, 1876-07-16

Rule was radical He was opposed to any
federal union. He claimed that the Crown
Of Ireland was inseparably annexed to the
Crown of Great Britain, but that the Kingdom
Of Ireland was distinct Kingdom, and that
no person on earth but the King, Lords, and
Commons Of Ireland had q right to make laws
to bind her. This was recognized by En-
gland until the Act Of Union in 1900, and there
could be no other satisfactory settlement
than the repeal of that Act Of Union. Home
Rule he denounced as an annihilation Of Irish
nationality and independence. Home Rule
was federalism, which, to be complete and
consistent, demanded local Parliament for
Scotland, another for England, and another
for Wales; and, if carried out, would author
ize the Protestant Province of Ulster in Ire
land to demand separate Parliament from
that in which the other provinces we're rep
resented He did not wish for Ireland fed
Grafton like TINT of Switzerland or the
United States; he demanded nationality and
independence like that enjoyed by Hungary.
Various other speakers, mostly Irish, par
ticipated; and the London Times speaks OF
the debate as the most brilliant that has
taken place in the House Of Commons for
years. It states that the qualification Of the
House was unexpected. Therewas no reason
to anticipate more than the usual parade Of
grievances. It says that Mr. Burt per-
formed his part gracefully and well, and,
speaking Of Mr.. SMYrH, it says:
The House was astonished and delighted to ind
itself listening to orator who recalled at once
the palmiest days OF Irish oratory. The speech OF
3r. SxYTu was on all sides recognized as the finest
which has been delivered during the present Parlia
ment. The reasoning, the wit, the dramatic force,
and the grace which have lately been only tradi-
tion In the House Of Commons seemed to be re-
vivcd, and members felt themselves under the
spell Of q new enchantment- Whatever else bfr.
P. J. SSYru has done, he has once more enabled
members OF Parliament to appreciate the influence
of Irish oratory, and has thus done much to make
his country better understood Independently Of
all other considerations, 1t is matter for little
satisfaction that the old standard OF speaking has
once more been exhibited in the House OF Com
mons. Parliament has for q long time been tend
ing towards'a rough conversational style, and we
had begun to doubt whether the traditions Of
former Parliamentary elogncnce were not mere
legends. They can now be believed, and it IL to be
hoped they will again be emulated.
This compliment from the British organ
to an Irish member, and that member an
Irish Nationalist, is without precedent; and,
not content with this, it adds in another part
of the article that the debate had furnished
an argument against National. Irish Parlia~
ment, because, considering SMYTH as an e1-
ample Of Irish speakers, it is impossible to
think the British would consent that all the
Irish oratory should be confined to Dublin.
"Oratory F" like his was meant to be addressed
to phlegrnatic persons like Englishmen, to
whom it is useful stimu1ant, while it would
be dangerous if applied to the sensitive tem-
peraments which gave birth to it."
At the close Of the debate, the motion Of
h1r. Butt was rejected by vote Of 291 to
81, several English members voting for it,
and nearly, if not fully, one-haH the Irish
members voting against it.