The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-01-11


mestic affairs has been taken out of the
Constitution, and everything danger
GUS to your interests and the integrity
of the Empire has been rejected, That
is my answer to those who say that we
are lowering the flag Of our country.
because we have met YOU and waived
our strict ghts-walyed them where
those strict rights are not necessary to
the advantage GasOur country, and be-
cause we say. akEd say loyalty, that If
this system is adopted it will result in
the permanent union of the two coun
tries, in the strengthening of this great
Empire, and in the happiness and pros
perity of our own country cloud cheers).
ALWAYS TOO LATE.
Now, the Imperial Parliament after
the Union might have legislated for
Ireland justly. They might have
justice could come to our coun-
try. But did they? No, They lost
their opportunity just as Mr.. Balfour
lost it in 1887. just as every Government
lost it from 1860 up to the present day
(hear, hear). They were always too
late (hea1, hear). The loyal minority
in Ireland prevented them from legls-
lating Justly for Ireland in time. How
many years did it take after the Union
before Catholic Emancipation was
granted? 1t took 30 years. It was not
yielded because it was right; it was only
yielded because the English Minister
told the King that the peace of Ireland
could not be maintained unless it was
granted. The attempts of Irish land
reforms in 1852 were rejected. They
asked very little, some slight recognl-
tion of the tenants right to sell bis
interest; but that was too much for the
Parliament at Westminster, and it was
refused. In 1870 Mr.. Gladstone, with
great difficulty, carried a Land Act.
He could not do anything better at that
time. Things went from bad to worse.
The Irish landlords were allowed to
cOeyce their tenants out Of the prOvl-
slons of the Act of 1870. Then came
the crisis Of 1879. We all know the
history of the Land Act OF 1886. the
Compensation for Disturbance OF Ten
ants Blll-how that little Bill, which
it it had been passed. would have pre-
vented all the terrible troubles OF 1880
and 1sSl--that Bill was thrown OUT
upon The first reading by the House Of
Lords.
MIR. FORSTER AND THE LORDS.
Irecoilect Mr.. Forster-ah, Mr.. Forster
ought to have told the House OF Lords
TO govern Ireland themselves-he ough-
not TO have held office for single mOt
ment after the rejection Of the bill. L
recollect his coming up to group OF us
Irish members in Palace-7ard after the
rejection of that bill, aud saying to as,
pointing with his thumb over In the
direction of the House of Lords. IF
they do that again shall Leave 5hem to
govern Ireland by themselves (crles OF
SEnd them') But I knew too we'll
that the rejection Of that Oil' would put
the situation in Ireland beyond e,the:
MIR. Forster's control or the contrul OF
ANY other man, aud that it Wolid be too
late next year to talk about q COmpen-
sa1jon tor Disturbance Bill. And SO
it was.
DEFECTS IN THE ACT OF 81
We know how, although chat Act was
passed in 1881, there are to this day
many thousands OF Irish tenants WHO
have never been able, owing u the
block in the courts and the Imperfect
tion Of machinery, to come uultr It's
beneficial machinery. Coercion mas
always been swift to strike, but reme-
dial legislation from Westminster has
been slow, halting in its steps, and dis
appointing III its results, and too late
when it does come.
1T is HOPELESS TO LOOK TO WEST
MINISTER.
Well, I think l have shown you suf-
hciently we'll that it is hopeless to look
to Westminster (hear. hearb lnasmuch
as eighty years. experiences has shown
that a Parliament at Westminster Is
unable or unwilling to paw attention to
the wants of Irelaud-it is time to give
us the power to pay attention to them
ourselves (cheers). And We are conf
dent that we shall get that power re-
newed cheers). We recognize tor the
first time that we are WITHIN the con-
stltutiou, and that within the .Constitu-
tion we are sure OF victory. Our people
could never really feel this before.
When was commencing the founda.
tion of my party in 1887, used to
preach this to them, aud yet I could
not help admitting to myself all the
time-..Well, these people really have
no reason to believe in the faith which
I Ikave. but which it is diffcult-impos-
sible-fOr me to ask them to believe"
A CHAN0E.
But they believe with me in Ireland
now. They believe that all things will
come to them peacefully and will come
t., them soon. You were taken un-
awares at the last general election. you
had not the time to grasp the situation,
but it is time that you did not believe
every lie that was told you. You are
sufficiently instructed upon every merit
of that question, and you have made up
your minds (cheers), and all we want
nOW.is
THE OPPORTUNITY
lcheers] We a:e not IN a hurry for the
opportunity. Ii they like to go on for
two or three years longer it will be SO
much the worse for themselves; but we
should be glad to have it to morrow.
and whenever it comes we are ready.
/ now desire to say that shall carry a
message from you to my country OF
hope and good cheer [cheersl /. This
great meeting will encourage them, and
it will consolidate them in the belief
that jusJicesw be done TO them cheers. ]
All we want is that our people shall
remain steady, aud that you shall re-
main steady [cheers], and we feel con
ylnced that the great Liberal party,
who have never yet lost battle [cheeIs],
will win, and win trlumphantly [fe-
neWed cheers] headed by our glorious
<7Ny1 1knrsf