The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-05-15 00:00:00

MR. CHAMBERLAIN ON THE
POLITICAL CRISIS.

The following correspondence has been published •
"House of Commons, May 6, ISB6.
"Dear Mr. Chamberlain,—The general impression
amongst Liberals in the constituency which I repro'
sent is that, having zegard to Mr. Cifladstone's recent
letter, the second reading of the Government of
Ireland Bill will amount only to the affirmation ni
the principle of Home Rule in Ireland, and that after
the second reading, and in Committee of the House,
the question as to the retention of Irish represents:
tives in the Imperial Parliament will be left open for
consideration, and that Mr. Gladstone_ will then bd

ready to meet the wishes of yourself and maul
others on this point. I, therefore, venture to ask you,
as one of the acknowledged leaders of the advanced
section of the Liberal party, whether you would be,
prepared to support the second reading of the bill ir
it were made clear that the bill is read a second time
upon this understanding; and so help to bring about
a reunion of all Liberals who, while desirous to give
the Irish people full control over Irish affairs, are,
at the same time, determined to do their utmost to
preserve the supremacy of the Parliament of the
United Kingdom.—l remain, yours very faithfully,
"T. H. BOLTON.

"The Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P."
"40, Princes-gardens, S.W., May 7, 1886.
"Dear Mr. Bolton,—l sincerely trust that the inr
pression which you say prevails among your friends
as to the intentions of the Government in regard 0
their Irish policy may prove to be correct, and that
the Prime Minister may now be willing to meet the
strong and growing desire among his followers for
the maintenance of the Imperial Parliament as the
supreme representative authority for the United
Kingdom. In this case I for one should gratefullf
accept the concession, and should give my vote for
the second reading, with the hope that the further
changes which would logically follow this alteratioa
would be worked out in committee.
"But I am unable to find in Mr. Gladstone's latest
manifesto any assurance to this effect.
" He says, indeed, that the only question in debate
is whether we will have regard to the prayer of Ire'
land for the management by herself of the affairs
specially and exclusively her own.
"I may observe in passing that, if geographical
considerations are to yield to national sentifywnt. it
appears to me that the prayer of Protestal t Ulster
for separate consideration is entitled to at least
equal attention to that which has been given to
the demands of the population represented by gr.
Parnell.
'The fate, however, of this province is in the hands
of its own people, and if they are really in earnest hi
refusing to entrust their liberties and fortunes to the
control of a central Parliament in Dublin, it is not
likely that their fellow-subjects in England and
Scotland will suffer them to be coerced into subrair
sion.
"Assuming, then, that the separate treatment of
Ulster is admitted to be an open question which will
ultimately be decided in accordance with the wisheS
of the Ulster population, there remain two principles
in the bill as it stands which I regard as vital.
"The first is the principle of autonomy, to which
am able to give a hearty assent. The second i 5
involved in the method of giving effect to dile
autonomy._

"In the bill, the Government have proceeded 00
the lines of separation or of Colonial independence;
whereas, in my humble judgment, they should hay('
adopted the principle of federation as the onli
one in accordance with democratic aspirations and
experience.
"The key of the position is the maintenance 0!
the full representation of Ireland in the Imperial
Parliament, and of her fall responsibility for all
Imperial affairs.
"This is not a detail which can be safely left to the
hazards of committee. It is a point of supreme inr
portance which ought to be decided on the threshold
of the discussion.
"The extension of Home Rule to Scotland and
Wales and to other parts of the United ICingdonl
depends on the maintenance of the united represents'
tion of the three countries in one supreme Parliament.
The hope—it may be only a distant one, but it bas
infinite attractions—of drawing more closely togetherf
the great dependencies of the British Crown, and 01
welding them into a mighty and harmonious Empire,
rests on the determination to resist.in their inception
all separatist tendepciee, and to maintain one central
Parliament for the protection of the common interests
of all who claim their part in the Imperial organiss-
tion.
"The alternative proposal in the present bill bao
rendered necessary the anomalies and restrictions
which no true Liberal can approve. It has produced
a halting measure which offers no reasonable prospect
of finality and settlement, but only a fulcrum for
further agitation. It has brought us within measure
able distance of civil war in Ireland, and threatens ne
with the ultimate creation of a, foreign and hostile
nation, whose reconquest is actually contemplated ee
a possible eventuality by the promoters of the ver,cl
measures which will deprive us of all power an
authority of interference.
"As long as there is any uncertainty on matters o,f,
such paramount interest it is impossible for those orliv_
value the unity of the Empire as the only guaranter
for the peace and welfare of its several parts to afflrir
the principles of the Government of Ireland
but if, as you anticipate, the Prime Minister show..
find himself in a position to make the concessior,
which has been pressed upon him by so many of 111,
most earnest and loyal supporters, I share your bor.,
that the present imminent danger of a fatal breach,r,
the ranks of the Liberal party may be haPP'
averted.—l am, yours very faithfully,
"J. CiummtaLAll,6
"T. H. Bolton, Esq., M.P." 4
_
Spring cannot be forced by changes of aPPs,,rotelo.
There is more virtue in one flannel shirt than itt
bottles of cough medicine.

gArrijilDA_Y, MAY 15, 18S6.

LALL RIGHTS RESERVED.]
THE HEIRESS