New-York tribune., 1891-04-22
THE PREMIER ON IRELAND.
,opp sALIsBURYS SPEECH AT TIE ANNUAL
MEETING OF THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE.
xHE SUCCESS OF EITHER FACTION OF THE
IRISH PARTY. HE THINKS, WOULD BE
HEAVY BLOW TO THE EMPIRE-cRITI-
c1srYG THE ACTIVITY OF THE
op,rSrc rprsH p0rJTTCS.

PRIESTS IN IRISH POLITICS.
rondon. April 2l.-The annual meeting of the
c,and Habitation of the Primrose League, or
a.r;zed in honor of Lord Beaconsfield, and with
sSs nurpose of propagating the Conservative
soo,rines which he advocated, was held at Covent
co,den Theatre; this city, this afternoon. An
,mrense assemblage Of Conservatives, which in
.rded many of the best known men and women
n England, was present. The appearance OF
To,a Salisbury, who presided at the meeting, was
u,seted with enthusiastic cheers. The Countess
- padner. wife of the Earl of Radner, Treasurer
- Her Maiesty's household, opened the meeting
9TH n 500, singing the National anthem God
Save the Queen" the great audience present JOIN
,ne In the refrain Lord Salisbury, who was
ioudly applauded upon rising, then addressed the
meeting in what appeared TO he carefully pre-
nared speech. He sketched the origin, birth ana
growth Of the Primrose League, saying that II
now numbered 100000 members, statement
which was warmly applauded.
Referring TO the political situation. Lord Sails
hurry said that, though the present aspect OF
affairs was encouraging, the Conservatives must
mot doff their armor. The Irish question was one
which this generation must solve. Lord Salisbury,
however did not believe that the COM
ing general election would solve the ques-
ton, adding that, whichever way Uhe
elections went. he could promise that the other
party would have no rest so far as the Irish
question was concerned. Great cheeringl
Continuing, Lord Salisbury said that thanks to
Mr.. Balfour, there had been five years of resolute
government in Ireland, which country was now
enioying a state of peace and prosperity which it
had NOT known for wears The Times" Lord
Salisbury said, had done enormous service to the
community at large in showing Mr.. Parnells con-
nection with the most violent Irish agitators.
The sneaker also said that he would regard Mr..
ParnelIs success as one of the greatest blows
which the Empire could receive, and, he added,
the success of the -Parnelites would be no less
injurious
They knew, Lord Salisbury went on. that Mr.
Parnell had the sympathy, and that he received
the money, of American cOnspiratOrs, While MT.
Mccarthy, they were also aware, represented the
secular efforts Of some people who held high
spiritual rank in the Romish Church. (ApplauseJ
After the applause which his last remark called
forth had subsded, Lord Salisbury said that he
had not the slightest intention in anything which
he had said Of speaking Indignantly of Roman
Catholics, but he desired to warn them OF the
dangers which arose from the ministers or any
religion using their positions as religious teachers
rs means of figuring as political leaders. CheersJ
He thought that the reverence and respect due
to the bishops would disappear when they had
behind them the familiar features of Mr.. Sehnad,
horst (the organizing chief Of the Central Liberal
Association. 49,,
Could they imagine continued the orator; the
Archbishop of Canterbury summonlng the FroI
estant clergy TO resolve upon change IN the lead
ership of the Conservative party? uAughterl
He would certainly demur at such an exercise oi
Influence. and he would not be alone in demur-
ring Imagine an English clergyman denou1cing M
from the altar every Liberal in MS PARISH ana Inc
London clergy leading their submissive nOGsS
in case they refused In Great Britain TINS was was
impossible Yet the English electorate were asHe. %
20 place Ireland under this hybrid, secular, eGce
sisstical power. In so doing they would place
their brethren of the North OF Ireland unuer a
novel. monstrous power, from which they wouIu
receive no mercy. Cheers ,;,,,, .
Lord Salisbury closed his speech by aGVlsliig - q
Courageous, unfagging pursuit OF the 99JecoS anu
aims Of the Primrose League Society. & nere %et
times of great danger before them Inc socieeS
had great cause to maintain 1t had been flSfo t
nm AZ n critical period of England's necesslues 10
defend principles having the sanction OF centuries
and thus defeat the wild, fantastic
which were leading astray many communities III
many parts of the world