The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-14
Maintaining that an Irish Parliament Must
Be Granted or the British Government
Must Resort to Coercive Policy.
MIR. Goschen Delivers a Strong Speech
In Opposition to the Pending Bill,
And Gladstone Takes the Floor, Defends His
Proposition, and Says 1t Is Open to Modi-
fcation-Suicide of Earl Shaftesbury.
THE HOME-RULE BILL.
Speeches by Sir william -Harco

Speeches by Sir william -Harcourt,
Mr.. Goschen and Mr.. Gladstone.
LONDON, April 13. Sir William Vernon-Har-
court Chancellor of the Exchequer, tonight re-
sumed the debate on the Irish bill, in the House
of Commons. He began by saying that those
who condemned the governments measure failed
to state an acceptable alternative scheme No
body accepted Mr.. Trevelyan's plan, and Mr.
Chamberlains project was in turn repudiated by
Lord Harrington and Mr.. Trevelyan. Mr..
Chamberlain had propounded scheme OF great
importance, but that scheme had never been
submitted TO the government He Mr.. Cham
berlainl had recommended federation. What
were to be those separate bodies in Great Brit
ain and Ireland which we're to be the subject
matter of the federation recommended Mr.
Chamberlain had plan to stay evictions by act
of Parliament Who was agreed to that Dolicy9
Had he got the adhesion Of Lord Hartingtonf
Had he got the adhesion Of Mr.. Goschen or
the adhesion of the right honorable gentleman
and the lord opposite. If he had not, the speak
er should like to know how it was practicable
policy Lord Harrington had said he did not ad-
NIT the impossibility Of governing Ireland by a
mingled system of remedial and repressive leg
islation. It was to the administration OF Lord
Spencer that he thought the government OF Ire
land ought to be restored It had been stated
by Lord Harrington that whatever the fate Of
this measure was. the mere introduction of it by
q responsible government would do much that
could never be recalled. That was perfectly
true; but it was equally true of the events Of
last June. The consequences of those events
ho~ 1aN Thnca 70 nnfir alxy
changed the whole aspect of the Irish question
The course then taken made home fule newt
able. [Cries of "Oh,' "Oh," and laughter.l He
did not want to speak in spirit Of party re-
elimination, but the act of the late gov
ernment was a condemnation of the
policy of Earl Spencer. 1t made
return to the system Of government admins
tered by Earl Spencer impracticable. Lord
Spencer himself was of that opinion. The speak
er taunted the opponents of this measure with
having no basis for an agreement on the Irish
policy. Did Mr.. Goschen, he asked, approve
Mr.. Chamberlains plan for a central council at
Dublin or the suspension of evictions2 Had the
Conservative leader any policy except condemna-
ton of Mr.. Gladstone's scheme9
Lord Randolph Churchill-Yes; they are
against repeal in any shape or form.
The speaker retorted that that might mean as
much as Lord Beaconsfeld's denunciation of the
f5 franchise at the very moment when he de-
signed to carry through household suffrage
measure. Continuing, he said the fact was that
there was no alternative to the plan Of the gov
ernment except the severest coercion. That
would require a strong governments govern
ment determined, persistent, in harmony with
itself, supported by overwhelming majority
in Parliament and in the country. Such gov
ernment had been dreamed of as resulting from
truce of parties and the end Of party warfare;
but it was not by the breaking of parties that
strong government could be formed
Referring to the exclusion of aristocrats
from the Ministry. he said he was not sorry for
tEem-only that it would be bad for the aristo-
Gratis. Did they think it possible to make a
policy of coercion, like Cromwells, out of the
broken fragments Of q shattered party? A
policy of coercion was like strong drink-the
more taken the more was wanted. He would
not deny that such policy might be popular.
The war with the American colonies was popu-
lar. 1t excited the pride and passions Of the
people, but they became sick Of it at last So
with coercion: if again tried, it must go to the
length of the suspension of the elementary rights
Of Irishmen. They would find that coercion
would fail. and they would be forced back on
home rule, not as an act ofsconscience, but as an
act of capitulation. Reference" continued the
speaker, has been made to the Irish in America.
The House cannot for moment be influenced
by the action of jastardly assassins like Ford
aud others; but the Irish nation in America is as
namerous as the Irish are at home All possess
the same instincts and the same sympathies.
They have not been parties to the actions of
assassins. These actions of assassination re-
ceive universal condemnation from the people of
the United States: but if you reject this bill do
you believe. are you sure, there will not be sym
pathy with those assassins and their schemesi
Kisses and cries of .'Oh," .Oh.rl / believe
there will be universal condemnation and disap-
probation from htthinking people-Irish and
American-of such treatment of the Irish peo-
plen [Cries of Hear
Mr.. Goschen, on rising, was greeted with loud
cheers. He referred to Sir William Harcount's
speech as melancholy revelation of the impor.
tence of Parliament to deal with a most impor-
tant crisis. Sir William Harcount he said, was
not the first Minister who suggested certain Ca
lamities ensuing on the rejection of the bill.
Parliament was being almost terrorized to pass
the bill They were told that there was no
power, spirit or consistent policy In England to
deal with the crisis. Why should Sir
William Harcount Mr.. Morley and
other speakers make these con
stant reference to the Irish beyond the seas
unless they desired not to deal with the bill on
| its merits. but to terrorize Parliament The
| ministerial defense Of the bill had been stabbed.
the bill had been torn into shreds, yet there had
been no defense for it. Questions had been
ders sitting together, and the inaDcial proposals
yet the defenders of the bill had ignored these
questions, adducing the single argument thai
the bill was the sole alternative and