Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1890 — GLADSTONE’S ULTIMATUM. [ARTICLE]

GLADSTONE’S ULTIMATUM.

He Says Mr. Parnell Must Withdraw from, tlie Leadership* [London cablegram.] At the request of Mr. Gladstone Mr. Morley has communicated to Mr. Parnell the following letter, written Monday: Dear Mr. Morley: Having arrived at* u certain conclusion with regard to the continuance of Mr. Parnell’s leadership of the Irish party, I have seen Mr. McCarthy on my arrival In town and have inquired from him whether I am likely to receive from Mr. Parnell himself any communication on the subject. Mr. McCarthy replied that he was unable to give me any information. 1 mentioned to him that In 18 2. after the terrible murder in Phoenix Park, Mr. Parnell, although, totally removed from any idea of responsibility, had spontaneously written me and offered to take the Chiltern Hundreds, an offer much to his honor, but which I thought it my duty to decline. While clinging to thehope of a communication from Mr. Parnell, to whomsoever Addressed, I thought It necessary, viewing the arrangements for the commencement of the sossion to-day, to acqulnt Mr. McCarthy with the conclusion at which, after using all the means of observation and reflection in my power. I had. myself arrived. It was that, notwithstanding the great services rendered by Mr. Parnell to his country, his continuance at the present moment in the leadershiu would be productive of consequences disastrous in the highest degree to the cause of Ireland. I think I may be warranted in asking you so far to expand the conclusions given, above as to Mr. Parnell’s continuance as leader would not only place many hearty and effective friends of the Irish cause in a position of great embarrassment but would render my retention of the leadership of the Liberal party, based as it has been mainly upon the prosecution of the Irish cause, almost a nullity. This expansion of my views I begged Mr. McCarthy to regard as confidential, and not intended for his colleagues generally if he found that Mr. Parnell contemplated spon-taneous-action ; but I also begged that hewould make known to the Irish party at their meeting to-morrow that such was my conclusion. If he should find that Mr. Parnell had not In contemplation any step of the nature indicated. I now.write you in. case Mr. McCarthy should be unable to communicate with Mr. Parnell, as I understand; you may possibly have an opening to-mor-row through another channel. Should you. have such an opening I beg you to makeknown to Mr. Parnell the conclusion stated In this letter. I have thought it best to put. It in terms simple and direct, much as I. should have liked, had it lain in my power, to alleviate the personal nature of the situation as respects the manner of conveying, what my public duty ha » made it an obligation to say. I rely entirely on your good feeling, tact, and judgment. William E. Gladstone. It transpires that during the trial of;’ the O’Shea divorce case the Nationalist members of Parliament pledged themselves to support Mr. Parnell whateverthe result of the trial might be, and not to consider the sentiment of the English. Liberals in the matter. Sir Charles Russell, in a speech at. Hackney, said that many Irish memberswere sad at heart because of the calamity that had befallen the cause of Ireland. He believed they wished that; Parnell would bow his head to the storm and recognize the fact that he had inflicted a serious wound, upon the consciences of the people of both countries, and had damaged the cause for which he had fought so long. Several Liberal candidates have written letters announcing that they withdraw from the field, foreseeing certain., defeat. The Parnellites openly assert that they mean to stick to Parnell, even if they/ should delay home rule fifteen years by/ so doing.