The Irish standard., 1886-05-22
THE old IRISH PARLIAMENT
rConcluded from first page. 1

troardinary height on the defeat of the
ministry, the chief speaker of the oppo-
sitiOn achieving an immense popular
ity. 1t is now necessary to follow the
union controversy into the British Par
lament. The subject was introduced
there by a message from the sovereign,
delivered to the Peers by Lord Gren-
vile. A similar message was presented
to the Commons by Mr.. Dundas. The
address of thanks in answer to the
royal message was scarcely read when
Mr.. Sheridan rose and frankly told
ministers that ''to render an incorpora-
tive union in any respect desirable
measure the sense of the nation ought
to be freely manifested in favor of it;
but there was no prospect of obtaining
such concurrence; and union carried
by surprise, by intrigue, by fraud. COR
ruption, or intimidation would leave
both countries with regard to perman-
ency of connection in situation worse
than the present." Sheridan supported
these views in speech remarkable
alike for eloquence and common sense,
and concluded with an amendment,
''expressing the surprise and deep re-
gret with which the House learned from
his majesty that the final adjustment
which upon his gracious recommended
tion took place between the kingdoms
in the year 1882 had not produced the
effects expected from that solemn SET
tlement, and also intimating that his
majesty's faithful Commons. having
st ong reason to believe that it was in
the contemplation of his ministers to
propose a union Of the legislatures of
the two kingdoms, Notwithstanding the
said adjustment, felt it to be their
their bounden duty, impressed as they
were with the most serious apprehen-
sions of the consequences of such pro-
ceeding at this time, to take the earliest
opportunity humbly to implore his ma
jesty not to listen to the counsel of
those who should advise or promote
such a measure at the present crisisand
under the present circumstances of the
empire" Sheridan was replied to by
Canning in a speech of much ability,
but marred by certain insolence of
tone. almost inseparable from Can
ning's genius. When Pitt presented
himself, his superb oratorical powers at
once arrested attention. The premier
dealt more or less effectively with the
various objections that had been Urged
against the measure. From his own
point of view, his speech was fairly
reasoned argument for the union, con-
Guiding with eight resolutions embrac-
ing The general plan thereof. Mr.. Sher-
idan brought to the consideration of the
ministerial statements a thorough
knowledge of the whole circumstances
| of the case, a keen logic, and an eio-
quence which it were superfluous to eu-
logize. In the course Of his speech he
| ACCUSED the ministry of intimidation
and abuse of power; reproved Mr.. Can
ming for communicating with foul fog
and baneful breath the pure morning
of his political life" Mr.. Sheridan
concluded with reading two PROPOSE
tions, couched in these terms: THAT
no measures can have tendency TO
improve and perpetuate the ties OF
amity and connection now existing be-
tween Great Britain and Ireland which
have not for their basis the manifest
fair and free consent aud appreciation
of the Parliaments Of the two countries:
and that whoever shall endeavor to OBJ
tain the appearance of such consent
and appreciation in either country by
employing the influence Of government
for the purpose of corruption Or of in
timidation is all enemy to his M jesty
and TO the constitution In vain,
however, Was this appeal made to the
Imperial Parliament, aud in vain was
it reminded that the settlement of 1882
was final. On the question being put
that Mr.. Pitts propositions foreshad-
owing the articles of union, might be
referred to committee Of the whole
House, 14O voted in the affirmative,
while only Is members took the opposi-
tion side. After the interval Of d week
the debate on the union resolutions be-
gan. Sheridan was again to the front.
"If,'' he argued, 1.-THE minister would
cease to make the Irish government q
corrupt English job, if he would give
the Irish Parliament an opportunity of
acting freely for the benefit of the ma
tion, the real evils of the country, which
legislative union might augment,
would be in a great measure allayed, if
not totally extinguished.' After a
brief debate Mr. Sheridan IS propositions
were rejected by a majority OF 116, the
numbers being rs for, 141 against. The
committee was on the point of being
formed when Mr.. Grey, subsequently
Earl Grey of reform bill celebrity, in-
terposed Though he wished to have
heard some plausible arguments i'll
favor of the union before the delivery
of his own sentiments. he would not on
that account postpone his observations.
He considered the question as the most
| unomentous that had ever been submit