc not numerous enough. however, they withdrew
nom the party in body and went TO the Liberals
IN division to defoat the Government unless in
doing so they could carry with them half q dozen
or fellow Protestant Conservatives Of strong
Orange leanlngs 1t Is this latter danger Sir John
Macdonald confronted with in relation to Colonel
oDrien's revolution now on the paper At the secret
conference Of Conservative members held this week to
consider the resolution, Sir John, all reports
to the contrary Notwithstanding did positively threaten
10 resign and appeal TO the country. II Colonel
o'Brien carried the resolution to division. This
statement communicated by one Of the members
present 10 leading orangemen, who fearing tho Colonel
would weaken at once waited upon him 10 give him
backbone and urge him not TO yield. He was made
to understand that every Member Of Parliament who
voted for tho JesUts shirkcd duty any division
on this question would DO opposed by tho orangomen
who on this OCCASION the first In modern times, would
entirely disregard tho ties Of party. Colonel o'Bren
pledged himself 10 carry the resolution 10 . division
and mako no substantial change whatever IN t.
The Liberal rank and ale who ere Professionals.
have held several informal uootings 10 consider their
attitude ia the dl1culty J, recognized from the
first that owing TO tho Freloh sad Roman Catholic
alliances Of both parties, neither could without facing
disinteatlon take UP the ,o'Drien resolution. The
oDy practical alternative. the formation Of purely
Protestant party out OF tho members OF both parties
to have occurred simultaneously 70 many Protos
ans each sido Of the House But the suggestion was
generally condemned impractioable. Conservatives
and Liberals 1t contendod could never be induced
by single accidental issue. suddenly arising TO sink all
those differences Of principle which have divided them
into opposite camps II was admitted that Protes
tants might be Induced for special purpose, to sinh
ordinary political differences and unite against either
party and then go back inside their respective party
lines again But not so in this sntJesut agitation
Tho political alliances between French Catholics and
English ProtcstAnts once snapped for the promotion
one Of the parties 10 the contract could be
stored. Protestant and Catholic Conservatives the
ono side, and Protestant and Catholic Liberals tho
other once divided tho question OF Roman Catholic
supremacy over tho throne In Canada, could hardly
be expected easily TO reunfte So the leaders Of both
political organizations have carefully held aloof from
everything that could give the slightest ground fol
suspecttag them OF sympathy with tho soreheat
ProtestAnts .sad Of hostility to their cathOih sup
| porters -. ....s.s 3..,. .-..s.. ~ r-...,.
Sir John Maceop1ld's threat 10 resign the Premier
ship and appeal to the country was, II true, An al
tempt TO climb down from tho horns OF the dilemma
| ON which he found himself so awkwardy placed
scarcely worthy Of statesman Of bis usual sdroftDess
For an appeal 10 tho country on the Jesuit question
against Professionalism, matter under wh@ pretenct
II might Do cloaked, would be tho signature OF his owI
political death warrant Difficult as he might hnd !
| 10 side with his Protestant supporters against ma
Catholic followers, ho would find n stu more ojDicu
10 aide with Catholics against ProiestantS freciseiS
the eame il true OF the LIBERAL Leaders. Tbs 0clnt
the caso the sudden and unexpected declaration o
| The Globe which Is nothing X not the LloeIa
leaders mouhpiece, IN favor Of the Orange contenuot
that Tho Jesults Act Of tho Quebec Legislature n IN
onStItutional falls like bombsheu In the capital
II means that the Liberal leaders have recognized tht
| dawn OF new departure, and that the Liberal ane
! Protestant Orange Tories may Eoneeiorh 90 sine'
| against the Conservatives and Catholics. Here is AZ
| nTetty A political complication, involving religion
race National supremacy and other burning ISSUES
| az the most ardent sensattonalist could desire.