NORTH KILKENNY ELECTION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 14, 2 January 1891, Page 17

NORTH KILKENNY ELECTION.

Under the circumstances, the result of this election must he gratifying to all patriotic sober-minded Irishmen. They will no doubt regret that a necessity for opposing !Ur. Parnell has arisen. .Reluctantly and sorrowfully we have been forced to the conclusion that it could not be otherwise, all things considered. It is another illustration of the truth of the teaching which impresses on men the obligation and wisdom of carefully avoiding dangerous occasions. Our recollection of the many and great services rendered to the cause of Home Kule by Mr. Parnell, and our gratitude for these invaluable jpervicef-, check the evprepsicn ol our indignation at what is

not only criminal and dishonourable, but I lind and fatuous, in one holding the position he did in the esteem and affection of his countrymen, and, indeed, of many besides. Our pen refuses to place on record strong words and expressions in the presence of a great man fallen and discredited. We prefer to fix our mind on what he was and what he has done for Ireland, and the recollection of this will not fail to cause us to pause and think the best we can of one for whose misfortume we entertain the deepest sympathy, though we cannot refrain from passing on his recent course the severest censure possible. As to the main cause of all hi 6 late misfortune we prefer to say nothing. The subject is one that it is little less than an outrage to even name amongst Christians ; but we do not hesitate to speak of his policy in endeavouring to retain a leadership which, it ought to be manifest to him, the Irish people, being what they are, could not possibly tolerate. How a man so clear-sighted in many things, and gifted with such a high intellect as Mr. Paruell, could persuade himself that, after the O'Shba case, he could hope to lead the Irish nation and people all the world over, is to as a mystery. We had thought that even a little acquaintance with Irish views and practice would have made it evident that no man in Mr. Parnell'b present position would be tolerated by that people. And the only explanation we can offer is that afforded by the sad example of Solomon . We regret, though we are not altogether surprised, that even a lew in Ireland could be found to cling to him as their political leader, and we are happy to know that the overwhelming majority of Irishmen have not permitted themselves to be blinded by the splendour cf his old leadership, but have seen at once where their duty lay, and whither their honour and trne interests lead. For his own sake, and very much for his own sake, we deplore the obstinacy with which Mr. Parnell insists on attempting to maintain the leadership of a people who have rejected him for the strongest of reasons ; and we do hope that even now he will bow to the inevitable and gracefully retire from a position which both angers and pains, as well as humiliates, his countrymen, who, notwithstanding all that has recently happened, would be only too glad to be afforded an opportunity of cherishing towards him the kindliest feelings, and would be only too happy to forget the past, and in due time condone it, if possible. If Mr. Paknbll would only calmly consider the matter, he could not fail to understand how intense is the pain he is causing to the men whom we have no doubt be loves sincerely ; and consequently he would retire into private life, whither the good wishes of his countrymen would follow him, and leave the arena he once so greatly adorned to the leader chosen by the majority of their representatives. His doing so would confer on them a favour, and give them another reason for gratitude. It would be his crowning service to his country, and go far to reinstate him in the good opinion of Irishmen everywhere.