New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-25
MR. TC4FTUY on HOME RULE.

A letter of more than ordinary interest ap-
pears in another column Of this mornings IT'D
une on THE Irish Cause-After the Elections.
1t Is from the pen of a gentleman whose name
Is sufficient to commend II to all thoughtful read
ers. Mr.. Justin Mccarthy needs little ntroduc-
ton to Americans who have long known him
we'll by his literary and political work. Nor Is 1t
necessary to offer any elaborate vindicaton OF
his title to the leadership of the Irish Para-
mentary party and Of the fitness Of regarding
him as the spokesman Of the Irish people. When
the Irish members at Westminster found them
selves deprived Of the once matchless leadership
of Mr. Parnell. the great majority OF them IN
stnctvely turned TO Mr.. Mccarthy as their
natural head. He not merely the most
available man. lie was he best man for the
place; best fitted by high character, sound Judg-
ment clear vision and long experience. Time
has amply approved the choice. Under his drec-
ton the Irish party mt Westminster has main
tanned its full measure Of usefulness, and its
constituents at home have lost none OF their
enthusiasm in their support Of II. In the late
elections. when the party once led by Mr.. Glad
stone was routed all along the lne-horse, foot
and dragoons-the party led by Mr. Mccarthy
lost nothing but actually won new ground Ii
would be idle. then. to dispute for Il moment his
place rs the foremost Irish leader Of the day
In the face Of the political revolution which
appcars practically tc have laid Home Rule upon
the shelf for term of years, Mr.. McCarthys
tone is distinctly hopeful. The Irish cause
stands. he SAYS where it did That is because
Ireland stands where she did. and Ireland her
self is the Irish cause Despite their domestic
ouarrcls. which Mr.. Mccarthy earnestly de-
plorcs-and Of blame for which, we may add. he
is of all the Irish leaders most free-thc Irish
people with the exception of Ulster. are almost
unanimously in favor of Home Rule. There is,
rs he well saws. no such unanmty Of sentiment
in England or elsewhere for any political object
not yet attained. Local option, land reform, and
the other great questions Of the day, are matters
Of party difference But In Ireland there Is Just
the one dominant question. and all the people
are on one side Of that. That is the circllm-
stance upon which Mr.. Mccarthy bases his faith
in the ultimate triumph Of Home Rule. He APP
prccates the loyal friendship and aid of the
English Liberals He believes that when they
again come into power Home Rule will be taken
down from the shelf and revivifed and enacted
into law He even considers it possible that the
Unionlsts themselves, in the present Parliament,
may grant Ireands just demands. as Disraeli
educated the Conservative party up 20 the adop-
ton of a reform bill which, as a Liberal pro-
posal, 1t had resisted tooth and nail. But his
chief reliance Is upon the Irish themselves. upon
their faithfuness to the cause. their persistency
and unanimity in supporting 1t, and, above ALL
the justice of their demands.
In that, we take it, Mr. Mccarthy strikes the
note Of true patriotism and high craftsmanship.
His words mean that Irishmen are TO adjust
their petty differences and settle their domestic
quarrels That they are more likely TO do now
than they were Il year ago. Being In the OPP
position minority will have modifying and
harmonizng effect upon them. No critic OF Ire
land has seen more clearly than Mr.. Mccarthy
sees the evil that has been done in these late
wears by fractional fights. No one condemns
them more unsparincly than he 1t will be al
most worth while he thinks, TO have six years
of Unonist rule If by that means all lrishmcn
can be constrained 10 get together" once more.
They are also 10 avoid violent and unlawful acts.
They are contending for a constitutional change.
and they must do SO Ivy constitutional means.
They must wait patiently. At longest. the
Unionist Parliament will last only six years. and
then the pendulum is likely to swing far to the
other side The six years may be dreary. But
the world will keep on moving ana It's progress
will mean the ultimate triumph OF the right
That is Mr. McCarthys view of the case, and II
is one the statement Of which will carry renewed
comfort and confidence to the heart OF every
true friend of Ireland and Of the Irish cause