The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-06-15

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the session of 1887, Immediately after
the publication, when We first made it.
You also recoi|ect how again when the
proceedings in ODonnell and Walter
threw fresh light upon these infamous
productions that our demand for an in
Quiry before tribunal under which, as
experience has subsequently shown. we
could have demonstrated the fraudulent
character Of the documents in question,
certainly in a weeks time. was again
refused, but that how. under cover of
offering us tribunal of a different
character from that which we sought.
they forced upon US an inquiry into
everything, into every imaginable
speech that was ever made into every
newspaper article that was ever written,
not only in Ireland, not only in Eng
land but in every part Of the world, Ey
any Irishman under any circumstances
whatever (''Hear, hearty. That was the
price which the country had to pay for
the purpose of clearing my character
from the stigma Of these letters, and
that, gentlemen, is price should not
have consented on any account to the
countrv's paying, We did not accept
this commission " Ne do not, we never
have acknowledged the justice of the
reference loud cheers). We die not,
we never have admitted by any word or
act OF ours that this tribunal was fair
tribunal, or one Of a character and con-
stitutiOn competent to inquire into the
issues laid before it (renewed cheers).
For these issues as they have been put
b.fOre the Commission of Judges are
not issues which can ever be decided by
any earthly tribunal ("Hear, hear').
How far speeches tended to promote
outrage or to discourage crime will,
suppose, remain a matter for contention
between political parties as long as the
subject is discussed ('Hear, hear"l.
History, believe, the verdict of history
will be upon our side. (cheers), but these
are questions which from their very ma
ture must be left to history to settle.
and no tribunal Of judges ignorant Of
the history of Ireland ("Hear, hear'')
knowing nothing of the character of her
people, without information as to the
circumstances, by educa-
ton, birth, feeling, and habits of
thought, political conviction, and train
ing, averse to theaspirati OF Ireland,
is fitted or able to decide the grave is
sues that have been laid before us for
decision {cheers). I have not, [ never
have anticipated, that any harm could
come either to my colleagues or to my
country from this reference to these
judges {cheers), I believe that our
cause is so good and SO strong, and that
the public opinion Of the world that
even under all these disadvantages
which have recited to YOU, even with
the dice loaded against us. and with the
cards. with the trump cards as they had
hoped ("Hear, bear") up their sleeves,
we shall come out Of this far reaching
INQUIRY untouched and unharmed,
frightened with the trial, and that our
will stand clearer and prouder
than when she entered upon this ordeal
(cheers) But my position, gentlemen,
is this, that right has been transgressed
in these proceeding, and that under the
pretext of inquiry into crime a political
issue has been laid before men for de-
cision, who are not cO.nDetent to give it
fair decision (cheers]. Speaking for
cannot admit, cannot recol-
lect that have ever--certainly not in
public speech, but even in my own
mlnd contemplated the contingency of
failure of our movement (cheers). and
certainly never have contemplated what
our action would be if that movement
failed But will say to you, gentle
men, tonight that if our constitutional
were to falkland I believe
when l speak thus that I speak the
opinions of my eighty five colleagues in
the House of Commons-I say if our
constitutional movement were to TAIL. it
it became evideut that we could not by
Parliamentary action and continued
representation at Westminster restore
to Ireland ihe high privilege of self
and of making her own
laws in our own House at home, I for
one would not continue to remain for
twenty four hours longer IN the House
of Commons at Westminster (prolonged
cheering): and I believe. as have said,
that in that sentiment speak the
views Of my colleagues; but more than
that, gentlemen, believe the Irish con-
stituencies would not consent to allow
us to remain (cheers), and that has been
the view which our countrymen at home
and abroad have always taken of our
action They don't believe that we
come here as mere Parliamentarians to
humbug and cheat the just expectations
of our people at home. They know we
came here to
OBTAIN THIS DEFINITE AND ONE
OBJECT,
and If by the way we tried to obtain
other concessions it was because we
were anxious to do good to the humber
classes Of our cOuntrymen as we went
along. [ have had many aud
FAITHFUL COLLEAGUES, COURAGEOUS
AND TRUE
(cAeers), how faithful, how self sacrific-
ing, and how true the public will never
know. I have had behind me country
whose pulse throbbedin sympathy with
our exertions, and upon whose conf
dence and support we could rely and
feel strong in (cheers); strong in the
support, confident in the good esteem
Of our own cOuntrymen, we have re-
NAMED at our post, and l believe we
are very near reaping the richest and
highest reward of all in the realization
OF those hopes which have always glad
dened the heart of every Irishman,
whether in times of trial, of suffering,
or of martyrdom, that some day Or other
it would be possible for the public opin-
ion of ireland to assert itself freely. and
to lead our country, our self governing
country, along the path Of nationhood
(lOud cheersl.