Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1898-12-10

OF the people, Long live the Bishopp'
for his desire for the equal rights and lib
critics of the Irish people was sincere and
we'll known. This departure of the Bishop
caused the Government much alarm and
much uneasiness to Lord Charlenont,
who saw that the Presidency of the con-
vention was of vital Importance to the
country and the master key of his own
Importance. He had his little, as we'll as
his great feelings, and both were set into
action by this dilemma.
Charlemont knew full we'll that if the
prelate were at the head of the conven-
ton he would lose all weight with the
government and all influence with the
people. His friends, therefore, anticipat-
ed every means to insure his nomination
to the Presidency. This was the very
step the government desired; Charlemont
could be managed. He Involuntary be-
came the tool of the Government, whilst
he fancied he was laboring in the service
of the people.
From this moment the neutralizing sys-
tenn by which its President wished to
conduct that assembly became obvious.
Everybody might foresee that not only
the convention, but perhaps the volun.
teer association, were likely to droop.
1t was artfully insinuated to Charlie
mont by the friends of the Government
that the peace of the country was consid-
cred to be in his hands; that he had ac-
cepted a situation of the most response
BILE nature, and that if he did not pos
sess sufficient influence to cur. the con-
vention he ought at once to resign the
trust, and thereby give the Parliament
ground of requiring the immediate disso-
luton of its unconstitutional rival.
He adopted the suggestions of the cour-
tiers and was led blindly to that decep-
tious course. In fine, he lost himself; he
sacrificed his country and determined on
line of proceeding entirely unworthy of
his former conduct; if he could not gov
ern, he resolved to temporize, divide,
neutralize and dissolve the assembly.
This fatal system was eventually sue
cessful, and Charlemont effected the dis
solution of that body, whose confidence
had raised him to so glorious an emf
hence, by which the English Government
now foresaw the possibility of recaptur-
ing Irish independence.
The proceedings of the convention were
carried on for some time with the utmost
| rao,,lor;t,- Isioo1 ,,raeaufaI t,;e rafO~,,,
bill in Parliament on November u, and
storm followed, which all eyewitness
described as terrific. The Attorney
General of Ireland, a Mr.. Yelverton,
jumped to his feet and declared that a
parliamentary body wanted no orders on
the point of the bayopet from a military
loEganization Gratfau. though he had
quarreled with Flood on the need of such
a bill, supported it when presented, but,
after hot debates for and against it, it
was rejected by vote Of l4S to So. The
debate and the voting consumed all Sat
urday, the 30th.
One hundred aud thirty-eight of the
majority were placemen, and the very
persons OIL whom the reform were in
tended to operate. at is remarkable, "
says Sir Jonah Darlington, THAT it was
l3S placemen that rejected the reform bill
of 1888, and that it was the same number
of placemen who carried the Union bill
of 1900, which, if the reform had sue
ceeded, never could have been passed.
Upon this very decision ultimately de-
pended the existence of Irish independ-
ence.
By this fatal dilemma resistance or dis
solution remained to the convention. The
leaders of that body determined that a
day or two should be taken on the best
course of proceeding. But Charlemoni
dreaded the consequence of discussion,
and decided rather to betray his trust
and dissolve the convention. Thus he
began to extinguish that institution tc
which he owed his celebrity and to para
lyze that popular spirit to which alone
Ireland was indebted for its constitution
and independence.
Sunday was passed between his indie
cision and his timidity. In his weak
mind pride and patriotism we're ranged
on the one side, but imbecility and {
sense of incapacity to meet the crisis
blinded him to the nature of that insid
ious conduct. He had a meeting of his
friends, most of whom had the same feel
ings as himself, and decided upon a dia
bolical course.
On Monday morning he repaired to thu
rotunda before the usual hour of sitting
None but his own immediate partisan
were aware of his intention. The meet
ing was expected to be most important
and the delegates had no suspicion of Hi
Lordship's early attendance.
On his taking the chair delegate i'm
mediately arose to ask a question
Charlemont became alarmed; protractet
statement might give time for the ar
rival of delegates, when all his object
would surely be frustrated. He at ono
took step which had scarcely parable
for duplicity, and which, though of tn
shallowest nature, proved the most effect
tual.
He instantly silenced the member a
being ont of order. on the ground tina