The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-08
Charles stewart Pnrnell.

In an octave volume comprising 100 page
Messrs, Harper h Bros. have published tn,
Life Of Charles Stetcdrt FdrneU. by r. BARR
O'BRIES. This book is a complete record o.
the political and private life Of the great Irisl
leader by q man who was his intimate friend
for many years. In the opening chapter the
biographer traces the history of the Parnell
family from the reign of James l. to the pres
ent time. after which he proceeds to tell the
story Of Parnell's boyhood. and recounts the
incidents OF his early life. The causes which
influenced him TO enter the field Of politics and
to undertake to secure a repeal OF the union
between Great Britain and Ireland are set
forth at length. That part OF the narrative
which deals with Parnell's Parliamentary
career describes his political and personal
relations with Gladstone. Chamberla' n. John
Bright and Cecil Rhodes. Although the sub
ject's political work naturally occupies most
OF the STAGE at tho authors command. an ade-
qunte Idea is given OF Parncll as he was among
his friends and in his own home. The final
chapter contains an admirable appreciation OF
Parnell, considered as "a popular leader and
statesman. 1t Is this to which we shall invite
particular attention. We would first note. how
ever. Mr.. Parnell's estimate Of various conspic-
uous leaders. estimates that have peculiar
interest at this time. when tho official leader
ship OF the Liberal party is undetermined.
Mr.. O'Brien tells us that one OF the last talks he
had with Mr.. Parnell was about those Liberals
who had acted as lieutenants OF Mr.. Gladstone
and about the progress OF the Home Rule cause
In England. or Mr.. Gladstone himself he said:
Remember that Mr.. Gladstone is an old man.
He cannot live forever. / agree that he means
to establish some kind OF Irish Parliament.
What kind? That is the question l have al
ways raised. He will be satisfied If he gives us
any kind OF Parliament. He Is an old man and
he cannot wait. | am a young man and l can
afford to wait. l want a Parliament that we
shall be able to keep, and to work for our coun-
try. and II we do not get it this year or next I
can walt for ha I a dozen years, but It must be
a real Parliament when it comes. i grant you
all you say about Mr.. Gladstone's power
and intentions to establish q Parliament Of
some kind. but Home Rule will not come in
his time. We have to look to his sue
cessors. Who will they be? Name them to
me. and I will tell you what l Think His in
terlocutor named Mr.. Morley. Yes" said
Parnell. Mr.. Morley has a good record. I
have always said that. But has Mr.. Morley
any influence in England? Do you think that
Mr.. Morley has the power to carry Home Rule?
Will England follow him? Will the Liberal
party follow him? I do not think that Morley
has any GLOWING in the country" Mr.. o'Brien
said. We'll. there is Asquith. He is q coming
man. Some people say he may be the Liberal
leader OF the FUTURE Parnell replied. Yes, !
Mr.. AsQuith is q coming man. a very clever !
man; but he added. looking his companion In
the face. do you think Mr.. Asquith lie very keen
about Home Ruler Do you think that he will
anything for Home Rule? Mr.. AsQuith won't
trouble about Home Rule. take my word for
Mr.. O'Brien then suggested the name '
Of Campbell-Bannerman. who was reported to
be a very good fellow and who had made about
IA DNn1 mn Irish Cnnrato ry ou nrr - thao, 2
Yes" returned Parnell. with a smile. II dare
say he is a very good fellow. And. as an Irish
he eft things alone-a sensible thing
or I'm Irish Secretary to do. Iftheyd do not know
anything. they hal better do nothing. But"
lie went on. do you think that Campbell- Ban
has any influence? He Is not going to
cad the Liberal party. think he has no in
Lord Rosebery was next mentioned.
i know nothing" said Parpell. about Lord '
aosebery. Probably he has influence. But do
'ou think he is going to use it for Homo
iule? Do you think he knows anything
bout Home Rule. or cares anything about it p
Then Mr.. O'Brien fell back upon Sir William
iarcourt. "Ah!' cried Parnell. now you
ave come to the point. l have been waiting
or that" Turning fully round and facing his
he continued: What do you think
t Sir William Harcourt? He will be the Liberal
aader when Mr.. Gladstone goes. Do you think
e will trouble himself about Home Rule? He
7ill think only Of getting his party together.
nd he will take up any question that will hest
elp him TO do that. Mark what l Sayl Sir
William Harcourt will have to be fought again."
The appreciation OF Parnell. considered as a
leader and parliamentary tactician, to
'hich we have referred. was made. not by Mr..
'Brlen. but by Mr.. Gladstone. and was
rought out. partly in correspondence and
nrflU In a lpn1 rfNnrtau- xul.~I a-I 1--
n Jan. %. 10 v. when Mr.. Gladstone had
'ss than a year and a half to live. In reply
the question what it was that first attracted
is attention to Parnell. Mr.. Gladstone an I
~ered with much energy: "Parnell was the {
remarkable man | ever met. | do not say ,
le ablest man ! say the most remarkable and q
lie most Interesting. He was an intellectual 7
He was unlike any one l had
yer met. He did things and he said things {
alike other men, His ascendancy over his {
irty was extraordinary. There has never r
zen anything like 1t in my experience In the {
OF Commons. He succeeded In @
himself with very clover men. a
it'll mon exactly suited for his purpose. S
hey have changed since. I don't know why. C
seems to have changed. But in @
$ time he had a most efficient party, an OK q
aordinary party. The absolute obedience. O
g strict discipline. the military discipline In y
hich he held them. was unlike anything q
we ever seen. They were always there. they S
ire always ready. they were always united. A
ey never shirked the combat. and ParneIl b
Is supreme all the time" With increased b
hemence he repeated: "Oh. Parnell was a h
remarkable man, and most interesting. n
ion't think he treated me well at the end. but Il
= interest in him has never abated. and a
81 an intense interest in his memory now" r,
striking the arm OF his chair with his q,
he added; Poor fellowl Poor fellowl In
a terrible tragedy. l do believe firmly %
at. II these divorce proceedings had not OF
zen place. there would be a Parliament in Sc
,land to-day" In
subsequently. in the course Of the interview. b,
: OBrien asked Mr.. Gladstone whether, tu
er the divorce proceedings. he had consid- I'll
ID that Parnell should retire from pub 70
life altogether, CT only from the leader th
IN OF the Irish party? Mr.. Gladstone replied &C
follow From public life altogether. OF
ere ought to have been a death. but there as
uld have been n resurrection. do not say tie
h Nnitta a nnt;~ 1911