The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1894-07-07
BIRTH OF A FUTURE KING.

queen tlCCOFlH, I0CoAU1y gave VA oA w "
son, who by hereditary succession is
possible heir to the British throne. The
Commoners assembled at Westminster
passed q formal vote of congratulation to
the Queen upon the happy event, but
there was one man representing the de-
mocracy who did not join in the joyous
felicitation. He saw no reason for being
in raptures over the advent OF future
king of the realm, and said so in plain
Anglo~Saxon. The brave mans name is
James Kier Hardie, labor member OF
parliament, who despises sycophantic
congratulations upon the arrival OF an
other royal scion of the prolific house OF
Guelph. Kier hardie is a bluff Eng lsh
miner who is tired of royalty and aristoc-
racy, and he frankly told the assembled
representatives. Of the people that they
had no occasion to be exultant over the
birth of q young prince who may one
day ascend the throne now occupied by
his grandmother for more than half a
century. He reminded them that in
these days, when the people were clam
oring for the abolition of the House Of
Losds, it was out of place for the peoples
representatives to pass resolutions OF
congratulation upon the birth of heir
apparents or heir presumptives to the
throne. Strange to say, an IRISH Orange
man-Col Saunderson--wast the first who
interrupted Mr.. Hardie. The speech OF
the blunt Epglishman is worth repro.
ducing in part, as follows: II owe
allegiance to no hereditary ruler. [Cries
of oh! Ohr1 The motion proposes to
raise the Importance Of On event OF every
day occurrence. I am delighted to learn
that the child is fairly healthy. [Cries
of oh! Ohr] I shall he pleased to join
in the ordinary congratulations it meet
the child'e parents, but when the House
of Commons, representing the nation, is
asked to join in congratulations, then, in
the interest of the dignity of the house,
/ protest. There is one aspect of the
question which concerns the House OF
Commons. A cabinet minister was re-
quired by law to be present upon this
occasion. I submit that such
a proceeding is not calculated to enhance
the dignity of this house in the eyes OF
the nation. [Cries of Order! Rot?] You
may say rot, but if you mixed with those
you represent you would find that the
people view this matter in different
manner. It seems to me that some pro-
test ought to be made in this oonnec
ton. 1t is matter Of small concern to
me whether the future ruler of this
country is genuine article or spurious
one. The motion was made because the
child was born in the royal family, and
the house has right to ask what par
ticular blessing the royal family has con-
terred upon the nation. We are told
that the Queen has ruled for half CEN
fury. l beg to correct this by saying
that her majesty has reigned, not ruled
The house is asked to rejoice because q
child is born. But up to the present
there are no means Of knowing his quail
fcatlons to reign over this great empire.
In course OF time he will tour the world
with rumors Of morganatic marriages in
his train. Cries of dissent As the
house has not found time to vote condo.
lenoe with the widows, orphans, and 9TH
ers who are suffering from the terrible
colliery calamity in Wales. / protest
against the present mummery. ..2
There is more truth than poetry in the
protest Of Kier Hardie. He is true
representative Of the working Glasses,
who until few years ago had no spokes-
man ii the British parliament. He I'M
expressed the sentiments Of
The democracy Of the United Kingdom,
who have found it q great burden 70.
maintain il idleness and luxury the
members g the roy tamil and their
numerous PROF eny of arist socratic pau
Il