The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1887. THE "TIMES" CHALLENGE TO MR PARNELL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1543, 27 April 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1887. THE "TIMES" CHALLENGE TO MR PARNELL.

I Mr Parnell does not seem m any hurry to take up the challenge, which, m the face ot the whole civilized world, the London " Times " has thrown down to him by publishing what it alleges to be a letter from him to a political associate wherein Mr Parnell expresses his distinct approval of the cowardly murder of Mr Burke coupled with regret at the "accident " by which Lord Frederick Cavendish was murdered at the same time and place. Mr Parnell's mere denial of the authorship of such a letter simply counts for nothing at all It could hardly be expected that he would acknowledge its au hentictyi unless, indeed, he were prepared to retire instantly and for ever from public life ; but the only way m which he can vindicate his character from the stigma now cast upon it is by prosecuting the proprietors of " The Times " m a Court of Law for libel, when the whole matter would be sifted by an impartial tribunal. "The Times " invites Mm to institute such a prosecution, eminent statesman do ao likewise, the American and Continental newspapers point out that this is the sole mode by which he can prove his innocence, but Mr Parnell remains passive, notwithstanding that if the matter were brought before a Court of Law, it would not be incumbent upon him to prove that he did not write the letter, but the onus would rest upon 11 The Times " of proving that he did. So far as Mr Parnell is personally concerned, however, it is a matter of no moment to the mass of the British people whether he chooses to let judgment go against him by default or not, but the point of interest lies m the fact that Mr Parnell is the leader of the Irish National Party and his written approval of the murder of Mr Burke indicates the desperate measures to which that party is ready to have recourse for the purpose of attaining its ends, whatever jhose ends may be, for it must be borne m mind that the Irish National Party has never yet published any difinite programme or introduced any Bill into the Imperial Parliament for the purpose of giving effect to its views, so that is is only by the actions of the National League and the utterances of its leaders that we can infer the nature of its ultimate aims. The publication of Mr Parnell's letter is sure to strengthen the hands of the Salisbury Government m dealing with the party of disorder m Ireland, and Parliament will all the more cheerfully grant the increased police powers asked for m the Crimes Bill. It is high time indeed that the reign or terror and violence, which the National League has exercised over some parts of Ireland for several years were terminated, and peaceable citizens were allowed to pay their rents and exercise their personal liberty without danger of themselves, their wives or daughters being shot or maltreated, or of their cattle being maimed or destroyed, their crops burnt or injury done them m other ways. The restoration of law and Older is a matter quite distinct from the question of the right mode of governing Ireland. The first duty of every Government is to make itself obeyed and to protect peaceful citizens m the exercise of their rights. Coercion Bills affect criminals and not law a biding citizens, and the sympathies of all right thinking men will be with those who obey the law and not with those who conspire together to break it. We are glad to see that Mr Gladstone is urging Mr Parnell to indicate himself m a Court of Law. The English telegrams at first stated that Mr-Glad-stone was following an opposite course and was supporting Mr Parnell m his refusal to accept the "Times" challenge, but either this was a mistake of the telegraphist or else Mr Gladstone has become convinced by public opinion that a circumstantial charge, like that made by the leading journal of the nation, cannot be got rid of by a barren denial of its truth and that Englishmen will not countenance any cause which winks at assassination. It would, indeed, have been a matter of profound regret if Mr Gladstone had permitted \ himself to be so far led away by political feeling as to even indirectly aid m stifling an investigation into a charge which not only reflects m the most serious manner upon the personal character of Mr Parnell, but implicates the Irish National Party with the foulest ?f crinaes.