The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-03-18 00:00:00

MR. ROEBUCK AT SHEFFIELD.

At Sheffield, on Tue.clay night, Mr. J. A. Roebuck
addressed a large meeting of his former constituents,
the Mayor of the town presiding, and delivered a vio-
lent philippic on the policy of the Liberal Government
and party. He admitted that the Irish Church Bill
was a great measure, but he attributed it solely to a
desire on Mr. Gladstone's part to checkmate the Con-
mervativea when he saw them gaining in power by the
Reform Bill. The Premier's change of opinion on the '
subject of Disestablishmtnt was merely to enable him
"to get into power and to stick there." Although he
(Mr. Roebuck) was not himself an advocate of establish-
ments, yet, after reviewing the circumstances under
which the Irish Church had been formed, he condi come
to no other conclusion than that its disestablishment was
a weakening of the nation's power, and would not suc-
ceed in conciliating the ROMall Catholics of Ireland.
The secret committee in the affair of Westmeath could
only have teen suggested to relieve the Ministry from
a difficulty by ferreting out the eecrete of the Fenians.
The liberation of the political prisoners was a cowardly
and dastardly act, and their recel.tion by the American
House of Representatives Wee disgraceful in the ex-
treme—another proof that America was the bitter
enemy of this country. The Irish Land Bill was an
iniquitous measure, and if it was good fer Ireland, it
was also good for England. Exceptionally, he praised
the E lunation Bill, in connection with which the name
of Mr. Gladstone would be highly h, noured ; but
the principle of compulsion was needed to com-
plete the measure. Referring to the war, he censured
the course of the Germans after Sedan, and said the
Empire had gained but little by its victories. The
Emperor William was simply and really a despot,
and the Germane were merely robbing the French to
enrich him. Ti all their remonstrances the Emperor
would reply, " I am your father ;" or, if they persisted
In those remonstrances, would imprison them, as had
been done with Dr. Jacoby. Liberalism Was killed
for another century at least. Mr. Roebuck then took
occasion to notice the present position of England. She
was hated, he said, by every nation in Europe, because
eke was envied by them. Tile French hated her, de,.
pits the fact that she had impoverished herself to
help them with her charity, and for years both
the nations that had been at war would have
a strong feeling of animosity against this country.
At the same time, Russia vas pushing slowly on
towards our Eastern dominion., and America had
a very unfriendly feeling towards us. England was
hated because she was envied, and she was envied
because she poariessed so mach freedom, and her
people were happy and contented. Though it was
true there was a good deal of discontent, which was
increasing and becoming deadly and dangerous, the
great macs of the people were steadfast in their faith
as Englishman ; and he, for one, believed that, if a foe
ever set foot in this country, a hundred thousand
Englishmen would never capitulate' but would rather
court death than endure such cruel dishonour. For
himself, he had great faith in the future of England.
and believed her people would become greater and
happier as years rolled on. (Loud cheers.)