New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-01
A MEMORABLE DEBATE.

TIE HoUsE AND THE PEOPLE IMPATIENT AT THE
CONTINUANCE OF OBSTRUCTION-MR. GLADSTONE
PROVOKED INTO POWERFUL sPEECH-PAHNELL
DEcLA aEs FOR IHE REPEAL OF TIE UNION.
lFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBINE
LONDON. Jan. 1s.-One or two more such sittines
as that of last night and the Irish question will be
likely to reach crisis. Thus far the main question
has been how long the torbearance of the House of
Commons will endure 1t has Teen often trled 1t
has never before advanced by such leaps and bounds
TO the point where forbeaTance ceases to be virtue
The credit Of this improved activity OF the leylsla-
tive conscience is due indirectly to Mr. justin Nc
Carthv, and directly to Mr. Gladstone; perhaps
ALSO IN some measure, TO that lOng-sufering SAINT
Sir Staff ord NorthcOte. The same thing may be
said Of public opinion outside the House. III Is
case where the public and the House react one upon
the other; and in each case beneficially. A spark
Of honest Indignation inside the House kindles
fame outside. by the light of which some things are
seen more clearly than before; and this clearer
vision gives rise to O wholesome anger. which,
spreading through the constituencies, comes back
% their representatives.
From the first day of the session, and before the
first da it has been obvious that the centre OF in
terest in Irish matters was to bc transferred from
ireland itself to the House tc which Ireland still
,ondescends to send delegates. During all last
week people forgot that State trials were going on
Parneli amendment The length to which that
lebate was spun out was against all precedent;
and it was watched with steadily growing impa-
,ence. II came to an end, and the House BY
something like eight to one rejected the amend
went and affirmed the principle of coercion which
the amendment was intended to deny. The Irish
men had full swing; said what they wanted to say,
anG ut such length as seemed to them good. say
the Irshmen but when the division list comes 10
be anayzed it turns out that one less than half the
whole number of Irish representatives, supported
MI Parnelrs protest; and that the constituents OF
this minority are good many less than hall the
whole voting population OF Ireland. People who
10 not follow the details of Parliamentary business
closely, and who have not yet grasped the full
meaning of obstruction, thought that with the vote
.tre debate must naturally come to an end They
we're to DO undeceived last night; and undeceiVed
ina way likely long to be remembered.
Mr.. Justin McCarthy's ar endment had been on
the paper. need hardly say, from the beginning
II was known in the House that the lrlsbmen
meant to debate it so that it is not to be inferred
rom the unprepared state of the public mind outslde
That any move in the nature of surprise Is 10 pe I'M
outed to Mr.. Mccarthy, who is qrite incapable or
ioing or attempting any dIshOnorabie thing. Ills
proposed addition to the address consisted OF q
iumble prayer to her Majesty to refrain from
Asing the Naval, Military, anu COnStaDuIaiy ioiCco
the Crown in enforcing ejectments for nonpay-
nent OF rent in Ireland until the measures pro-
POSED TO be submitted to her Majesty with regard
tne ownership Of land in Ireland had been de-
:oed upon by Parliament And this thesis Mr.
acCafthy supported in carefully prepared speech
|" consideraoie literary merit, infused with the
usual proportion of what TOR want of more ex-
pfessiVe phrase, must call sentimental politics.
variety OF which the Irish members have an uncon-
tested monopoly. The speech wound up with an
appear 10 Mr. Gladstone which brought the Prime
"inister 70 his feet with speech which may be
sanKed among the shortest and among the most
powerful OF his efforts in debate He said:
what is Mr. McCsrthy's sppeali Il is an appeal for
inc mIeouction ef measure for reforming the land
ies,oSna sno But what Is which prevents US rom
msscn sucn fMsnoments ss Mr.. Mccarthy ofers 10 the
seo.e:s and such speeches as he has just made.
we renewal nfgbt ser night, OF spontaneous de-
pate ameo ~ no practical CONCLUSION, capable af
~ psaccal conclusion capable OF answerlngno
Il this Island rather strong feelings Of Kind
~ no. wso 70 encourage, With regard TO the singular
nenod IN winch now the Of this House are
'od capable or promoting tho continued exist
sucs " great evils and OF retsrdng the application OF
neacs t9 feepd and 10 utter contradiction. 90 far as
sne Sn honorable geptenap because the measure he ex
c us 70 produce he does his best, By the course he
soopTs. TO rctaxd. .,..
a PROTEST AGAINST INNOVATION.
AGAINST the prolongationo Of che debate Mr.. Glad