The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-06-11 00:00:00

MR. CHAMBERLAIN ON THE POLICY
OF THE GOVERNMENT.

Mr. Chamberlain, addressing his constituents at
Birmingham on Tuesday night, vindicated the action
of Mr. Gladstone's Administration since the General
Election. He contended that it had not falsified its
principles, and that it was carrying out the policy
which the country desired by entrusting it with the
reins of Government. Having asserted that the influ-
ence of the country never stood higher in Europe, he
justified the action of the Government in preferring
justice to revenge in the Transvaal, and the best
interests of South Africa to the vain pursuit of
military glory; and devoted the remainder of his
speech to a defence of the policy of the Government
in respect to Ireland—concluding as follows :

"The Government is striving to steer an even course
between extremes. We have been told that the Bill
which we have brought in is the minimum which the
Irish people can accept. I believe it is the maximum,
which any English Parliament will pass. We pur-
sue the work in which we are engaged in circum-
stances of some discouragement. We cannot count
upon, we do not ask for the assistance of our
opponents, and we meet with scant consideration
from those whom we are attempting to serve. I feel
that I have detained you too long. ("No.") I thank
yeu most sincerely for the patience with which you
have listened to me. I shall have served some pur-
pofT if I have brought before you the difficulties by
which the Government finds itself encompused, and
if I have shown you also the spirit in which we are
endeavouring to overcome them. I trust also that
I may have made clear to you the alternative policy
which is offered by our opponents for your
adoption. It is now for you to choose between
us. I can only say for myself that I have not
found office so 'free from care and anxiety that I am
greatly desirous of its long continuance. I accepted
it with hesitation, I will resign it without reluctance ;
but there is one thing in connexion with it which I
shall never forget, and that is, that I have been per-
mitted, for however short a time and in however
humble a capacity, to be associated with the ablest
i
and the noblest of English statesmen (cheers), n a
policy which I believe to be just and wise in its con-
ception, which I know to be humane and beneficent
in its intention, which I firmly trust will yet be
crowned with signal success, and which may be cog-
(aLsoothdeohgereerast.e)st achieve-
ez
ne recog-
nized
of
by future
long
public generationsl
ffe .

The Times (in a leader) interprets Mr. Chamberlain's
speech at Birmingham as showing that the Government is
prepared to sustain and vindicate the law in Ireland, and
will lend no countenance whatever to the mischievous
theory that an Executive may suspend the !Dpf ration of a
i
law on its own authority because its application may be n
some cases unjust. This is the policy of the Government,
and the Opp,sition will incur a grave responsibility if it
puts any unreasonable obstacle in the way of its accomplish-
ment. The time is gone by now for mere party criticism
and recrimination. The occasion is one which demands
from all parties a sincere and united effort to put an end to
the discontents which are the acknowledged root and origin
of the present agitation in Ireland. If there is no hesita-
tes en the part of the Government f vindioating the