The Irish standard., 1886-05-22

nection would augment the strength o
promote the security of the empire.
The scheme which was now offered
seemed to be of a very different tenden-
cy. It threatened discomfort, jealousy
and distrust. These were the fruits
which it had already produced in Ire
land, and which would, perhaps, grow
into warmth of resentment if it should
not be deferred orabandoned. If the Par
lament of that realm should give an
exterior assent to the measure, the peo-
pie would still say that they were
robbed Of their rights, and would aux-
iously wait for an opportunity Of recov-
ering them. The directors of the Brit
ish Parliament had produced Or pro-.
NOTED evils and now, on pretence OF
removing these grievances, they were
proceeding to annihilate the liberties Of
Ireland" Mr.. Grey was followed by
Mr.. Secretary Dundas in a grandilo-
quent speech, which recalls for the
reader the rhodomontade of Anacarsis
KIoo1z. The Parliament of Ireland, he
urged, would, by the union, become
members of the British Parliament,
(which had enabled this proud country
to exalt it's head amidst the wreck Of
surrounding nations, had given it ener-
gy and vigor TO resist the pernicious
doctrines OF the French republic, and
held us up as a monument Of admira-
tion and envy to the remotest corners
OF the world. They would then be the
advocates not only of Ireland and Great
Britain, but advocates for the rights
and liberties of the human race" Mr..
Tierney argued that all who wished to
preserve the peace and connection of
the two countries had reason to depre-
cate the discussion OF scheme so OBJ
noxious to the majority of one of the
kingdoms. Mr.. Hobhouse opposed the
measure as obnoxious to great major,
ity Of the Irish people. After an ex-
haustive debate, Oh a division the re-
port was ordered to be brought up, the
votes for it's reception being 120 against
16. When the first resolution had been
sanctioned by the House, it was moved
that the consideration OF the rest should
be postponed for three months. But
the majority repudiated the motion and
adopted all the resolutions. We have
seen how the ministerial proposition
for union had Jared in the Irish Parlia-
ment.. In the interim, intriguers had
been busy endeavoring only too success
fully to corrupt the Irish Legislature,
which met again on Jan. Is, 1900. The
debate on the union was Immediately
resumed by Sir Lawrence Parsons in
speech more remarkable for the simpli-
city OF q country gentleman than tie
eloquence of parliamentary orator.
Sir Lawrence concluded with an amend
ment to the address, connecting the de-
sire of a continuance Of British connec-
tion with the wish for preservation of
an independent resident Parliament.
Lord Castlereagh replied mandaclously.
Mr. George Og1e again declared his un-
willingness to surrender the Irish con-
stitution. MIR. Fitzgerald chopped that
the members would not extinguish the
light OF the realm, as he knew not
where, if they should repent, they
would find the Promethean heat which
could that light relume.'' Speaking of
the possibility of Castlereagh having
his way, Mr.. George Ponsonby said, II
shall see the last man out of these doors
and they shall be shut upon him for
ever. ! will not believe that those who
have lived with such honor will die
with such disgrace" After some ad-
dresses of minor Importance, PonsonbY
was followed by Grattan, whose speech
was one Of the greatest efforts of even
his genius. well" he said. Ssthe min
lister has destroyed this constitution.
To destroy is easy. The edifices OF the
mind, like fabrics of marble, require an
age to build, but ask only minutes to
precipitate; and as the fall is of no
time, SO neither is it the effect OF any
strength. A common laborer and a
pickaxe, little lawyer, little pander,
and a wicked minister-so perish the
works Of men. That constitution which
has been the inheritance of this country
for six hundred years is now the object
of ministerial attack. The constitution
which he destroys is one Of the pillars
Of the British Empire, dear to it's vio-
lation. dear in it's recovery. Its restor-
alton cost Ireland her noblest efforts
it was the hahitation of her loyalty as
we'll as of her liberty, where she had
hung up the sword OF the volunteer;
her temple of fame as we'll as offree-
dom, where she had seated herself. as
she vainly thought, in modest security
and in a long repose.'' Grattan was
followed, but not answered, by CORY.
and by 1873 to 96 the unaltered address
was voted by the Legislature. On Feb.
| S, Lord Castlereagh laid the details of
the scheme Of union before the Irish
Parliament. In the debate which fol-
lowed, the old arguments were renew
ed, Grattan reappearing in all his
strength, and Saurin protesting that