Los Angeles herald., 1890-11-29
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER go, 1890.
PARNELL PLAYING A LOSING PART.

1t is inconceivable that man of Par
nell's political astuteness should want
to retain the leadership OF the Irish
party in the face of the positive opposi-
tion of the English Liberal party, and
the evident desire on the part OF his own
colleagues that he may be able to see
the necessity OF his retirement. His
ishness we had not before suspected in
Parnell. No man can rise above pub
lie sentiment, and it is especially unfor-
tunate that one who has it in his power
TO help or injure great national cause
should for moment place his own per-
sonality or feelings in the balance
against that cause. A man of large,
broad and comprehensive principles
would certainly not do so, and
we have heretofore given Parnell
credit for those principles. He has
certainly been a great leader, and has
exhibited a force of character in his
championship of the rights of Ireland
which give him the highest claims upon
the gratitude of his countrymen. Yet
he dwarfs himself and furnishes his
record when he fails to appreciate the
fact that his dogged persistence en-
dangers the great cause for which he
has worked so long and so splendidly.
For, after all, where is the credit to him
If after performing magnificent work
for his country he deliberately spoils it
and renders it nugatory by an act OF su-
preme selfshness?
If others than himself were to blame
for the situation in which he finds he
is placed, there might be some reason
for his sullen attitude. But his party
has been loyal to him in every emer-
gency; it has followed him with har-
mony and fidelity such as has never
been witnessed befure in Irish leader
ship; and even now it clings to the
shadow OF hope that he may unseal
his lips and give his friends
some explanation OF his conduct that
will enable them to face the moral
world with a decent line of defense.
This last relief, however, his colleagues
can hardly hope for. Whatever the mo-
tive for his silence, and whatever of a
condonatory character may lie behind
it, it is now too late to change the set
tied conviction OF the public He is un-
fortunate if he is impeccant, but as the
world goes his silence is looked upon as
q confession.
But if Parnell stood ready to resist
any demand from his own immediate
followers to withdraw, how can he ex-
pect to maintain his hold upon his own
party, if he persists to refuse to do so in
the face of the attitude of Gladstone and
the English Liberal party? If he should
do 80, it will be manifest to the whole
world that he considers himself before
his country-and when once he falls
from public esteem as a patriot, not only
his usefulness but his well-earned fame
will be gone. Look at his attitude from
any point of view, and it is not cal
culated to raise him in public esteem;
and however set he may be in his
purpose to hold his place at the head of
the Irish home rulers, he will ulti-
mately;be compelled to retire. He has
now a chance to do so gracefully; in
few days he will be forced to go, with
the further humiliation that his reputa-
tion for patriotism will go with him.
The temper OF the noble English
allies OF home rule cannot be mistaken
they will not cooperate with the Irish
party if Parnell retains its leadership.
When Mr.. Gladstone felt constrained to
take positive attitude on the issue
every one may be assured that it is
very grave one. The Liberals, under
the leadership OF the ''grand old man,"
were to all outward appearances, going
on to certain victory. All the indica-
tions furnished by the elections up till
the Parnell scandal, pointed that way
As the case stands now, if Salisbury
were to dissolve parliament, the Tories
could scarcely fail to achieve an un-
precedented triumph. The temporary
retirement OF Parnell from a leadership
in which he could no longer hope to be
effective would seem to be called for on
every patriotic consideration. The fate
of one man or of score of men counts
but trifle in the scale as against the
interests of whole people.