Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-21
VIII Parnell Retire?

The generous-hearted and grateful
Irish people through their press and pub
lie men are declaring their unalterable
determination TO stick to Mr.. PARNELL
II he will continue in the leadership.
This must be very gratifying to the
uncrowned king " Of Ireland, and will
no doubt cause him to pause and con-
slider. He will DO able to recall the
names of many trusted British states
men whose records were tainted with
folly and crime Of the description that
has brought him into specially unplea-
SAINT notoriety, though he will hardly be
able to find IN exactly analogous case.
Captain O'SHEA was his friend and he
dishonored him. This fault he cannot
repair by marrying Mrs. OSHEA.
Neither PARSELL nor she made any de-
fence in the divorce court and Captain
O'SHEA wen without opposition.
Now, can Mr.. PARNELL hope that
these facts will ever be forgotten? Oh
course not, and his opponents remem-
bering them Will lose no opportunity to
give him a stab. Much of his time in the
House will be taken up in self-defence
and the common cause is bound to suffer-
1t will rest with Mr.. PARNELL to say
whether he will continue in the leader
ship. He will not be ousted. This IS
certain. If he retires it will be OF his own
accord and from the sincere conviction
that some other man can more effectively
discharge the duties which have SO long
been performed by him.
A suitable successor cannot be readily
obtained Mr. PARNELL filed the place
exactly. Differing in religious views
from the majority of the Irish people, he
had their love and confidence IN most
remarkable degree. Often the victim of
spies, and sometimes of forgers, lie
went under clouds only to emerge with
q character shining brighter than ever.
He was able TO temper the mad impulses
Of extremists OF his party on tine one
hand. and on the other TO arouse the ln-
terest Of many who looked despairingly
upon the home-rule prospect. On the
floor Of the House he was nearly always
a match for the Governments best de-
baters. and it was chiefly his heroic stand
that brought TO his cause the support
Of Mr.. GLADSTONE. He came free out OF
a'hundrcd traps laid for him by his enc
mics. 1t was only when he met Mrs.
O'SHEA that fortune deserted him.
From King DAvID's time down there
have been other great men who have OF
Tended in this respect. but q citation OF
these precedents Will not do him any
great amount of good.
What he has to do in his relation OF
leader of the Irish Parliamentary party
is TO consider whether it will be better
for the noble people whom he represents
for him to "step down and out, or to
continue to act as captain OF the hosts
and take the personal assaults that Will
be made upon him as part punishment
for his transgression.
We think his inclination will be to re-
tire, and that it will be stronger month
hence than now, when he is buoyed up by
bushels OF letters and kilograms from
friends in every quarter of the globe ex-
pressing continued faith in him as the best
man to lead his party successfully. 1t is
well known, too, that his health is bad
and that for this reason many OF his best
friends have, from time to time, argued
with him that it bis duty to take respite
from his exacting and vexatous labors'
There is one man Mr.. PARNELh vii
have to consult if he purposes remaining
at the head OF the Home-R Rule members
This is Mr.. GLADSTONE. III "the ole
man" cannot longer cooperate heartily
with Mr.. PAsNELL then Mr.. PARNELI
mustg
After all the determination OF the
question will probably DO left to Mr.
GLADSTONE.