The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-12-27
COLLEAGUES, NOT SLAVES.
The Cicero of the Parliamentary Party
Makes an Impassioned Appeal
to Parnell.
Mr.. SEXTON's VlNDICATION.
II Have Been Faithful, and My Friends
Have Been Faithful, in Our FealtY
to this Partv.'

AT the meeting o. the Irish party in
the committee room of the house of
commons to consider Mr.. Parnell's
retirement from thes leadership, Mr.
Sexton spoke in part as follows:
We are body OF representative men
who are tojujge OF the bearings Of puhlic
constituents. The case is one for the
calm and firm exercise OF an indepen-
dent Judgment. Nothing that can
happen here can obliterate the services
of Mr. Parnell from the heart of the
country or from the history of his time
lhear, hear. But, gentlemen, no SER
vice by any leader entities him to ruin
his cause (cheers), and indeed the great
or the services that he has rendered.
the greater The capacity and the genius
that he has shown, the greater cause
have we and che greater righr to look
60 him and to expect him, for such time
as NAV be needed. to sacrifice his per
sOnal feeling, aud even sOme part of his
personal prestige, for the supreme in
terest OF his country (appaust) have
spoken Of the necessity of guarding by
prompt actiOn-action prompt, decided,
and duDmisfakable--th the alliance between
ireland and the Liberal party, which is
our only hope. What Will become of
that alliance ii we delay? have it on
the best authority that tha Irish Press
agency--our proDagandlst department
IN this cO,lntryhas ceased to nave any
usef,ll existence. Its literature is not
being sought for; it's speakers are no
longer wanted; and II the present TN.
certainty is allowed to remain and the
growing passion to dpvelnp, is not that
one sign sufficient token that before we
have time TO meet in Dublin or else
where the alliance, which has already
been strained to the point Of snndering
by the excitement caused by MIR. Glad
stones declaration, may be broken off !,
and broken off forever (Ilear, heaI).
l do not dwell upon the point that we
ought to meet In Dublin. + wish we
had Oftener met IN Dublin, submit to
you that in this grave matter, as IL
every other case of public duty. we are
bound first TO act upon our Judgment,
snd then to account to our constituents
fhear, hear) The dictats OF nv judg
nent is quite clear. Even my con
stltuents could not alter 1t (hear, hear)
There Is no power on earth that could
alter it, for it is the fat Of my con-
science (hear, hear). But So far as con
Germs my constituents | have not the
slightest reason To doubt that they con
cuv with me. They ara aware of my
intaDtion. They have ample notice of
IL. No word has reached me to dis
s,'af;e noe from my course. am entitled
20 assume their assent, aud / do most
absolutely assume it (hear. hear). am
under no heed to resort to them or con
suit them. but If hereafter it should
appear that nv action to day IS uusatis-
factory to them shall not wait to te
called upon to retire, but shall faclli
tate them by Instantly restoring to
their hand. the public trust | have
kept nnstained (applause) So much
upon the question OF appeal. ! fad AN
urgent case before me. claim to act
On any conscience. say there is no
human power, whatever 1t he, that
could alter NV decision. II nv cOnsti
tuents support me shall be proud of
their confidence. II they dissent from
ms / shall accept the penalty lhear,
near), There is excellent reason to
believe that the unfortunate conjnnc
ture Of affairs that has arisen invites
the government that is now expressing
ireland to resort to dissolution. How If
a dissolution finds us with the question
undetermined (cheers1, with England,
with large classes OF persons enraRed
bv the present condition Of affairs, with
our own country torn into wars anc
factionsp We should be thrown at the
mercy of the enemy CHEERS and counter
cheers).
Mr. Parnell-At the mercy Of the
A'unrivalled coerciOnist Of the Irish
race" (cheers and counter cheers).l
Mr.. Sexton And I therefore regard
it as main point Of political policy aud
q necessary matter of prudence that
hetore Tory government have an op.
portuuity Of resorting to a dissolution
this unfortunate and lamentable ques-
ton which engages ns to day shall be
determined one way or the other (hear,
hear). An intolerahle evil would be
suspense, a supreme danger would be
lack Of determination and decision.
There is another reason for urgency
wAlcn is demanded BY self respect.