The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-18
Weak Points of the Home-Ru Carefully
Hunted Out and Held Up TO Ridicule in
Irritating and Very Effective Style.
Mr.. Gladstone Replies in Brief but
More than Usually Eloquent Speech.
The News from the Royal Patient at San Reno
Is Less Favorable. and His Aged Father
Is Frustrated with Grief-Cable Notes.
BALFOUR's DEFENSE.
The Irish Secretary Proves Himself . ParliA
mentary Debater of High Degree.

The Irish Secretary Proves Himself Parlia.
mentary Debater of High Degree.
LONDON, Feb lZ-Mr. William O'Briens calm
aud dieni6ed speech on his return to Parliament
after imprisonment continues to be the political
sensation of the day. 1t produced a remarkable
impression. The Pail Mall Gazette SAYS this
evening: .sMr. O'Brisn has at single bound
the position of parliamentary debater OF the
first rank. Nothing has been finer during this
session. and few things finer during this Paria-
unent, than the mastery speech in which the
late prisoner Arraigned his jailor, Balfour, and
challenged him. face to face to make good tho
insinuations INDUCED in when his victim was
under lock and key"
Similar comments appear in the other Liberal
newspapers. The Tory whips had prearraneed
tbas Mr. Balfour should reply to Mr.. O'Brieu
Immediately, believing that iu this way it would
be easy to eounteract any impression that the
ex-prisoner might succeed in producing, but Mr..
Balfour evidently found the task too difficult.
At least this is the Interpretation put upon his
silence by those who know what the programme
had beeu 1t is declared the Liberal side
that the Chief Secretary had funksd, and the
Tories did take pains to deny their
belief. This view of the seems
sirens gthaned by the opening sentences Of Mr..
Balfours reply tonight, which were to the
effect that he had wished to take careful sur
vey of the situation before stating the govern
ment's case, and to procure disproof of asser-
tions that had been made. The alleged dis
proof consisted of some of the always obtainable
statements of petty officials who themselves
under coercion as hateful as that which they
are obliged to aid in forcing upon the people.
Mr. Baifour's speech enhanced his reputation as
a parliamentary debater He was cool and dis
pas sionate.
Mr. Gladstone continued the debate. His voice
was weaker than usual, but the House main ntained
such perfect silence that he had difficulty in
making himself heard The speech was re-
markable for its eioquence, and was indeed .
wholly rhetorical effort. with almost entire
absence of the argumentative and statistical
style of which MIR. Gladstone is perfect q
master. When he apologized for his physical
weakness, as shown by his occasionally failing
voice, saying that he not young he
was, the House burst into whir OF SYM
pathetic applause the Liberals ana Parnelli.es
arising masse and waving their hats aud
handkerchefs at him. He seemed much affected
by the incident.
The Daily News says: "Mr Gladstone spoke
with versatility, power, pathos eloquence and
argumentativs cogency he has seldom equaled
and never surpassed HIS magnificent oration
fully justified tho wonderful closing scenes.
The whole world might be ransacked to show .
nobler spectacle than the grand old man. with
the ardor of youth. pursuing his blessed work Of
uniting two peoples"