Two most important meetings of the National Radical Union were
held on Wednesday in Birmingham, with Mr. Chamberlain in the chair. At the first, held in the Midland Institute, a letter was read from Lord Hartington declaring that he saw no willingness on the part of Liberals to accept any modification of the Home-rule Bill of the late Government. " So far as they
are concerned, the defeated Bill is alone before the country." He thought that their only policy was to follow the Parnellites even in their methods, and their action would indefinitely postpone the settlement of Ireland on any basis which can be accepted by the people of Great Britain. "The alliance of the Liberal majority with a party which neither feels nor professes to entertain any affection or respect for the Parliamentary institutions of the United Kingdom, is daily weakening the authority of Parliament and the public estimation in which it is held." Liberals expected popular and beneficial legislation from the energy of a reformed Parliament ; but in the vain attempt to reconcile Irreooncilables, the Liberal leaders are indifferent to the dangers which threaten the whole system of Parliamentary government. Mr. Bright's letter, read at the evening meeting in the Town Hall, is quite as strong, and more bitter. He-writes that he believes the Union cause to be advancing, owing to the electors' disapproval of the partnership between Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Parnell. Mr. Gladstone, after three Administrations had perished in a twelvemonth, appealed to the people, who returned a majority, excluding the Parnellites, of two to one against him, or, in- cluding them, of more than a hundred. Nevertheless, Mr. Gladstone, instead of submitting, abuses the majority, and having turned his own coat suddenly, has no patience with those who, at his bidding, will not turn theirs too. The great sur- render is to be made to men like Mr. O'Brien and the owners of United Ireland. After a description of the Parnellites which will be found elsewhere, Mr. Bright concludes by expressing his belief that many Liberal Members now follow their leaders with relnotance, or with "a feeling not far removed from loathing."
