Rumours are spreading of a new alliance between the Parnellites
and the Tory Party. The more furious of the Extremists—such as Mr. O'Brien—declare that Earl Spencer and Mr. Trevelyan must go, and that if they are retained the party will vote in a body against the Franchise Bill, and so send it up to the Lords supported by a majority of only fifty. We question if Mr. Parnell could compel more than twenty-five of his followers to adopt such a course ; and a loss of fifty votes would still leave the Government a majority of -eighty, even if many decent Tories, disgusted with the alliance, did not stay away. We have never doubted that Mr. Parnell desired a dissolution with the present constituency ; but the whole history of last Session showed that the one thing he did not venture to do was openly to oppose the Franchise Bill. He sees further ahead than his followers, and does not want to be described all over Ireland as the great enemy of the labourers, who already mutter that he does everything for their masters. If he is seeking terms—and his party usually seek terms—it is some promise about Redistribution which it will not be easy to keep. In any case, the British people will perceive that their vote is un- diminished, and will adhere to their resolve—that the Bill must pass, or the theoretical power of the Lords must be taken away.
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