St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-10-03
THE GREAT CONTEST.
Nothing Less Than Complete Home
Rule for Ireland.

NEWCASTLE, Oct. al have noticed
that, instead of firing of it, meetings
have always hailed any mention of Ire
land with eagerness, doubtless because
the people are conscious that other work
will be delayed until this is dealt with.
Our opponents fay that the government
deserves well of the country, for they
are going to introduce a local govern
ment bill for Ireland, and their policy
III Ireland has been successful. l am
glad that they promise to introduce the
bill; but it is death-bed repentance.
For this sixth year parliament and the
government have pledged themselves not
to adopt coercion, and not to use British
credit to purchase Irish land; also to
Introduce local government. They have
spent five years in breaking two of these
pledges, and now, in artIculo morris,
they seek to redeem the remaining
pledge.
I'VE shall see. as we have already
seen in the case of free education and
other reforms, with what sort of smile
and countenance the Tories will present
local government; but we know the bill
will not be real affirmation of the
principle of equal rights. 1t is an idle
tale-that of local government without
NOuOlO1 VI lHC pOliCCs ~ pIOpOSc W
withhold this control is equivalent to
proposing TO create parliament with
out the power of regulating taxation.
Il ask myself what is the motive that
induces our opponents to persist in this
for them-hopeieSS contest. Usually
great party engaged in great battle
has some great object before 1t. What
is the object they propose? Isit because
they are governed by the fear of an
Irish nation? Well, gentlemen, it is
an Irish nation under five millions and
a government always fond of assuring
us that two of those five millions are
enthusiastically on their side. Then
how strange is their position. The ma
jOrity is credited with the diabolical in
tention to Cypress the minority. Yet
one would think that this minority was
not wholly incapable of some effort in
its own defense, especially when it is
supported by 35,00O,000 of English,
Scotch and Welshmen, not one of whom,
be he Liberal, Conservative, d!ssident,
or anything else. would for d moment
tolerate the slightest indication of such
an oppression.
"a condemnatory verdict was long
ago pronounced by England with refer
enCe to her conduct towards Ireland.
A sum of not less than e3, 900, 600 is
annually thrown into the sea under the
operations of the present legislation in
Ireland. Parliament Will never over
take the arrears in public business
until this terrible Irish policy is out of
the way.
''In the period to come it is clear that
it must be either friendship or enmity
with Ireland. To see one country OPP
pressed by the rulers of another country
Is heartrending sight, but this is not a
question OF cruel tyrants or selfish
oligarchieS. You are SeIfgOVerned
people, by your votes determining
the course the imperial policy must
follow. With this power you must
accept the duties and responsibilities
which belong to it. If Ireland is OPP
pressed hereafter it will be oppressed
by you, people of England. The spec
tacle of one people depressing another
is the saddest, most heartrending and
humbling that can be seen on the sur
face of the earth. l can never believe
that great nation Will place itself in
such position.
When the proper period comes the
general sense of the country will ratify
the judgment already given at nearly
hundred points, and the entire people
of England will, by great and decisive
majority, determine to finally dispose
of these demands now made upon them
i'll the cleareSt and most audible tones,
after long and painful experience
made upon them alike by their honor,
their interest. and their.duty before God
and man." At the conclusion of Mr..
GladStone's speech there was an out
break Of enthusiastic cheering which
was prolonged for several minutes