Unfortunately, as judges of character the Gladstonians are out of court.

The leader who first obtained their confidence was Mr.
Parnell.

If the Home Rule Bill of 1886 had become law Mr.Parnell would have become Premier of Ireland, and we should have been bidden to put trust in his loyalty and his integrity.

There are no Gladstonians now who think Mr.Parnell trustworthy.

Why should they be better judges of the trustworthiness of Mr.Dillon, Mr.M'Carthy, or Mr.Davitt, than they were of the character of the statesman who was the leader, friend or patron of the whole Irish Parliamentary party?
Note, however--for in this matter it is essential to make one's meaning perfectly clear--I do not allege, or suppose, that the assurances of the Irish leaders are mendacious.