New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-11
GLADSTONfAN VICTORIES.

If Lord Salisbury has been contemplating an
early appeal to the British electorate he Will
probably. in the light of the last three by
elections reconsider the matter 1t certainly
has seemed since the Parnell exposure as If
public sentiment were crystallizing, if not posi-
lively in support of Tory principles, at least
adversely to those of the Opposition. Mr.. Glad
stones confession that Parnell was not man
with whom he could deal Inundated and dis
credited his party. 1t was an acknowledgment
that he had been tremendously mistaken in
his estimate Of the moral qualities of the Irish
leader. and the extent of his errors of Judgment
was subject that offered large opportunity
for destructive Tory criticism. The Gladston-
ians could say of course, that justice to the
Irish nation should not be made dependent on
MIR parnelps chastity, and if Parnell had been
effectually retired and the Irish party mad
continued in hearty accord, this obvious truth
would have sufficiently answered all criticism
But it was presently developed that the IRISH
were hopelessly divided that numerous sec
ton of them, by far the most aggressive and
the best organized had repudiated the Liberal
programme and were 1amorng for different
sort of Home Rule than that Mr.. Gladstone
had offered. That peculiarly appealing argu-
ment of the Liberal leader by which he based
his PROPOSALS on the unanimous demand OF a
great nation could not longer be advanced,
while, on the other hand, it was easy to show
not only that the Irish people did not know
what they wanted but that the smaller section,
which did know, wanted disunion, and the
larger section, which did not know, wanted
whatever it suited the convenience and pleas
ure of the Catholic hierarchy to demand. These
were the dangerous weapons that ParnelPs
treachery put into the hands of Irelands Tory
| foes
And for a time it looked as if they were using
them well. Several by-elections resulted dis
aStrously to the Liberal cause. Their forces in
| Parliament were fighting feebly and with little
purpose Tory legislation ran nimbly through
the House, quite without opposition almost with
out examination. Mr.. Gladstones advancing
age, the improbabiEty that he could endure
another campaign or live out another Parliament
| if he were returned to guide and control it, were
once more the subject ofTory exultation and of
Liberal doubt and dread. There were loud
rumors of dissension in the liberal council
chamber, of leaders pulling at cross urposes,
of Mr.. Gladstone and Mr.. Morley declaring for
one policy and of Sir William Harcourt and
the practical politicians insisting on another. II
i these tales we're not true, at least they had a
marked effect on public opinion, and the Tory
successes that followed so closely upon their
circulation were entirely in accord with public
expectation. And so, too, were the rumors OF
an early dissolution, which, so soon as these
victories had been achieved, issued from every
Conservative circle in London
Much has been said during the haf-century
of his public career concerning Mr.. GladstOne's
tortuous methods and polite devices Tor logi-
oally contradcting himself and his enemies did
not fail to repeat all such tales and to prophesy
that in his present peril he would find way
of making peace with Tarnell. There can be
no doubt that after the Bouloene conferences
England listened anxiously for some decara-
ton from the Liberal chieftain concerning the
remarkable situation that Parnell, with his in