The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-22
Mr.. Gladstone,s Final Trial.

| Never In his long public life have Mr..
GIApsToNE's energies been subjected to
| 30 severe strain as they are likely to
experience during the next ten days. He
has determined to apply the closure to the
debate ON the third reading OF the Home
Rule bill. and to compel final vote upon
the measure not later than the last day
Of this month. This will impose upon him
incessant supervision OF the Intervening
discussion and frequent intsrposition In 1t.
for some OF his fellow Ministers are but
lukewarm supporters Of his project. while
others lack the requisite authority to re-
press disaffec.ion in the Liberal camp. II
the proposal to give Ireland self-govern-
ment is not beaton at the last moment by
the treachery Of weak Gladstonians CO.
operating with the revolt OF the Parnellltes,
the result will be almost wholly due to the
infle1ibility Of purpose and amazing power
Of endurance displayed by the octogenarian
Prime Minister.
In the usual course Of procedure IN the
House Of Commons Mr.. GLADSTONE might
have rested from his labors after carrying
the Home Rule bill through the committee
stage. As q rule. the debate on the third
reading Of q measure. II any take place. is
brief and perfunctory. and the outcome Of
the final division is open to no doubt. The
pretexts on which the Unionists have re-
solved to pursue very different tactics In
this case are. first. that owing to the appll-
cation OF the closure only q fraction OF the
numerous provisions comprised In Mr..
G1ADsToNE's project were discussed In
committee; and. secondly. that two Of the
most important Of the provisions submitted
co. roiioolI1y OH aH IN
make the measure reported to the House
substantially q new bill. The Unlonists
hero have In mind the modification OF the
financial proposals intended to increase the
resources of the Irish Government at the
expense OF the imperial exchequer: and the
new arrangement. by which Irish members
Of the Parliament at Westminster. while
reduced In number from 103 to 80 will re-
tain the power OF speaking and voting on
all questions. as well those dealing e1clu-
sively with English. Welsh. or Scotch az
fairs as those relating to imperial concerns.
1t Is on these two new features. inserted
In the bill while it was passing through
the committee stage. that the whole force
OF the Unionist attack will be concen-
trated during the next ten days. Mr..
CHAMBERLAIN and Mr.. GosCHEN. Mr.. BAL
FOUR and Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL. are
certain to make the most OF the objections.
whose FEASIBILITY can be upheld by quota
lions from the Premiers own speeches.
made when he was e1pounding his scheme
in its original form. Both Of the changes
inveighed against, however. can DO defend
ed on the score Of expediency, and IL Mr.
GLADSTONE had only his avowed opponents
to deal with. he would have nothing to
fear. The danger Is that his own followers.
who were only with difficulty held together
during the committee stage. can be con-
trolled no longer: that either the old-fash-
Toned Liberals who from the outset have
looked askance at the whole project |
Of homo rule. or else the Radicals.
or the Welshmen. or the Scotchmen,
all of whom care more for their own
interests than for Irelands. may at
the last moment desert their leader. 1t !
would need but the detection of few OF
them to bring to naught all Mr.. GLAD
STONES labors, in view Of the fact that the
nine Parnelllte members have been In |
structed by convention of their party to
throw their strength against the first and |
probably the last resolute effort to restore |
to Ireland legislature Of her own.
1t ls upward of seven years since Mr.. |
GLADSTONE made up his mind to give home |
rule to Ireland. Whether now. at the su-
preme crisis Of the struggle. he Is destined |
to triumph or to succumb to mutiny upon
the part OF those who ought to follow him.
the day will surely come when Irishmen
throughout the world will recognize with |
passionate and deathless gratitude the
magnitude Of their Indictment to his un-
selfish and unAinching friendship.