The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-01-15
THE IRISH QUESTION.
John Bright Sketches the Outlines OF n
New Reform Bill.

A cable telegram dated Birmingham, Eng
land, January IL, and published in the New
York papers says:
The members of Parliament for Birmingham
addressed their constituents In the Town hall
tonight. Mr.. Bright on this occasion, made
his first appearance on the platform since his
entrance into the Cabinet, and he met with an
enthusiastic reception from his townsmen.
Mayor Prims presided, and Alderman Surge
moved vote of thanks to the Ministers for
their general policy, and especially for their
course in regard to the Irish Church.
In speech supporting the resolutions, Al
derman Surge expressed the hope that the
government would continue the work Of
reform and amend the Irish land laws, give
the people The ballot reduce expenditures,
and difIlSe education.
Mr. Bright on rising to address the meet
ing, was vehcmently chcered. He thanked
his felow-citiZens Tor the resolutions, convey
ing, rs they did, an avowal OF confidence IN
the government. He believed mat at lne emu
of the next session Of Parliament similar vote
would be earned and received. He proposed
no retrospect; he preferred to look forward.
Yet he touched on the law in regard to COM
poundIng rates, and alluded also to the discs
tablishmcnt of the Irish Church. On the lat
ter measure he said his constituents had
spoken loud enough for all to hear and for all
to understand. II was one Of the competest
measures ever presented to the House OF Com
mons. But difficulty occurred in the place to
which all who can 60 when in London,
the House of Lords-a place OF the greatest
antiquity and of the greatest influence.
On this occasion there was more pas
sion displayed than is generally seen there,
bringing the occupants OF the benches TO the
cooled. The Wisest reflected and alter mutual
compliments and congratulations the bill was
passed by the Lords, who thus admitted that
no institution, however ancient, grand and
historical it might be, Is safe II opposed to the
convictions and voice Of the people. Consld-
ering the constitutional training OF the peers,
their friends might we'll rejoice. The Catholic
grievances were eXtlngulshed; the Irish grleV-
ances only were left now. He asked Parlia-
% ment to do something for the Irish non-Catho-
lies and land reform. The difficulties Oh the
question appeared formidable at distance,
but were easily sllrmountablc on approach.
The state of Ireland might be painted in few
words The land had few owners, While hall
OF the population were tenants at WILL.
The owners neglected to cultivate the SOIL,
but faithfully collected the rent. The in
dustry. home, and life of The tenants are at
his n,ercy or that Of his agents. The owners
are of the same race as the occuplers Oh tne
sci. The only difference between tlem IL
that of treatment, OF law, of p0lltlcs. ine
Catholic tenant and the Protestant owner
might bc friends and yet feel the rule. irish
nroprictorship is really conflscation, which Is
ihc result of conquest. and is only lustliiable
rs conquest. To this wrong penal laws have
added vastly greater ones. Parliament is call
ed upon to rive rights 10 the tenant, but save
the property Of the owners. All would be
rirht If the Irish would be as eager for reform
if they were landlords as if they were tenants.
The reign of discord must be stopped. The
three hundred thousand policemen and sold
iers must be withdrawn from Ireland. The qlles-
ton was the hardest ever presented to the peo-
nlc or Parliament. The government was pre-
parng measures Of reform. Serious popular
consideration was invoked for them. There
was no party question respecting it, and
party m ilg lit would be unpatriotic. Nearly four
Years ago he had blamed Mr.. Gladstone for the
suspension of the writ OF habeaS corpus. He
had also blamed Mr.. Disraell for not producing
measures of amelioration. He knew that an
unreformed Parliament must refuse action,
and therefore be pressed reform, wider fran
chise, and freer representation. This was nc
class question. The will, justice, and power
dwelling only in the nation could treat it. HI
believed now great results must follow. re-
form Parliament can do as much for Ireland a:
Ireland. if independent or an American State
could io for herself. IA voice-No!] lrelant