THE Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1891. DEATH OF MR PARNELL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2265, 10 October 1891, Page 2

THE Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1891. DEATH OF MR PARNELL.

“ Let nothim; but good be said of the dead.” Only a very short time ago, and Mr Parnell's death would have caused the deepest grief, not only to his compatriots but to all sympathisers with I Home Rnle throughout the world. As it is, his sins will now be buried with his bones. He erred, but, looked on from a worldly point of view, his error was pardonable, moreover, as comapred with the services he rendered his country it was indeed insignificant. Some of Englands greatest statesmen, soldiers, and sailors, have been guilty of a similar offence, without exciting much comment or causing any great loss of prestige to them. His case was not worse than Lord Nelson’s for instance, and his name is still spoken with reverence and affection by his countrymen throughout the world. Mr Parnell’s countrymen therefore may fairly be pardoned for forgiving his shortcomings, and remembering only the good he did. His services to his country were extraordinary. He found her bleeding at every pore, lifeless, as a corpse on the dissecting table, torn by factions and feuds, the subject of gibes and jeers for her enimies, and a stepping stone for the unworthy to mount to place and power. He united all her forces, and made her not only respected but feared in the House of Commons, where hitherto she had been the subject of scornful neglect and lordly indifference. He also extracted from that chamber concessions for his country, which his political predecessors never dreamt of as possible. Pair rent and fixity of tenure were the highest flights to which Irish ambition had previously soared, but Mr Parnell secured for the Irish tenantry more than this. He obtained for them compensation for improvements, and, in fact, made them partners with their landlords in the soil. He too, piloted the great Home Rule question, until the helm was taken in hand by the greater and more experienced commander —Mr Gladstone. He secured better homes for Irish working men, and did a great deal more good than we can enumerate just now. Added to his services to Ireland should be the humane measure which abolished flogging in the navy, in the passing of which he was chiefly instrumental. But his unfortunate error had destroyed his usefulness. He never again could possibly exercise any influence in Ireland. Ho might have been able to do a great deal of mischief, but his usefulness was a thing of the past, and therefore, looking at his death from a Home Rule point of view it cannot be regarded as otherwise than the best thing that could have happened. We do not wish it to be inferred that we rejoice in it. We merely mention it to show the effect it will have on that great question. It was plainly evident that Mr Parnell instead ot retiring, would run candidates of his own at the next general election. The result of this would be that the vote would be split up, and that in some cases landlord nominees would be elected. In that way Home Rule would be weakened, if not killed. The death of Mr Parnell has therefore solved the difficulty, and Ireland will be united once again. A cablegram tells us that a prominent Parnellite says the breach will be made wider than ever, but this may be regarded as nonsense. What principle has the Parnellites to fight for 1 The split arose through the great majority of the party deserting Mr Parnell, and the minority who followed his fortunes were prompted in doing so out of a spirit of loyalty to him, and not because there was any principle at stake. Mr Parnell is dead, but the cause of his country still lives, and men who showed such loyalty to their cl]ief are not likely to prove traitors to their country. To talk about the death of Mr Parnell widening the breach therefore is to talk nonsense. The breach was Mr Parnell himself; he is no longer in the way, and therefore there can be no breach. The effect will be good in England also, where the split Would be likely to do harm during the approaching elect ion, The Tories have been using Mr Parnell,s name ft 3 a stalking horse, to weaken the influence of Mr Gladstone. They would make use of him at the coming elections, which cannot be delayed much longer now, and without doubt that cry would have some effect. Th? question will now be reduced to Home Rule, pure fl’.ld s i m ple. unhampered by any other consideration; there will be no side issues and therefore nothing to frighten the timid. Mr Parnell’s death clears the atmosphere for the coming elections which can now be fought on comprehensive lines.