The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-10-20 00:00:00

SIR S. NORIHCOTE IN ULSTER.

On Saeurday a large crowd gathead to welcome Sir
Staff•ad Northcote on his arrival at Larne Harbour,
hut the weather proved so unpropitious that the right
hon gentleman was hurried from the landing.stage to
the Oldei fleet Hotel, where he received addtesses from
the Constitutional inhabitants of Larne and the
Orangemen of Ballymena, Kel s, and Larne.
In reply, Sir Stafford said he believed they were
lightly gauging the wants of Ireland when they said
that she needed repose and the development of her
resouras, and he complimented them on the efforts
they had made in this nirection. The orange.
men's conduct showed that tbey were peaceable and
orderly thernselves, and an example of peace and order
to others. He was glad his visit had been unaccom•
panied by any thing but mrderation and order, with
one exception, and that exception had nothing to do
with those who were concerned with his reception.

The right hon. baronet was after wards entertained at
luncheon by Mr. Chaine, M.P., and in response to the
toast of his health, said: Mr. Chain° and gentlemen,
this is probably the last occasion upon which I shall
have an opportunity of saying anything to my Irish
fellow-countrymen, and I can assure you that it is not
without some emotion that I shall take my teal. of a
country to which I came almost a stranger, an from
wh eh I have received such a welcome that has made
me feel that we are indeed sons of the same country,
and that we are the same people I have learned a
great deal in the time I have been in Ireland. I
have seen what the intelligence, energy and enter-
prise of my fellow-countrymen in the various parts
have been able to effect and have been effecting. I
have seen the improvements yeti were making and the
buildings you were erecting. I have seen there was
life among you, and a spirit which only required
energy and confidence. I will say to those who are
striving for the great common object that the strength
of Ireland ought not to be in an impetuous, fitful
Irelacd, but that sort of strength which is indicated
in tee song, " Strong withont rage, without o'erflowing
full." It should not he in mere demonstration, or
party emblems, or anything of that sort. All these
things are evidences of a spirit which I rejoice to
believe prevails here. But what we want is this—
that this energy is made to do its work, that it should
not be frittered away, that it should carry on its work
satisfactorily. That is the true euirit of the great
mass of the Conservatives of the North of Ireland, at
all events. I say it is of the utmost importance to
the Government of this great country that if they
wish as a source of strength to retain Ireland it is
their duty to maintain a course similar to that des-
cribed in the course of the river—that the conduct of
the Government should be consistent, and that we
should not have fitful off-rs of bribes on one day, or
hasty or sensational legislation on another day, andots
a matter of necessity, repression and violent legislation
on the following days. We do not want that Ire-
land is to be particularly damaged by legislation
carried on in that spirit ; least of all, of course, do we
want anything that could give the sort of impression
which is given when there is anything approaching to
a compact with those who are the disturbers of the
country. I have been told that during the time I
have been among you I have not entered into any of
the questions which are raised in Ireland and that
I have not given my opinion upon the Land Act
and upon various other meaeures upon which it might
have been asked for, Well, I frankly own I do not
consider it is the duty of the leader of the Opposition
to COlll5 forward and discuss qnestions upon which
he has no opportunity of acting with effect at the
time. I know the use that is made of expras
sions that may be let fa'l, r of latleuage that may
be unguardedly used—aid I know how much mischief
is often done by the distortion of sentiments which
are put forward, and put forward at a moment when
practical effect cannot be given to them ; but I am
quite prepared to say that I consider that the great
principles upon which all legislation should be
founded are the principles of justice and fair treat
ment. With regard to the Land Act in particular, I
say that in so far as that Act was intended and framed
for the purpose of giving proper security to the capital
invested in the cultivation of the land, knowing as I did
before, and knowing still more now that I have seen
something of the agricultnre of this country, what the
conditions are under which that agriculture is con-
ducted, I say that it is a sound and a right principle
that everything should be done that can give fair en-
couragement and confidence to the tenant farmers—
hut at the same time that could only be done by doing
jm-tice to them, and doing it in such a way that you
do no injustice to others. If it is to be in the nature
of a boon to one class of those who are engaged in
agricultural pursuits at the expense of or with injustice
to other classes—l care not whether these other classes
be the owners of the land or the labourers of the
land—if it is to be a measure proposed in that spirit,
then I say that it will not succeed in the object
which is aimed at, and that there will not be the
result that is desired from it. If there is a feeling
that justice is being done to all, and done impartialy
may
expect
hpuy uit
courageously, trheeenla m
vtreonturtehistosorstayoftbieagt6rae.
lation ; but here again is just one of those questions
in which so much turns upon the Administration. I
don't go, quite so far as to say with the port that
" Whate er is best administered is best," but I do
say that the value and importance of such legisla-
lation as is contained in the Land Act itself very
greatly depends on the method of its administration.
I have now only to wish you good-bye, and I can
assure you that I can look back, I am satisfied, upon
tnis visit to the North of Ireland with great pleasure,
great satisfaction, and great hope for the prosperity of
I the country in the future.
ig I