New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-03

the fulfilment of the National wish. We shall
see. as we have already seen in the case of free
education and other reforms. with what sort Of
smile and countcnance the Tories will present local
government, but we know the bill will not be
real affirmation Of the principle of equal right
1t is an idle tale--that of local government
without control Of the police. The whole history
of local government, from cradle to maturity, has
been the history of systems devised for the pur-
pose of enabling the people TO make local pro-
vision for the security Of their own lives and
property and to propose to withhold the control
Of police is equivalent to proposing 10 create
Parliament without the power of regulating
taxation. We can afford to await the bill with
perfect calmness. You may depend that, as we
have done in the past, shall endcavor TO resist
and erase what is bad, and extend and develop
what is good, and make it subservient to the
purposes Of a sound and enlightened Government"
In combating the assertion that the govern
ment of Ireland had been a success, Mr.. Glad
stone reminded his hearers at length that what the
Government called crime in Ireland was aGrarian
combination TO secure the tenants undeteminate
but often real rights. No dougt these combina-
tions sometimes developed real crime; but the
Government had not waited for the develop
ment of the crime. Instead, they had interiered
with private liberty in a manner that would not
be tolerated a moment in this country. They
dealt at length in statistics of agrarian crime in
Ireland, for the purpose Of displaying
that under his regime such crime
was reduced by one-eighth, as against the
hoasted onc.half by tie present Administration.
They admitted that there was an increase after
the Liberal Administration, but said that was due
TO the exceptional distress in 1886 and the in
of In ton tS fo nav Parliament
was entrcated and cOnlured to make some prONl-
sion TO alleviate the distress, but absolutely re.
fused. That was the sole cause OF the increase oil
offences and the subsequent reduction OF oHcnces
followed the passing away of the distress ana the
passage of the remedial land act, which relieved
the tenants, to great extent, OF tle dllhcuI'leS
they were unable TO surmount.
SO far as ordinary, and not agrarlan, crime Is
concerned" continued the speaker, ma from
available statistics slight increase, instead OF d
decrease recorded but of that you hear nOthing'
In the eyes of the present Government no crime
is important unless il affects the collection OF land
lords rents. Another reason for the increased
observance of the law in Ireland is the friendship
of the people of Great Britain. lrlshmen have
interpreted the conduct of the Liberal party as
true index of the sentiment of the country at
large. 1t is for us to carry to an issue me queS-
ton whether they are well justified in the infer
ence they draw.
But can we make no appeal TO our opponents
in the hours Of silent reflection, and apart from
all excitement of passion and controversy? ask
myself what is the motive that induces our OPP
ponents TO persist in this-for them-hopelcss con-
test Usually great party engaged IN q gteae
battle has some great object before it. What is
the object they propose? Is it because they are
Governed by the fear of an Irish Nation? we'll
gentlemen il is an Irish Nation under five mill
ions, and a Government always fond of assuring
us that two of those five millions are enthusias
ticay their side. Then how strange rs tnelr
position The majority is credited with the
ddiabolical intention to oppress the nj
nority Yet one would think that this minority
was not wholly incapable OF some enort m its M
moi one Of whom, be he Liberal, Conservative Dis
sident or anything else. would for q moment
tolerate the slightest indication of such an op-
preston. daughter and cheers)
I" | hardly think fear beat the rest Of this OPP
position OF 1t is not fear for the reputation OF tne
country is it. that compels their policy in Ireland
10 he continued? I? The reputation of country is
measured by a standard easily got at if it means
what its neighbos think Of it. b Ihe reputation naT
ties in Russia itself. 1t would not be so high, now
ever, il measured by the r, OPINION nror,I OF
the civilized world. tCries, of Hear Hear
A condemnatory verdict was long ago pronounced
by England with reference 10 her conduct toward
Ireland Is it because the Government thlhk
their policy contributes toward the strength 2 OF
the Empire that that policy is continued? Inc
strength of the Empire consists in entire unity is IL
for the interest of the public purse, then? A sum
into the sea under the operations of the present
legislation in Ireland | referred to arrears IN
public business. Parliament Will never oyertake
these arrears unll tnlS cIil"lO 'iioi P''iNJ -"
In the period to come it is clear that it must
be either friendship or enmity with Ireland There
nSa h3s 9ssn for centure and in eR tRose
when enmity not friendship, was CHOSEN
as an alternative, IL was enmity with me STATES,
not with the peoples You have arrived at ptr poie
to say, after the next general election ths enliy
if il continue will be enmity with the peoples
and not with the States TO see ore cGan'ry Eeo T
rendng sight. This is not a question oil cruei
tyrantS, selfish cigarchies. You are selfgoverned
people, by your votes determining the course , une
imperial policy must follow. With this power you
must accept the duties and responsibilities winch
belong to it, If Ireland is oppressed hereafter
il will be oppressed by you, people OF England
The epectace Of one people oppTesslng another
is the saddest, most heartrendlng and hunDlhs
that can be seen on the surface Of the earth
| can never believe that "a great Nation VIII place
itself in such position In truth, this question
of friendship or enmity has already been CON
Sidered i'm some degree. 4 decided dec lara
ton in favor of friendship has been
made in most constitutional manner py
the results Of the polls. Our opponents now
brpin 10 admit it 10 he something Formidable.
The elections recently decided are SAFE SAFE
indication of what is to come as the verdict Inc
constituencies have spoken not only the sober,
the inst and the true, hut also the lncVltaDlc
Cheers Upon these verdicts Ireland relics
You have watched her conduct in the dl1cult
circumstances Of the last nine months lheaE
hear )-conduct which, | do not hesitate 10 risk
saying, has evoked in every breast responsive
voice of sympathy, and Of increased CONVICTION
that we may deal safely and prndently with our
fellow subjects in Ireland. Hear. hear y Such IS
your conviction, and when the proper pcriod comes
fhe opncral sense of the country VIII
ratify the Judgment already given at nearly hun hun
drcd points The entire people OF England Will
10y a great and decisive majority determine 10
finally dispose of these demands now made upon
Them in tie ccarest and most audible tones aIter
n long and painful cXperience-made upon them
alike by their honor their interest and their duty
before God ard man.
At the conclusion of Mr. Gladstone's speech
there was an outburst Of enthusiastic cheering
which lasted for several minutes.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt proposed vote oi
thanks TO Mr. Gladstone and 70 the chairman
Mr. Morley seconded the motion. Both speakers
culogizcd the great leader Mr. Morley adding Una Ihat
he had attended seven meetings of the Liberal Fed
grafton. but had never seen one 50 full OF good
omcns for the future. The proceedings closed with
tLa ein0inG Of Amid Lang Syne