The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-23
Mccarthy on Parnell.

lance to outward SHOW.
Mccarthy on Parnell.
When We recall the violence with which
the two factions of the Irish Nationalist
party assaulted each other at the recent by
election In Cork, 1t Is refreshing to mark the
respect and appreciation with which Mr..
JUSTIN MCCARTHY speaks OF Mr.. PARNELL
In tho last number Of the Contemporary Re-
rie,c Had nil OF Mr.. McCARTHYs colleagues
evinced the same maRnanimity after the
death OF their former loader. there would
have been no prctext for the angry recrimi-
nations which have distressed the real
friends Of Ireland and injured the home
rule cause.
1t is indeed. species of panegyrlc which
Mr.. MCCARTHY has pronounced in COM
memoration OF patriot whose services re-
ceive from him the amplest recognition.
and whose shortcomings are passed over in
view of the trugical close Of an illuetrious
career. Seldom has any man paid to another
tribute Of regard so discriminating and at
the sumo time so sincerely sympathetic.
No one can listen TO the generous words
without II conviction that only with deep
regret did their author renounce Mr.. PAR
NELL's leadership. and that he at ali events
may truthfully aver that he did it, not
that he loved PARNELL less, but because
lie loved Ireland more. In his attitude to-
wurd the man whose place he occupies
there is not the faintest trace OF jealousy.
and even the most wrong-headed Parnellite.
however unreasonably rindictive toward
other opponents of his chief, will perhaps
feel like applying to Mr.. MCCARTHY what
was once said Of BRuTUs:
"An the conspirators, snve only he.
Did that they did In envy OF great C!xs,R:
He only. in general honest thought.
And common good to all. made one Of them"
AS a matter OF fact. however. Mr.. Nc
CARTHY is by no means the only member Of
his party whose forbearance and sympathy
deserve cordial acknowledgment ut tho
hands Of Mr.. PARNELL's friends. The con-
duct and the utteranco OF Mr. SEXTON, Mr..
JOHN DILLON. Mr.. WILLIAM O'BRIEN. and
Mr. r. p. O'CoNN6R have been prompted by
the wish that only the virtues and not the
faults OF their departed comrade should
live after him.
There is a depreclative and there Is an
elevating discrimination. 1t is the latter
OF which Mr.. MCCARTHY gives proof in his
CSGluIdJo VI la. IAhNGLL uCulSNtIucuUS
and abilities. Thus he does not credit Mr..
PARNELL with the invention OF parlia-
mentary obstruction. pointing out that
minorlties had made recourse to that ex-
pedient ever since there was parlia-
mentary government in England. But he
goes on to say that, while others had used
the weapon for the purpose OF defeating or
delaying some particular measure, Mr.. PAR
NELL was the first to employ 1t for the pur-
pose OF obtaining q hearing for great
national cause. Then, again, to the ques-
ton whether Mr.. PARNELL was an intellec-
tual man. Mr.. MCCARTHY replies by draw
ing o distinction. There Is, he thinks. a
real. although subtle. difference between
q man Of intellect and an intellectual man.
An intellectual man In the literary and artis-
tic sense Mr.. PARNELL was not. He cared
nothing about literature or music and but
little about painting or sculpture. He took
no interest In the so-called problems Of life,
and he had but slight and vague knowl-
edge Of history.
Nevertheless. Mr.. JUSTIN MCCARTHY tes-
titles that one could not talk long with
Mr.. PARNEL1 without recognizing that he
was talking with a man Of commanding
intellect. Tho Irish leader never uttered
mere commonplace. He took in new ideas
slowly. but when once they got into his
mind they terminated. He had quick
and keen observation and remarkable
judgment ms to character. Especially does
Mr.. MCCARTHY bear witness 10 his power Of
looking across whole field OF politics and
compromising the situation at a glance.
He possessed. In other words. the instinct
and the genius Of a commander-in-chief. It
was In momentous and unexpected political
crises. when the situation was new and
there was no time to discuss it. that Mr.
PAPEELL's supreme qualifications for
leadership came out. Mr.. MCCARTHY
says that he never knew the former
head OF his party to make mistake In
strategy or tactics. when he was thus
suddenly thrown back on his own instinct
and inspiration. The more exciting the
conjuncture. the more severe the responsi-
bility. the brighter and calmer grew the
intellect Of the home rule commander. One
could always trust his judgment then.
Such illuminative concentration seems only
possible for man whose whole nature Is
absorbed In one patriotic purpose. We
infer from what Mr.. MCCARTHY tells us that
PARNELL was a man without any strong
likinGs and with scarcely any antipathies.
He was literally possessed-possessed In
the old Biblical sense-witll tho idea Of
carrying home ruio for Ireland.
Mr.. MCCARTHY has no wish to speak OF |