The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-25
JOHN BRIGHT'S MANIFESTO
TO THE ELECTORS OF CENTRAL
BIRMINGHAM.
His Position on the Home Rule
scheme-Why He Is Opposed
10 the Bill.

LONDON, June 24.-Mr. John Bright
has Issued the following manifesto to
the electors of Central Birmingham:
GENTLEMEN-Thanking you for bav-
ing elected me in November last, en-
now most Unexpectedly forced to adj
dtess you again. Since November a
single question has occupied the at
tention of the House of Commons
and the country. 1t relates 10 the
future government of Ireland, and
consists of two bills which were thrust
upon Parliament and the country by
the government. One of those bills
was rejected, the other was with
drawn. We are moi told by Mr.. Glai-
stone, or his colleagues, how much or
how little of those unfortunate pro-
posals will reappear in the next Par
lament. We are asked to pledge our
selves to a principle which
may be innocent or mest dan
gerous, as may explained IN future
bills. l cannot give such pledge.
TIE experience Of the pest three
months has not increasfd d my conf
dence in the Weldon Of the admins
tration, or in its polify respecting the
futuie government oi Ireland. We
have before us principle VIII ch Mr..
Gladstone and his supporters do not
explain. l will not pledge myself to
what do not understand and can
not prove. In 1872 l wrote
letter to an Irish gentle.
man, from vhish / extract these
short sentences: ITO have two legis.
lative assemblies in the United King
dom would wYrk intolerable mischief.
No sensible1man can with for two
such assemblies who does not wish
that the Kingdom shall become two or
mera nations entirely separate from
each other" I still adhere to the
opinion, il possible, more firmly than
before. I do not oppose the views
OF the government on account
Iof Blgland more than on account Of
Irelsnd. No Irish Parliament can be
so powerful oriust as the United I'M
perisl Parliament at Westminster.
/ cannot intrust the peace and
interest OF Ireland, North or
South, to the Irish Parliamentary
pa ty.
1t is important to remember,
the letter saye that tie Parnell-
lies have mora members in The
House of Commons than they sre
Justly entitled TO, because of the
eighiy.thr5e Irish seats contested in
the last election the Parnellites Sc.
cured sixty.eiRht, while they only
polled 100000 against the 10000 cast
by the Liberals and Conservatives.
thus, by the accidental distribution
of the Irish votee, securing four seats
to one insteal of tle two neats
to one, which their votes represent.
Sir Joseph Lubbock contends further
that the suffering and discon ent ez-
iitiny in Ireland is not due TO
political. but to economical causee, the
piincipal of ghich, he says, is the po-
tato disease, which he points OCT as q
local trouble beyond tie power Of the
government to prevent He then adds
that TO conce ie separ le government
to Ireland would simply sg-
gravste the suff, ing 10 thar
country. l spoke for her peo-
pie in the Ho' se OF Com
mors and on public 1latforms. | do
this because | am Ell friend IT Ire
land, aud that / reuse TO give her up
to these who recently defea;ed the bill
which would have subjected her. II
YOU re-elect me / thall to the utmost
of my capacity sees only what / con-
ceive to be for the permanent aud rue
welfare of our country. Sincerely end
Critically thanking you for your past
kindness, remdn,