Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-12-24
TIE BRITISH CRISIS.
A Significant Speech by Chamberlain on
the Irish Question.

A Significant Speech by Chamberlain on
the Irish Question.
LONDON, December 24th-A. Cham
berlain made speech at a private meeting
of the Birmingham Liberal Council last
evening. He said the political situation is
an extraordinary and critical one. 1t has
totally changed within twenty-four hours.
" Although" he continued 1 have often
differed with Lord Randolph Church.
i'll, l have never failed TO do ius-
tice to his great ability and quick
appreciation of public sentiment.
Though raised in old Toryism, he had re-
peatedly risen superior to it, and his posi-
ton in the present Government was a
guarantee that they would not pursue a
reactionary policy. ChurchiIl's recent
speeches displayed liberal principles upon
the most important questions His resig-
nation is very significant announcement
1t seems the old Tory influence has
gained the upperhand. The key note of
Churchills policy was to maintain an
alliance with the Unionists, although per
haps the Tories had grown wise by expert
ence and were prepared to govern IN a
liberal spirit. If they had abandoned that
intention, Lord Salisbury must be pre-
pared for the consequences. Now, gentle
men, in view this startling change, ask
myself
WHAT ARE THE GLADsToSIANs TO DO?
1t seems to me tnat they have great and
perhaps final opportunity. We Liberals
agree upon ninety nine points, and disagree
upon only one. Even upon Irish matters,
when look into the'thing, l am more sur
prised at the number of points whereon
we agreed than at the remainder upon
which, for the present, we must be content
to differ. My opposition to Gladstone's
bill has been grossly misrepresented.
never said was opposed to the great land
scheme. | opposed the Gladstone bill
mainly upon two grounds. First, l be-
lieved 1t would involve loss which British
taxpayers ought not to bear. Second, ann
not prepared to do anything precluding an
arrangement to make Ireland practically in
dependent. 1t is one thing to use all the
resources of the State to benefit your fellow
citizens. It is different thing altogether
10 undertake the TASK Tor those about to
drift from you but / never doubted tha! it
was possible to devise plans for the
SETTLEMENT OF THE land QUESTION.
am convinced that any of the three
Liberal leaders can soon arrange a scheme
which, withQnt, tbroYips an unfair risk ON
make the Irish tenant owner of the land
he cultvates. We would go even further
in the direction of unity. Even on the
question of local government our difference
recedes. We have all agreed on a scheme.
applicable to England and Scotland, and
we are prepared to apply it, with the neces-
sary change OF details. Are we to remain
disjointed, fighting, and internicine strife for
the benefit of our opponets or
ARE WE TO MAKE THIS HONEST ATTEMPT ?
If we do not agree on every point, at least
we can agree TO hurry these important re-
forms on which there are no differences of
opinion between US, and leave it to time
and a frank discussion of the subject to
say whether, when we have accomplished
these reforms, we may not go a step fur
ther in the direction of views that now,
unfortunately, our opponents are oppoS-
ing ?" Loud cheers
Chamberlain, writing to the leaders of
the Crofter party, expresses his willingness
to take charge in Parliament of needful
amendments to the Crofter's Act.