The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-12
PARSONS AND SQU|RES.
Viciously Denounced by the Con-
ference OF Rural Liberalists
at London.
Down With Church and Land
lord" the Motto Most Heart
lily Applauded.
Gladstone's Speech Is DisappOinting--Ee-
trothal of the Duke of Clarence
Thereby Hangs u Tale.


resented with absolute fidelity the spirit
Of the agricultural element of Great
Britain. the country would be on the eve
of q social md political revolution. No
assemblnge of supposed representative men
ever held in England displayed such hos
tility to parsons and landowners; delegates
Boosting themselves az persistent parson-
fighters and denouncing squire tyranny
were cheered to the echo and their scorn-
full illusions to the patronizing airs of the
clergy towards the rural inhabitants keenly
rellshed. The entire sympathy of the con
ference was reserved for the motto dow n
With the Church and Landlord" Bnt it
would be misleading to infer from the
character of the conference that the rural
poor have deserted the church en- masse, or
have become infused with political designs
against the squrearchy. The conference
while indicating clearly and actively an OK
istent force, to be encountered with the
incoming elections, owes its greatest i'm.
portance to its foreshauowing fuvure
agricultural policy. When the spirit of the
delegates permeats the electorate the
hereditary privileges of landlordism and
churchism will vanish.
Gladstone's speech to- day was a distinct
disappointment, many delegates expecting
that definite assurance in regard to tho
liberal programme would be delared and
would include some of thsir aspirations
Some men, who urged immediate applica-
tion to England of tho principles of fair
play for rent, fxity of tenure, and free SALE
and others who wanted the abolition of
primogeniture and the limitation of the size
of estates. got only enlarged illusions to
the Newcastle programme. Gladstone
spoke throughout as leader who was sym
pathetic, but doomed not to lead in the
struggle in which his hearers were most
concerned. The chairnan's incidental
reference to Gladstone's projected trip to
Biarritz as ''journey to that beautiful
land' was misinterpreted by the audience
and brought tears to many eyes. Glad
stones own allnsion to the limitation Of his
physical powers and his sensibilitv of tho
disadvantage in which his party WAS placed
owing to his advanced years, caused re-
neWed emotion among his bearers. There
were many cries of mo, no: you'll have
long life yet" etc. Gladstone and his wife
will start on their trip on tuesday morning
and will reach Paris on Tuesday evening.
Arrangements for the marriage of the
duke of clarence and Avondale, were. it is
understood, discussed, by the cabinet to-
day. Although the act of 1889 bears spe
cial grant to the duke the ministers hold
that dowry can be granted the princess.
Gladstone and wife called at Marlborough
house to-day to offer congratulations on
the betrothal. The queen gave a dinner at
Windsor tonight to the duke of Clarence,
Princess Victoria Mary and the whole Teck
family. Current stories that the betrothal
is due to the duke of Clarence's persistent
love. under great opposition, do not agree
with court reports. On the contrary, it is
known that the duke of Clarence has long
boer. enamored of Princess Helene, of Or
leans. and that two years ago he personally
declared his passion to the Comte de Paris
and received assurance that Princess Hell
enc rsciprocated his love, and both her
father and mother approved the match.
Princess Helene then went to Rome to put
the question of her change of religion as
an absolute necessity before the pope
who. told her it would be impossible
that such a change should obtain
his remotest sympathy. The position re-
mained unsettled until the prince and
princess of Wales became alarmed over the
chance of the duke of Fife nearing tho
throne. Pressu o was then put on the duke
of Clarence. on every side, family and cab
met ,easons being adduced against an aili
ance with the house of France. This pres
sure led to his acceptance of Princess Vic
toria Mary, for whom he has shown q cous
inly liking.
Lord Salisbury has reopened negotiations
with the French foreign minister for the
settlement OF the Newfoundland fisheries
dispute. Il is reported that Lord Sails
bury, in return for the surrender of all
French rights in Newfoundland, wishes to
cede to France the Herver islands and the
colony of Lagos.
Gladstone's criticism of Goschen's one
pound note scheme has killed the chances
Of the bill in parliament.