The Irish standard., 1893-01-07

VS. ra' . =. T.
Affairs were in this condition on the
opening Of Parliament in 1880. The SEES
sion promised to be one of profound In
tereet. The Lord Liuetenant's speech
alluded to certain intentions Of King
George concerning free trade, but bis
words were provokiDgly vague and un-
meaning. The assembly felt that the time
had come to strike mortal blow at tyr
amy, hence, Grattan proposed terse
amendment to the address, 1--WE beg to
represent to his majesty that it is not by
temporary expedients, but by free trade
alone that this nation is now to be saved
from ruin" The government supporters
saw it was useless to oppose the spirit Of
the House, and recognizing the presence
| of armed batallions in the streets, with
the suggestive attractive "Free Trade, or
else hung round the mouths OF
their cannon, gave fearful and angry
assent.
This success crowned the preceding
efforts, and paved the way to the final
goal Legislative Independence. Ed
mund Burke and Grattan were ia doubt
as TO how far the military organization
could be trusted, and desired to know if
it was really prepared to take the field,
should the government refuse to reoog-
nriize' their full claims? The time-hon-
ored convention Of Dungannon was
called to determine this question. CIR
cumstances were favorable. Britain was
still at war with France, her trusted gen.
eral. Corvallis, had surrendered in
America, the Volunteers had devoted the
previous year to severe discipline, and
presented truly martial appearance.
The convention was bold idea. direct
defiance of the powers in London-who
could do nothing moro than look on in
rage and CONSERVATION. Grattan's mem
orable resolution was put and carried
amidst scene Of wild enthusiasm, not
| even dissenting voice being heard in
that assembly Of statesmen and warriors.
The issue OF the struggle was defined
..that the claim Of any body Of men other
than the Lords and Commons of Ire
land to make laws to bind this kingdom
is unconditional, illegal, and griev-
ance." Numerous schemes were set on
foot to delay the popular determinations;
preiudices between Catholics and Prot
estants were appealed to. the duplicity
Of the Celtic Opposition was paraded by
intrusted agents, but Grattan was in
flexible. He told the willy ministers Of
England that '.no time" would be given,
and fixed the 18th of April 1782for bring
ing forward his "Declaration of Legisla-
tive Independence" Early in the same
month King George instructed his cabi-
net in London to take the matter into
most serious consideration. Naturally,
h othing came of the cabal, but it showed,
at least, q conciliatory tendency towards
the Irish situation.
H The sixteenth Of April arrived amid
extreme excitement. The nation was
teverishly concerned, not that failure
was apprehended, but their fondest hopes
were about to be realized. College Green
and the "Old House. never looked 80
majestic; Volunteer sabres cleaned in
the stree9s, and bands Of military music
called the populace forth in their thous-
ands. It was the commencement OF
new era. The house vas formally
opened, then his majesty's speech-the
first message Of peace from an English
sovereign to Ireland was read. A sol.
emn silence fell on the scene Of gaiety
when Grattan arose to make his immor-
hi amendment. It was as follows: IRE
solved that the Lords and Commons Of
Ireland only are competent to make
laws binding this realm, and that no
other laws would be obeyed save only
chose enacted by the Lords and Com
mons Of Ireland whose rights and priv
leees jointly and severally they were de-
.termined to support withu their lives and
fortunes.
The Declaration wis carried without
even q division, after which Parliament
took . short recess, 90 that England
might have an opportunity to deal With.
the question. No one doubted tho issue,