New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-15

priest who took anything like a prominent part
in the election That depends on what you con-
slider a prominent part Others than Mr.. Davitt
might think that the eighty priests who appeared
in a solid black body the platform of pub
lie meeting were taking rather prominent part.
So Of the hundred priests who on the plat
form at Waterford. So of the far mere numerous
band who canvassed daily for Mr.. Flavin. sped
upon Mr.. Redmond's convassers, stood sentinel
at the polling booths, paraded In a procession
armed with blackthorn sticks. told electors how
they must vote, invoked the authority of the
Church in behalf of Mr. Flavin and against Mr..
Redmond, and brought to bear upon the con-
science of voters the terrors which the Roman
Catholic Church and her ministers know how to
WELD
These facts and many more were publicly
stated, were not denied at the time. and are not
denied now by Mr. Davitt. What he does is to
put coloring upon them, to interpret diem TO
his own liking. and to accuse his opponents Of
readiness to priestiy influence if they could
get it. / dare say they would The tn quoque
is used in Ireland freely as blackthorns Canon
OMahony declared promises of support to Mr.. Red
mond not morally binding. Mr.. Davitt admits
it, justifies it,, and says that Mr.. Redmond broke
his promise. Ireland is country where two
blacks make white, or where to blacken your
But Mr.. Davitt does not and cannot, deny that
the Roman Catholic priesthood of Ireland, from
Archbishop Walsh down to Father Humphreys, Is
Anti-Parnellite is using spiritual means to compass
political ends, is in control Of the party machinery
and is using Home Rule for its own purposes
Mr.. Davtt hated and thwarted Mr.. Parnell, but
he would admit that Mr.. PaInell whatever else
might be said of linn, stood between Ireland and
the political domination of the priests He is
gone, and the priests are masters of Ireland or of
that party which has q majority in Ireland. Give
Ireland Home Rule tomorrow, and 1t would he
Home Rule with the yoke of the Church on the
necks of 100000 Protestants.
Liberal Unionists, who in spite of the exhorta-
tons of the GadstOnans refuse to disappear from
public life, have held a conference at Manchester.
1t was largely attended and full of enthusiasm
and confidence. Lord Harrington and the Duke
of Argyll spoke, Lord Harrington dealing in his
best manner with the Gladstonan threat to abolish
the House of Lords while emitting to provide
any other Second Chamber. His argument reads
like a paper of Hamilton's in The Federast.'
Like most English Conservatives, he goes to
America for his conservatism. The Duke of
Argyll, with his usual attention to facts, once
more showed how hollow is the cry for Home
Rule which nobody can or will define.
Mr. jackson has attended his first Cabinet
Council since his promotion to be Irish Secretary
lie has made his first speech to
his constituents at Leeds, to whom
he has to appear for reelection on
his acceptance of Office under the Crown The
Gladstonians have decided not to oppose him.
1t is admitted that. though his majority was
narrow one he could not be beaten, The
new Irish Secretary has stated his Irish programme
in a sentence. It will be my constant endeavor
to secure for all the subjects of Her Majesty in
that part Of her dominions the free exercise OF
all civil rights and the fullest measure of in
dividua liberty compatible with the enjoyment
OF similar privileges by their fellow-citizens"
There can be no sounder doctrine. and none more
directly opposed to that preached and practised
by every Irish Nationalist
| Mr. Gladstone declines the banquet offered him
by his French friends for espousing the cause OF
France against England in Egypt. Reasons OF
| prudence dictated by the OF his health pre-
! vent his acceptance. Other reasons of prudence
not dictated but presumably suggested by his
| political friends, had at least as much to do with
this refusal The care of his health does not
forbid him to speak in London on his way TO
Paris; but John Bull is still John Bull even when
he wears q Gladstonian garb, and Mr.. Gladstones
friends well knew what would be the effect in
England of his accepting a French compliment
springing directly from his anti English attitude
on a question of foreign policy. The negotiations
have been carried on in a curious way. Sir Ed
ward Watlyin was the medium, and the final tcle-
gram of refusal is signed by Sir Myles Fenton,
one of Sir Edwards Southeastern Railway hench-
men. Possibly the Channel tunnel was to nave
been a topic at the banquet.
The selection Of Sir John Gorst as Financial Sec
retary to the Treasury in succession to Mr.. jack
son. promoted, is a judicious surprise. Sir John
was the chief candidate for the Postmaster-Gen-
eraship, which was given to Sir James FERGUSON
II was believed that he had been passed over
because of his political rcstiveness, of his too
free handling of those Indian officials whom it
was his official business to defend and OF his
advanced views on labor questions. More proba-
bv he was put aside in Difference to objections from
Sir Arthur Blackwood and other prominent clerks
| of the Postofiice who dislike strong Parla-
mentary chief and wish 10 run the PcStoilice
machine in their own azysway. Sir John GoIst
in the Treasury will be much less dangerous to
his friends, and much less useful to the public
II is therefore, in the nature of things that nc
should 60 to the Treasury. He is an abe man, a
good debater, an eX-follower of Lord Randolph
Churchill, whom he deserted at moment he
thought opportune and has the ear of the House
Of Commons 49,
The time may come when the Treasury Will
! need all the able debaters it can rally TO lts
defence. At present it is the supreme authority
in this country II controls every other depart
mcnt ond is stronger than the Queen, Lords ana
Commons together Its tyranny is ruthiessly en-
ercscd, its power apparently permanent. III
brings to every question of public policy, OF ad-
ministration Of public convenience, Of National
defence. the one tOuchstone. Will it pay? MI
Reginald Brett, in letter exposing so'"e
of the incapacities Of the Admiralty ana 'he
Var Office has a good passage The real respoN-