The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-27
LORD DUFFERIN'S SPEECH AT BELFAST.

British Political System Highly Lauded-
Friendly Sentiments Towards the
United States-Canada in the Olympus
OF Nations.
AS a popular neighbor and landlord Lord Duferin
is regarded with favor in the part of Ireland where
he resided. The feeling Of the gentry testified
by complimentary banquet given at Belfast, June
IL, on the eve Of the new Governor Generals de-
parture for quebec. During the evening Lord
Dunerin replying to the toast of his health, re-
marked:-
Constitutional government must necessarily be
carried on by party. Allegiance to one's party Is
ye nrse % on every man. Party
those conflicting forces which hold the world in
equilibrium and refresh, and purify the face Of
life in this country has the advantage OF public life
among other nations, 1t is that our statesmen, In
respecting themselves, have learned to respect
section OF the community in advocating its
own opinions or interests is content to do so
spirit OF Orbearance leads to the settlement of the
most important questions, under conditions In which
both sides can eventually acquesce-it is that po-
litical controversy seldom degenerates into per-
sonal rancor-it Is that when once Her Majesty has
been pleased to invest one Of her subjects with
have been the vehemence Of his political
antecedents-his countrymen Of al classes ,es
henceforth as their common servant, champion ana
Representatives. emancipated from all faint of
political partisanshp, and as actuated by simple
Is this generosity Of sentiment on the part of the
British people which seems to have acted like an
inspiration on the minds of those many distin-
guished men whose services abroad have added SO
many glorious pages to our history. 1t has purified
rated their nteects until as in The case Of Lord
Canning, Lord Elgin and our late lamented coun-
tryman, Lord Mayo, their regulations have ex.
panded beyond the anticpations of their warmest
friends, and in dying have left behind them almost
heroic memories. And how could this be other
wise AS
slowly moves away from the familiar shore
as each well-known feature OF the landscape,
SAINT woods the torrent beds that scar the noun
tain side gradually melt down into single tint,
tracts his gaze how is it possible but that an analo
gous process should operate within his mind, and
as he considers his mission and his destiny that
the rugged controversies which divide opinion be-
come indistinct, the antagonsms OF party
united nation which has conhded its interests and
its honor to his Keeping and by the image of the
thoughts like these, 1t is the consciousness that he
carries with him the confidence Of his countrymen,
the good wishes Of his friends, the favor Of his
personality his selfish interests and feelings, and
make himself wholly his country's-which gives
him courage to incur responsibility, to sustain
odium, to aront danger to sacrifice health, and, II
need be- life itself at the simple call of duty. AS
far as such inspirting auspices as these can insure
success few VIII have left their native shores under
more encouraging circumstances than myself. At
all events there Is one function OF my great office
which VIII prove
LABOR OF LOVE,
and to the discharge OF which know shall not be
unequal that which will consist in presenting my
self TO our fellow subjects across the Atlantic as the
embodiment and representative OF that kind feeling,
Of that deep sympathy OF that ceaseless and indie
and all parties In this country regard the inhabi
tants or our great Dominion. Ladies and gentle
men, you are, OF course, that the government
OF Canada Is strictly constitutional; that 1t
reflects in all respects the institutions OF this
country, and that this resemblance is maintained
not merely by the outward form of It's machinery,
but which Is OF far greater Importance by that spirit
OF dignined, moderate AID sagacious craftsmanship
which inspires the conduct OF those distinguished
men who have successfully administered her az
fairs and directed the councils OF her Legislature.
Why, the mere creation OF the Dominion, the union
hands OF an Imperial Parliament, whose jurisdic-
tion now extends from ocean to ocean, Is itself
proof OF the patriotism, OF the ability and OF the
organizing power OF the Canadian people. 1t Is not
to be supposed but that many local
INTERESTS, PREJUDICEs AND TRADITIONS
must have imagined themselves compromised by
the absorption OF the local Legislatures into the
bosom OF the mightier body but not only have the
wsest cOunsels on the subject been permitted to
prevail and all minor jealousics obliterated, but
even those who most vehemently opposed the
Arrangement when once the controversy was con-
cuded, have acquiesced in the settlement,
and with q loyal and generous patriotism
their own misgivngs and to make the system they
at one time found II necessary to oppose work to
the best possible advantage. Applanse.) But,
ladies' and gentlemen, to be the interpreter Of the
good will OF the people OF Great Britain towards
the Inhabitants OF Canada is not the only congenal
duty imposed upon me by my office. There Is an
other of an analogous kind which 1t will hardly
i've me less pleasure TO ischar0e. Side bv side