A long-threatened split in the Home-rule party will, it is
believed, be brought about by the action of the obstructionists. Mr. Butt has called a meeting of the party for next Monday, de- manding either that the new faction should be censured, or that his own resignation of the leadership should be formally accepted. His opponents, who have already denounced the moderates as "frothy leaders," "Parliamentary trimmers," and " masked poli- tical impostors "—vide Mr. O'Donnell's speech to the North- London Home-rule Association on Wednesday—intend, it is said, to propose Mr. Parnell as a successor to Mr. Butt, and believe they will be supported by the constituencies. We do not believe it, as the Liberals will then be reinforced at elections by the moderate Home-rulers, but we could find it in our hearts to wish Mr. Parnell's elevation to the desired post. He would find that responsibility for others weighted his individual action, and that a faction of still more enrage's opinions would very soon begin to hold him up to contempt. Mr. Biggar, for instance, who at this meeting said his object was not to obtain the good-will of England or Scotland, but self-government for Ireland, might, for example, head a second secession, with a "more energetic " policy of, say, hooting whenever an English Member passes an Irishman in the street. The Home- rule organisation is not of so low a character that, like some worms, it can be divided into two, and each section walk off as vital as before.
