The record-union., 1896-05-24
Between English Non-Conformists and
Irish Catholics.
The Rupture Between the Liberal
Home Rulers and the Irish Parties
Complete-fiencefo Ireland viii
Have to Seek for What Home Ruie
1t Can Get i'm the Chamberlain
County Council Schemes.

LONDON. May 23-Despite the ef-
forts of the Liberal leaders, the pat
tie between the English non-Conform-
lists and the Irish Catholics, arising
from the latter's support of the edu-
cational bill is likely to be fought to
a finish. Over a hundred amendments
have been noticed against the main
proposals of the bill, which is now IN
committee. Some of these, relating
chiefly to the control of local boards,
came from the Conservative side. The
bulk of them, however, are Liberal,
aiming at modifying the force of the
sectarian principles, which is the lead
ing spirit of the measure
The Liberal leaders still make pre-
tension of reliance in the Irish votes to
assist them in divestinS the bill OF It's
sectarian character. All sections OF the
Irish party, while voting for the sec
ond reading, had pledged themselves
tc stand by the non-Conformists IN try
ing to obtain some protection against
the clauses which commit the schools
to the control of the English clergy.
Practically, their pledge IS worthless,
and is so considered by the Radicals.
Wherever the clauses concede to the
English clergy a dominating power,
they also grant the same to the Cath
Ollie clergy. The bill, being in its es-
sence a sectarian measure, all sects
having ostensibly their not equal priv
ileges, would require TO be thoroughly
emasculated before it would meet the
ideas of the non-ConfOrmiSts, VINO
maintain that the compromise on the
first educational bill Of 1870 is suffi-
cient to meet all claims, sectarian and
non-Sectarian.
There is now no doubt about the all
important issue of the Irish partys de-
sertion of the Liberals. The Irish are
Catholics first and home rulers a long
way afterward. They selected to deny
the first principle of home rule in fore
ins upon the English people message
partly English, that is detested by the
mass of the English electors. Their
promises to help amend the bill in
committee is rightly taken by the Rad
icals for what they are worth
Though the rupture between the Lib
eral home rulers and the Irish parties
is not publicly announced, it is not the
less complete. Henceforth Ireland must
seek fer what measure of home rule it
can get in the Chamberlain County
Council schemes, which will be the
crowning measure of the present Gov
eminent and the great final act OF the
existing Parliament.
The Liberals will enter upon a pro-
cess of rehabilitation, going back to
the old party Parliament as once dem
ocratic and national, freed from the
taint of Irish separatism and the sus-
picion Of socialistic tendencies, both
of which were the main factors of their
tremendous defeat at the last cleo
tiOns.
The Liberals can now look forward
TO a grand resurgence. Relief in the re-
cnverv of the party is seen in recent
adhesions to the National Liberal Cluo.
Last wear there was a decrease of over
300 in the membership. Within the
ouarter-vear Just closed that has been
made up, and what is more, the new
members are largely wealthy men
including most of the old Liberal
Peers and many Unionists. The "Chron-
icle" a few days ago telegraphed to Mr..
Gladstone. asking for guidance in the
matter In reply, Mr.. Gladstone says:
L blame the Irish a little, the non
Conformists more, and the Parnellltes
by far the most" making distinction
between Irish. and "Parnellites that
robody is able to understand, unless by
irish he means the anti-Parnenllites-
This reply has satisfied nobody Inc
peacemakers eagerly seize upon the
Irish promises to have the bill amended,
but, as stated. these are of no value, as
the event will prove. Those who are
against an open warfare agree with
the editor of the Chronicle" that home
rule is based upon British honor and
imperial interests, and is absolutely un-
affected by the present trouble. Never
theless. It is clear that the two wings
of the opposition will not work cordially
together again. The width of the chasln
is shown by a prominent article pub
lished in the Methodist Times" Thurs
day under the caption: THE Death OF
Gladstonian Home Rule y
The article said that when John Dill
ION sat down after speaking in favor of
the education bill, Gladstonian home
rule uttered its last sigh and died So
ends one of the most heroic, tragic and
distressing chapters in the history of
England. The Government intends TO
closure the bill by sections.
The Standard to-day says that the
struggle over the agricultural rating
bill is regarded as the prelude to the
struggle over the education bill, over
which the feeling is much keener. The
opposition intends TO resist every line
OF the measure. The moderate Liberal
press Is beginning to show dislike to
the present class of sectarian legisla-
tion.
The "Statist," referring to-day to the
increase in the German army. says that
the British Government. knowing the
dangers by which it is confronted. alb
solutely refuses to take warning from
the experience of the last few months
and prefers to throw largesses to the
landlords and clergy.
The permanent officers of the Board
of Trade. consulted by the Government
as to the advisability of an interna-
tional conference on sugar bounties,
have advised against England taking
the initiative in summoning a confer
ence The Ministers had apparently
forgotten, or never knew anything
about the last abortive London confer
ence. which sat for months wrangline
over preferential duties and cognate