The Shasta courier., 1867-02-16
Last Night of the Irish Parliament--An
Impressive Scene.


The Commons House of Parliament. on tho
last evening, afforded the most melancholy
example Of fine. independent people. be-
trayed. divided sold, and as state ami
hilated. british clerks and officers we're
smuggled into her Parliament to vote away
the Constitution of a country in which they
had neither interest nor connection They
were employed to cancel the Royal charter
of the Irish nation, guaranteed by the British
Government, sanctioned by the British Leg.
islature. and uncquivocaly confirmed bv
the words, the signature, and the great seal
Of their monarch.
The situation of the Speaker on that night
was of the most distressing nature. A sin.
cere and ardent enemy of the measure, he
headed its opponents; he resisted it with all
the resources of his experience his Influence
and his eloquence.
1t was, however, through his voice that it
was to be proclaimed and consummated.-
His only alternative. resignation, would have
been unavailing, and could have added moth.
ing to his character. His expressive coun-
tenance bespoke the inquietude of his feel.
ings; solicitude was perceptible in every
glance, and his embarrassment was obvious
in every word he uttered
The galleries were full, but the GLANCE
was lamentable. They were no longer
crowded with those who had been accustom.
ed to witness the eloquence and to animate
the debates Of that devoted assembly. A
monotonous and melancholy murmur ran
through the benches scarcely word was
exchanged among the members nobody
seemed at ease no cheerfulness was appar-
ent, and the ordinary business for a short
time proceeded in the usual manner
AT length the expected moment arrived
the order of the day, for the third reading of
the bill for legislative union between Great
Britain and Ireland. was moved bv Lord
Castlereagh Unvaried, tame. cold blooded.
the words seemed frozen as they issued from
his lips and, as if simple citizen of the
world, he seemed to have no sensat on on the
subject.
At that moment he had no country, no
God, but his ambition. He made his motion,
and resumed his seat with the greatest COM
posure and Indifference.
Confused murmurs again ran through the
House. 1t was visibly affected Every
character in moment seemed involuntariy
rushing to its index--so pale, some flush
ed, some agitated were few counte.
nances tn which the heart did not dispatch
some. messenger. Several members with
drew before the question could be repeated,
their departure. The Speaker rose slowly
from the chair which had been the proud
source of his honors and of his high char
acter. For moment he resumed his seat,
but the strength of his mind sustained him
in his duty, though his struggle was appar.
ent. With that dignity which never failed
to signalize his official actions, he held up
the bill for a moment in silence lie Looked
steadily around him On the last agony of the
expiring Parliament. Heat length repeated,
in an emphatic manner, . As many as are
of the opinion that this bill do pass, say
aye" The affirmative was langud, bnt in
disputable. Another momcn'ary pause en-
sued. Again his lips seemed to decline
their Office. AT length. with an eye averted
from the object which he hated. he procIaim-
ed, with a subdued voice, "The ayes have
it," The fatal sentence was rronnuncei.-
For an instant he stood statue like then
Indignantly and with disgust, he flung the
bill upon the table, and sank into his chair
with an exhausted spirit. An ind p andent
country was thus degrade into pr vince
Ireland as a nation was extinguished.