The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-04-15
Home Rule in Ireland.


The occasion was Premier Gladstone S
speech calculating the policy he pro-
posed, in behalf of the government
for the regulation Of Ireland. Before he
visited Parliament he took d drive, and
wherever he went he was greeted by a pop
ular enthusiasm never before extended to
any Englishman. When he returned and
proceeded to the House of Commons, his
entrance was the signal for the most ex-
travagant demonstrations of admiration
three hours and twenty-five minutes
After asking permission to introduce his
bill he said: 1.-The time has arrived when
both honor and duty require parliament
to come to a decisive resolution. 1t should
be the endeavor to liberate parliament from
the restraints under which, during late
years. it had Intellectually struggled and to
restore legislation to its unimpeded course.
1t is our duty to establish harmonious rela-
lions between Great Britain and Ireland on
footing of free institution, in which Eng
lishmen. ScOtchmen and IriShmen have a
like interest" He then proceeded to out
line his plan in manner worthy OF his
great reputation. He promised his pro-
posals with preference to thepresent inhar-
moniOus relation between Ireland and
Great Britain. and the intolerable OBJ
struction of the business of parliament
resulting therefrom. 1t was his desire, he
said, to recast the relations of the two
islands on the basis of free institutions
and political equality for both. In the
interest of civilization and social order in
ireland it is necessary that her people shall
- Inv with no 10
law-making power, a condition Of affairs
which does not now exist, and which can
only be brought about by endowing them
with a large measure self-govefnment.
Provided the unity of the empire be
conserved, the wider the liberty given to
the Irish people for the direction of
matters exclusively OF Irish concern the
better. Mr.. Gladstone accordingly pro-
poses for the future government OF
Ireland scheme which, while carefully
guarding imperial interests, at the same
time comedies extensive powers to q
Parliament sitting at Dublin. This
body is to consist OF two houses, an upper
house of 1913 members, elected upon a
property qualification of $4,000, and a
lower house of 206 members, elected
upon the present franchise. Twenty-eight
peers are given the option of sitting in the
L upPOl HouoCs anu ohO p
senting Ireland at present in the British
house of commons are to be withdrawn
| from London and to become members of the
lower house Of Dublin. Each house will
l for a limited time have power OF veto
upon measures. passed by the other. The
| Irish parliament.a thus constituted, will be
] empowered to legislate upon most matters
| of domestic interest, including taxation
trade. navigation, and in a certain event
postal administration. There is to be a
contribution to imperial expenditure, but
l the excess of Irish revenue over enumer-
| ated fixed charges of this character is to
| 90 to the Irish treasury. 1t will not be
within the competen CIV of the Irish par
| lament to legislate in respect to foreign
| or colonial affairs. nor will it be empowered
l to control the army. the navy. or the
other armed forces of the crown. The
nresent indieiary and constahplary. to.
gether with the existing civil service. will
within brief nerjod. he displaced in favor
of Judges. policemen and civil servants
chosen by Dublin parliament. The establish
ment or endowment of q particular relig.
ions sect ia EXPRESSLY forbidden, The vice.
royal ty will be continued. with perhaps
enla rged functions. Init the office viii
cease to he a nolitical one. to he vacated
and relied at each change Of government
in London. The RELIGIONS test being re.
moved. If will nerhaps he thonght ex.
pedient to appo1nt to the post hereafter a
person whose religious views harmonic
With those of the majority of the IRISH
neople.
In conclusion Mr.. Gladstone said IL
saw the Trishman is as oanable of LOYALTY as
any other man. but if his LOYALTY has been
checked whv. if is because the laws by
which he is governed do not present them
selves to him. as they do to us in England
or Scotland. with native and congenial
MI. Trevelyan followed Mr.. Gladstone
making what is regarded as weak speech
against the home rule measure.