Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-09-21
VIII Gladstone Abolish the Lordse

Daily Anne lea
What could be more perfectly IL
Illustrative OF the difference between
the British lords and commons than
their respective treatment of the
home rule bill? In the popular
branch OF the legislature Justice to
Ireland was ordered by 4 majority Of
81 votes in q full house. in the
aristocratic branch it was denied by
4l9 to Al, or majority OF SIS in a
total Of 400.
The significance OF this contrast
ought not To be lost sight Of. for it i
fuH CT eminous prophecy.
What the people OF the United
Kingdom want, a indicated by the
action OF their elected representa-
tiveS. tie aristocracy OF the kingdom
oppose with almost unanimous ac-
cllmation. The lines that divide the
British people were never before 50
sharply drawn. i apparent that
there can be little in common be-
tween the masses. who control the
empire. and the classes who subSist
upon the forbearance. s!uggishness
or timidity OF the people.
This overwhel ming majority. 10
which the lords spiritual was sum
moucd, doubtless by Lord Salisbury
with purpose. He wished to give
Mr.. Gladstone some idea Of the lob
he has on hand il he thinks OF pack
ing the house OF lords with new home
rule peers. To create SO new lords
at once in orde~ to carry the bill
through the upper house would prac-
ticaliy be to reyolutionize the gov
eminent and wipe out the conStitu-
titn.
But aquestiCu arises 1t once which
seems to have escaped the view OF the
Tory leader.
Between creating $40 new peers
and wiping the house Of lords out OF
existence altogether. there i hardly
q moral difference. True. Mr.. Glad
stone could not d. the latter without
the authority OF the people while he
might do the former with the con-
sent OF the sovereign. But the peo-
pie OF England are not. Just now. in
mood OF profound respect for that
odd mobilize. which their forcbearS
PRAYED to have left to them.
On the contrarv. Great Britain to-
dav i infinitely more democratic in
sentiment and character than she was
under the lord protector. She i in
tolerant even OF the aristocracv of
cash. and has little but contempt for
that of title. A movement on Mr..
GlaGstone'> part toward the aboli-
tion Of the hereditary house and the
substitution of an elective body com
parable with our own noble senate
noble in it tradi -ions. if not its pres
ent personnel AMI Practice~-would
be dangerously popular.
Whether home rule for Ireland i
sufficiently dear O the English heart
to make ii an excuse for this reyulu-
tiOnary measure. we do not care 10
affirm. Daily America has it, own
ideas on the subject and believes that
Mr.. Gladstone i leading 4 very spir-
itless and Indifferent public. But it
believes this. that if the success OF
home rule should ultimately he found
to depend upon the abolition OF the
lords. the prospect Of fattenin@ the
ancient grudge Of the people against
the pcerage would give an almost
enthusiastic impetus to the cause
of Irish sclf-govOrnment.
The question. then. i this: Has
not Lord Salisbury. in making
show Of strength against the bill. in
order to prevent the creation of peers.
overreached himself toy bringing into
immediate consideration the question
OF abolishing his order a. q legi,la-
tive factor2