The Irish standard., 1893-03-11
the '.motherlyn parliament in Westmia-
ster. Circumstances favored the scheme

tnS MOGH0FIy parliament IN W06LmlA-
ster. Circumstances favored the scheme
from every point Of view, the very con-
tentions among the religious bodies en-
couraged him to enforce his base policy;
so it's execution promised to be com
paralively easy matter. Pitt had per-
sonal interest in the struggle. Years
earlier, King George became hopeless
lunatic, an accident which surprised no.
body; but produced political rumpus
in England of great magnitude. A ques-
tion was raised concerning the legality OF
recognizing the young Prince OF Wales as
king. The Prince was an avowed Wing,
or, Liberal in modern politics, rather
pronounced in his ideas, and whose in
fiuence with the lower classes had long
excited the jealousy OF court circles.
Pitt opposed his accession to the throne
with such zest that etorm of indigna-
ton was raised in Tory England which
promised to carry the day, when suddenly
the parliament in College Green declared
in favor Of the Prince. This concluded
the contention in his favor, but Pitt never
forgot or forga 70 the insult. The British
treasury, too, was emptied by the Ameri-
can and French wars, whilst Sthe Irish
Golfers contained respectable surplus
This the cunning statesman intended to
sink il the national war debt.
Under cover Of friendly pretensions, be
proceeded to investigate Catholics ia
Catholic countries to determine how far
obedience to Rome is compatible with
loyalty to civil governments. A cursery
survey Of few months sufficed ID con
vince him that his majesty's non-Pfo-
testant subjects night be entrusted with
9 degree OF justice He introduced a
measure 10 Westminster to ameliorate
their condition, and produced general
impression N il Ireland that the British
pariiament was, after all, more tolerant
than their own corrupt institution in
Dublin. The culminus Of this political
lodging was to secure majority in the
Irish parliament, for which purposet Pitt
did not hesitate to bribe ssopenly, To
silence, and even threaten individual
members
The Protestant population had lately
grown suspicious Of ]. .sPapist'' activity,
and excited by intrustei emissaries bo
hind the time was coming when Catholic
Ireland would rule the legislature, and
wreak vengeance for the wrongs Of CEN
turies. Everything conspired to induce
the country TO throw herself with conf
dence into the arms OF protecting"
neighbor.
Great and exciting vas the interest in
Dublin, always alive to it's metropolitan
dignity, on the opening OF sessions, 22nd
January, 1899. The vceregal speech
congratulated the houses on the suppres
sion of the late rebellion. After har-
rowing recital of the nations danger un-
der the existing condition of things, it
concluded amid painful silence that
more intimate consolidation with Great
Britain was necessary, that bill to that
effect was contemplated, was under con-
sideration, was actually prepared for the
discussion OF Lords and Commons! A
division on the question surprised every
body; for there was still some virtue.
some sense of shame in the Irish house,
notwithstanding Pitts willy Vaccinations
Of terror and seduction. His first attack
was repelled by Q majority Of six, email
indeed, IN point Of numbers, but great ID
face of the circumstances.
Pitt bore his defeat With parade of
disinterestedness, and set himself quietly
to mine the citidal he had failed to carry
by assault. Troublesome opponents
we're conciliated, promoted to judge
ships, OF other honors, bribes and pen
sions we're showered broadcast. Catho-
lies were solemnly assured that the first
act Of the Union would be their emanci-
patton. THE Protestants lib Office are too
feeble and cannot afford to deal you ius-
tice. We alone are able to rise above
this miserable dread Of numbers 10
the Protestants equally insidious and
treacherons arguments were proposed.
"See the never ending agitation Of those
papists. Some day they will overwhelm
you; but uniFed to Us you may defy
them \
The question was therefore quickly
brought to a crisis. On May 25th, 1900.
the Union Bill" was introduced to the
Commons, and on the 7th Of June the
College Green assembly met for the last
time Sir Joseph Darlington thus de-
scribes the closing scene: sAt length the
moment arrived, the order Of
the day for third reading Of the bill for
a Legislative union between Great Britain
and Ireland was moved by Lord Castle.
reagh (Pitt) Unvaried, tame, cold
the words seemed frozen as thew
passed his lips, and as if simple citizen
Of the world he seemed to have no sensa-
tion on the subject. Atthat moment. he
h ad M noupfrv ny G.,l lx,,+