New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-22
MR.. D4YITTS WARNING.


Michael Davitt, with unerring discernment
Of the forces of Irish and English opinion,
warns Mr.. Parnell that he must give up the
leadership. This admontion, coming from the
organizer OF the Land League, an lrshman,
whose loyalty to the Home Rule cause has been
demonstrated by arduous service, innumerable
sacrifices and Imprisonment, cannot be dis
missed contemptuOusy as the vapOriDg OF
sickly morast like Mr.. Stead. Mr.. Davitt is
a practical man, who has addressed audiences
in every quarter of England, Wales and Scot
land, and knows instinctively that the success
of the Home Rule Cause will be imperiiled and
ieopardized by Mr.. Panelps defiance OF public
opinion. He tells his associates the plain truth
in a crisis when they are passing votes of conf
dence in their disgraced leader, and encOurag-
ing him to pursue an ignoble and selfish course
He calls upon Mr. Parnel to make the personal
sacrifice which is involved by his own immo-
rality, and to retire from the leadership in con-
sequence of the necessities of the political sit
uaton 1t is most fortunate that an Irish
leader of Mr.. Davitt's power and authority has
the courage and good sense to speak out with
emphasis at this time.
The TRIBUNE from its first issue has been
a loyal and sympathetic friend OF the Irish
people. 1t concurs heartily in this protest
which Mr. Davitt's Labor World' has made
against Mr.. ParDell's unmanly and unwlse
course. 1t warns lrsh-Amercans against
countenancing the pernicicus doctrine that prl-
vate morals have nothing to do with politics,
and that Catholic Ireland is not responsible for
the crime and immortality of Protestant lead
I nj vota r..
Parnell has played so base part be condoned,
and Catholic Ireland will become morally re-
sponsble for them. Let the leaders convic-
ton of the most shameless and treacherous
conduct be followed by an ELUSIVE display OF
loyalty to and sympathy with him, both in Ire
land and in America, and immortality will be
not only condoned but crowned. Will not
this be signal proof of the unftness OF the
Irish people for self government? Will it not
be certain to ALLEVIATE the support OF English
and Scotch constituencies In the approaching
elections? Mr. Davitt speaks words of truth
and sOberness when he asserts that Mr.. Par
nelis infatuated apologists are shaking the very
foundations upon which Home Rule stands in
England.
Mr. ParnelPs vindicaton costs too much.
they persist in importunng him to retain the
leadership their prodigality will beggar their
morality. They have shown their gratitude to
him for eminent public service by Rising an
immense testimonial fund and by making him
political idol. They have done this when his
fame WAS untarnshed they are not called upon
to offer incense afre5h when the idol has been
proved to be of clay. The plea of political
necessity is specious sophistly when urged on
behalf of the retention of the disgraced leader
Mr.. Parnell may have been necessary in the
earlier stages of the Home Rule movement, but
his services are not now Indispensable. Mr.
Gladstone is the real leader of the movement
| and he will be, not aided, but seriously en-
| barrassed by the presence and cooperation OF
sef-convicted adulterer. Political necessity
requires Mr. Panelfs retirement. This is Mr.
| Davitts argument, and it is unanswerable.